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).
Location 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.“Al Marsa Park : Map and Location”. www.carte-algerie.com. Archived from the original on 2023-06-11. Accessed on 2023-06-11.
History El-Marsa Forest is overseen by Decree No. 45-84, dated February 18, 1984,“Official Gazette No. 8” (PDF). Joradp. February 21, 1984. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-06-11. 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.“Official Gazette No. 4” (PDF). Joradp. January 14, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-06-11.
The shrubs that populate this forest were the source of its Phoenician name, "Roussegonia," which translates to "Head of the Shrubs."Atlas archéologique de l'Algérie | INHA Archived September 04, 2017 at Wayback Machine.
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."Le plan de sauvegarde renvoyé sine die". vitaminedz.com. Archived from the original on 2021-11-02. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
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.Plin., Natural History, Book V, §20. Archived 2023-02-21 at Wayback Machine.
Reforestation 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.Afforestation-General Directorate of Forestry (Algeria)
Wildlife
There are a few mammal species in the forest, such as the Algerian hedgehog (Atelerix algirus),Stone, R. D. (1995). "Algerian hedgehog (Atelerix algirus)". In IUCN Insectivore, Tree Shrew and Elephant Shrew Specialist Group (ed.). Eurasian insectivores and tree shrews : status survey and conservation action plan. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. pp. 8–10. . the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus),Hoffman, R.S.; Smith, A.T. (2005). "Order Lagomorpha". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 205–206. . OCLC 62265494. the cape hare (Lepus capensis),Johnston, C.H.; Robinson, T.J.; Child, M.F.; Relton, C. (2019). "Lepus capensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T41277A45186750. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T41277A45186750.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021. and the wild boar (Sus scrofa).Oliver, W. L. R.; et al. (1993). "The Common Wild Pig (Sus scrofa)". In Oliver, W. L. R. (ed.). Pigs, Peccaries, and Hippos – 1993 Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN SSC Pigs and Peccaries Specialist Group. pp. 112–121. .
See also
Muqras Mountain Chott Tinsilt Lake Sidi Mohamed Benali
References