TUN

Tunisia is characterised by a large diversity of habitats and ecosystems that translates into impressive biodiversity. Located in the southern Mediterranean basin, the country is at the crossroads of ancient civilisations that exist throughout the basin, a feature that has enriched the country’s species diversity, due to various exchanges and introductions that have occurred over time.

Tunisia comprises wetlands, cultivated land, forests, and both urban and unexploited land. The desert comprises around 40% of the latter. Altogether, there are 148 protected areas in Tunisia, which cover 7.91% of terrestrial area, and only 1.04% marine. Terrestrial ecosystems consist of forest formations (green oak, cork oak, Aleppo pine, and scrubland derived from degraded areas). The country also possesses Saharan pseudo-steppe formations and pseudo-sylvan areas and several specific formations of wetlands (grasslands, riparian formations, peat bogs) and saline habitats (halophyte vegetation).

The biodiversity of marine and coastal ecosystems is rich and extremely diverse due to the wide assortment of environments along the coast. Tunisia has a coastline 1,148 km long and a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles. The continental shelf covers an extensive area and favours the establishment of sea grasses, enabling the shores to be used by turtles for spawning. All of the established Protected Areas in Tunisia are under national ministry governance.