oak heterogeneity shaping arthropod diversity and ecological dynamics in boumezrane forest (souk ahras, algeria)

The boumezrane forest in northeastern algeria is a biodiversity hotspot characterized by a mosaic of oak species and varied habitats. this study examines how habitat heterogeneity influences arthropod diversity across five forest habitats: cork oak, zeen oak, mixed oak formations, afares oak, and low scrubland. a total of 116 arthropod taxa, spanning 44 families and nine orders, were recorded, with coleoptera emerging as the most diverse group. the results reveal that habitat structure significantly influences arthropod assemblages, with low scrubland hosting the highest diversity and cork oak forests showing the lowest. unique taxa were most prevalent in transitional habitats, while shared species highlighted ecological connectivity between habitats. non-metric multidimensional scaling (nmds) and jaccard index analyses demonstrated distinct taxa compositions across habitats and vegetation strata. these findings highlight the critical role of habitat heterogeneity in shaping biodiversity and emphasize the need for conservation efforts tailored to the unique ecological features of oak-dominated landscapes.