Desertification and Regeneration of Steppe Natural Resources: A Case Study in the Wilaya of Naama, Algeria

Objectives: The aim of this study is to establish a genuine participatory management approach involving all stakeholders, including citizens, in the fight against desertification within the degraded steppe region with its unique natural and economic characteristics. This approach becomes essential as it presents the only viable alternative to the obsolete tribal rule. Methods: We adopted a descriptive approach to assess the condition of pastures using satellite images and administrative data to track their development. Additionally, we documented the anti-desertification activities undertaken by various agencies and evaluated their effectiveness. Results: The findings indicate that the core issue lies not in the technologies or the steppe environment, but rather in the overexploitation of natural resources by actors and farmers. Despite the alarming statistics, such as "desertification expanding from 1.5% to 49.5% between 1957 and 2002" and "a 70% loss of vegetation cover between 1976 and 2018," coupled with overgrazing and a doubling of livestock numbers, authorities drilled "4,100 deep wells between 1993 and 2016" for agricultural rehabilitation, which ultimately exacerbated pasture deterioration. Interestingly, the Algerian-Moroccan border pastures (the military zone) experienced a remarkable renewal of vegetation cover, attributed to the deterrence of citizen infiltration by soldiers, resulting in violations decreasing from 50 to 03 incidents only between 2017 and 2019. Conclusions: The study underscores the critical need for participatory management involving "actors and farmers," considering the unique natural, social, and environmental aspects of the pastures. Preserving these resources requires raising awareness and implementing deterrence measures to ensure their sustainable protection.