| El-Marsa Forest | |
|---|---|
  | |
| Geography | |
| Location |  Algeria |
| Coordinates | 36°48′40″N3°14′50″E / 36.81111°N 3.24722°E |
| Elevation | 50 m (160 ft) |
| Area | 9.5 acres (3.8 ha) |
El-Marsa Forest, also referred to as Forest Roussegonia or Aguellou n'Tamentfoust, is a forest situated within the commune of El-Marsa, within the Algiers Province. It is overseen by the Directorate of Forests and the Green Belt (CFA), and its activities are subject to the supervision of the General Directorate of Forests (DGF).
El-Marsa Forest is situated at a distance of 18 kilometers east of Algiers, 70 kilometers east of Tipaza, and 4 kilometers from the Mediterranean Sea. It is located within the commune of El Marsa, within the Mitidja Plain, in the Petite Kabylie. [1]
El-Marsa Forest is overseen by Decree No. 45-84, dated February 18, 1984, [2] which has been amended and supplemented by Decree No. 09-07, dated January 11, 2007. The forest constitutes the eastern boundary of the Bay of Algiers. [3]
The shrubs that populate this forest were the source of its Phoenician name, "Roussegonia," which translates to "Head of the Shrubs." [4]
The proximity of this woodland to the Tamenfoust Port also contributed to its Amazigh name, Aguellou n'Tamentfoust, which translates to "the forest on the right side." This name is derived from its location on the right side relative to the mountaineers who descended towards Icosium (ancient Algiers) in past centuries. [5]
El-Marsa Forest is situated to the northeast of the ancient archaeological site of Roussegonia, to the east of the old city and the Tamentfoust Port. This forest once constituted the perimeter of the Bordj Tamentfoust, an Ottoman fortress dating back to the period of the Regency of Algiers. [6]
El-Marsa Forest has benefited from the national reforestation plan, which was designed to protect and enhance its natural forest resources. To protect the forest, the perimeter has been enclosed with fences; however, this area has been significantly reduced from 13 hectares to 9.5 hectares due to the expansion of the urban fabric. [7]
There are a few mammal species in the forest, such as the Algerian hedgehog (Atelerix algirus), [8] the European rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ), [9] the cape hare (Lepus capensis), [10] and the wild boar ( Sus scrofa ). [11]
Algiers Province is a province (wilayah) in Algeria, named after its capital, Algiers, which is also the national capital. It is adopted from the old French department of Algiers and has a population of about 8 million. It is the most densely populated province of Algeria, and also the smallest by area.
The North African hedgehog or Algerian hedgehog, is a mammal species in the family Erinaceidae native to Algeria, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Spain, and Tunisia. Little is known about this hedgehog, even though the most common breed of domesticated hedgehogs is a result of crossing a four-toed hedgehog with a North African hedgehog. Because this species of hedgehog is native to Africa, it has been suggested that it was introduced by humans to the other countries where it is now found, including Spain and the Canary Islands. Of the four African hedgehog species, the North African hedgehog is the only one of these hedgehogs that occurs outside Africa. Because the North African hedgehog has such a wide habitat range and has a seemingly stable population, both in the wild and in the domesticated capacity, it does not appear to currently be at risk.
Bordj Tamentfoust is a fort in the city of Tamentfoust, Algeria. The fort, built on the highest point of Tamentfoust, at the eastern end of the Bay of Algiers, is among several forts built to guard the city during the Regency period. With the exception of Bordj Tamentfoust, most of the forts no longer exist or in a good condition.
Mahelma Forest, also known as Oulad Monedel Forest, is a forest located in Mahelma, within the Mitja region of Algiers Province. It is managed by the Directorate of Forests of Algiers (CFA), under the supervision of the Directorate General of Forests (DGF). The forest is situated in a rocky area to the southeast of the city of Mahelma. As a consequence of urbanization, the forest has diminished in size to 9.5 hectares.
Zeralda Forest is a forest located in Zeralda, in the Mitidja region of Algiers Province. It is managed by the Forest Conservation Authority of Algiers (CFA), which operates under the supervision of the General Directorate of Forests (DGF).
El-Mouradia Forest or Atlas Forest is situated in El-Mouradia, within Algiers Province. It is overseen by the Directorate of Forests and Green Belt of the Province of Algiers, under the guidance of the General Directorate of Forestry Algeria.
The Réghaïa forest or Kadous forest is a forest located in Réghaïa in the wilaya of Algiers, Algeria.
