FOREST CONDITIONS 15 



The forests of Nefze and Mogod are in the northern group, 

 but of much less value than those described in the preceding 

 paragraph. They are for the most part covered with a scanty 

 coppice of holm oak, wild olive, etc., which ranges in spots 

 into mere brush. 



The central plateau forests, as distinguished from the north- 

 ern group, produce no revenue, but are maintained for the 

 protection of springs and water supply and to fill local domestic 

 needs. They have been denuded by excessive cutting, by 

 grazing, and by burns; indeed, they are still, as they have been 

 in the past, periodically burned over during excessively dry 

 seasons. Their chief species are aleppo pine and holm oak, 

 with a smaller quantity of wild olive, carob tree, thuya, juniper, 

 and cypress. So poor is the condition of these central plateau 

 forests that an official report in the files of the Djebel-Mansour 

 ranger station refers to the areas covered as " ruins of the 

 former forests." 



According to data supplied by Zon: In localities above 1000 

 metres (3281 feet) the soils are composed of hard calcareous 

 rocks unsuitable for agriculture, bare or covered with low shrubs 

 and forests. Below are found pastures. At a height of 600 

 to 2000 metres (1968 to 6562 feet) above sea level, on the 

 plateaus the cultivation of crops is possible and profitable. 

 In this zone, especially on the northern slopes, are found the 

 best forests. Between the altitudes of 400 and 600 metres 

 (1312 and 1968 feet) the forests are still of good quality but 

 shrubs become evident. Agriculture is still possible in this 

 zone. The lowest zone situated between the sea level and an 

 altitude of 400 metres (1312 feet) is covered with sand dunes, 

 lakes, small rivers, and valleys. The valleys are under crops 

 and vineyards. 



Here also grow olive trees and palms. Where the soil and 

 climatic conditions are unfavorable for agricultural crops, they 

 are being used for grazing of cattle. In the lower zone forests 

 are almost entirely lacking and when they do occur are of poor 

 quality. The entire land surface of Tunisia may be classified 

 as follows: 



