@article{fdi:010090609,
  title = {{E}cological aspects and relationships of the emblematic {V}achellia spp. exposed to anthropic pressures and parasitism in natural hyper-arid ecosystems: ethnobotanical elements, morphology, and biological nitrogen fixation + [{C}orrection]},
  author = {{V}incent, {B}. and {B}ourillon, {J}ulie and {G}otty, {K}. and {B}oukcim, {H}. and {S}elosse, {M}. {A}. and {C}ambou, {A}ur{\'e}lie and {D}amasio, {C}. and {V}oisin, {M}. and {B}oivin, {S}. and {F}igura, {T}. and {N}espoulous, {J}. and {G}aliana, {A}. and {M}aurice, {K}. and {D}ucousso, {M}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{A}l{U}la region in {S}audi {A}rabia has a rich history regarding mankind, local wildlife, and fertility islands suitable for leguminous species, such as the emblematic {V}achellia spp. desert trees. {I}n this region, we investigated the characteristics of desert legumes in two nature reserves ({S}haraan and {M}adakhil), at one archaeological site ({H}egra), and in open public domains et al. {W}ard and {J}abal {A}bu {O}ud. {B}iological nitrogen fixation ({BNF}), isotopes, and {N} and {C} contents were investigated through multiple lenses, including parasitism, plant tissues, species identification, plant maturity, health status, and plant growth. {T}he average {BNF} rates of 19 {V}achellia gerrardii and 21 {V}achellia tortilis trees were respectively 39 and 67%, with low signs of inner {N} content fluctuations (2.10-2.63% {N}) compared to other co-occurring plants. {T}he {BNF} of 23 {R}. raetam was just as high, with an average of 65% and steady inner {N} contents of 2.25 +/- 0.30%. {R}egarding parasitism, infected {V}achellia trees were unfazed compared to uninfected trees, thereby challenging the commonly accepted detrimental role of parasites. {O}verall, these results suggest that {V}achellia trees and {R}. raetam shrubs exploit {BNF} in hyper-arid environments to maintain a high {N} content when exposed to parasitism and grazing. {T}hese findings underline the pivotal role of plant-bacteria mutualistic symbioses in desert environments. {A}ll ecological traits and relationships mentioned are further arguments in favor of these legumes serving as keystone species for ecological restoration and agro-silvo-pastoralism in the {A}l{U}la region.},
  keywords = {{H}yper-arid desert ; {M}istletoe ; {M}utualism ; {N}-15 natural abundance ; {R}etama raetam ; {V}achellia gerrardii ; {V}achellia tortilis subsp. raddiana ; {W}itch ; broom ; {ARABIE} {SAOUDITE} ; {ZONE} {ARIDE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{P}lanta},
  volume = {259},
  numero = {6},
  pages = {132 [18 p.] + [1 p.]},
  ISSN = {0032-0935},
  year = {2024},
  DOI = {10.1007/s00425-024-04407-0},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010090609},
}