Abstract
As a first study, soil and water properties of the Oum Souid wetland, a lake far west of the Ghardaïa region (Algeria), were investigated. Despite its ecological, tourist, and socio-economic importance, the wetland is little known, as it is situated in a biotope with an arid bioclimate among dune formations. Flora and avifauna inventories were conducted in the wetland to assess the studied site’s characteristic biodiversity. Vertical profiles from 0 cm to 90 cm deep were sampled. Fifty samples from each soil were prospected for organic matter, electrical conductivity (EC) and pH. Additional characteristics describing neighbouring water samples, including dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC), and pH, were also determined in situ. The census of bird and plant species revealed a biological richness, with 12 families of migratory birds and 21 botanical families identified. Soil analysis indicated a sandy-clay texture with little silt for all the profiles. However, some profiles were marked by a sandy-clay-loamy texture. The assessment of spatial variation revealed a moderately alkaline soil pH, high electrical conductivity, and fairly organic matter content. Water samples were characterised by a strongly alkaline pH, slight salinity, and a high dissolved oxygen rate. These findings underline the crucial role of the Oum Souid wetland as a biodiversity refuge within the Saharan environment and highlight the need for integrated, sustainable land management strategies to ensure the long-term conservation of its ecological functions and natural heritage.