UNESCO - MAB Biosphere Reserves Directory

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			Biosphere Reserve Information
			Tunisia ILES ZEMBRA ET ZEMBRETA


	General Description		This biosphere reserve is situated in the Gulf of Tunis close to the Cap-Bon peninsula. Zembra Island is a mountainous island with a peak of 435 meters, consisting mostly of a Mediterranean maquis with Olea europea, Pistacia lentiscus, Arbutus unedo and Erica multiflora as dominating species. The Zembretta Island is located between the Zembra Island and the Cap-Bon. This island is a large rock formation, 400 meters long and 50 meters wide, and characterized by halophytic vegetation. The rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus is present on both islands although it does not occur on the African continent. In the waters, Delphinus delphis can frequently be observed. The area is rich in waterfowls and marine invertebrate life. People have changed Zembra Island over many centuries, resulting in a degraded maquis landscape. However, today the area is strictly protected and no resource use takes place since only ten people live within the biosphere reserve (1999).
	Major ecosystem type		Evergreen sclerophyllous forests, woodlands or scrubs including marine/coastal component
	Major habitats & land cover types		Islands; shrub vegetation of pistachio (Pistacia lentiscus) and olive (Olea europaea); maquis consisting of pistachio, olive, Erica arborea and Calycotome villosa including rare species such as Iberis semperflorens, Dianthus hermaensis and Poterium spinosum; marine vegetation of red algae (Rhodophyceae), including Phyllophora nervosa and Chondrus crispus, brown algae (Phaeophycae), including Laminaria rodriguezii and Dictyota dichotoma, and green seaweeds including Udotea petiolata and Caulerpa prolifera
	Location		37°06'N; 10°48'E
	Area (hectares)
	Total		791
	Core area(s)		550 (of which marine: 400)
	Buffer zone(s)		241
	Transition area(s) when given
	Altitude (metres above sea level)		-120 to +435
	Year designated		1977
	Administrative authorities		Ministère de l'Agriculture Direction générale des forêts

	Brief description		Conservation and rehabilitation of fragile ecosystems
	*Specific variables...*
	Abiotic		n.a.
	Biodiversity		Conservation, restoration/rehabilitation/redevelopment.
	Socio-economic		n.a.
	Integrated monitoring		n.a.

	Contact address		Abdelhamid Karem Direction générale des forêts, Ministère de l'agriculture 30, Rue Alain Savary 1002 TUNIS - BELVEDERE Tunisia
	Telephone		(216.71) 891 497
	Fax		(216.71) 801 922
	E-mail

	Contact address		Abdessalem Amara Réserve de biosphère Iles Zembra et Zembretta C.R.D.A. de Nabeul 8000 NABEUL Tunisia
	Telephone		(216.72) 285 685
	Fax		(216.72) 285 321
	E-mail

	Contact address		Mohamed Ridha Fekih Direction générale des forêts, Ministère de l'agriculture 30, Rue Alain Savary 1002 Tunis Belvédère Tunisia
	Telephone		(216) 71 848 892
	Fax		(216) 71 801 922
	E-mail

	Contact address		Mustapha Garbaya Service des parcs nationaux, Ministère de l'agriculture 30, Rue Alain Savary 1002 Tunis Belvédère Tunisia
	Telephone		(216) 71 891 497
	Fax		(216) 71 801 922
	E-mail

			n.a.

Last updated: 17/06/2002