Inventory and the flora cartography methodology using the combination of remote sensing and geographical information system. Case of the Ain Rich region (Algeria)

With an area of 146107.8 ha, the region of Ain Rich was chosen as a pilot zone for the methodology application, which combines remote sensing and GIS. This methodology has two objectives: the flora inventory and the cartography of vegetation at a medium scale. The ecological analysis of the result obtained shows a general tendency of degraded pathways. The best Stipa tenacissima cover represents just 2.63% of the region area, then 22.2% of the area occupied by degraded steppes of Stipa tenacissima and Artemesia herba Alba. However, the degraded steppes (Noaea mucronata) without a great pastoral interest, occupy 16.7% of the total area. The results obtained are promising if future continuous daily observation is ensured (e.g. Earth Observing System and SPOT Vegetation).