SET-ASIDES AS A GOVERNANCE INSTRUMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF STEPPE ECOSYSTEMS: CASE OF TIARET REGION (ALGERIA)

Abstract

Land degradation in steppe ecosystems represents a major environmental and governance challenge in arid and semi-arid regions. In Algeria, overgrazing, weak regulation of pastoral practices, and increasing climate variability have accelerated ecosystem degradation. This study examines set-asides (mise en défens) as a governance-based land management instrument aimed at restoring degraded steppe ecosystems while balancing ecological sustainability and socio-economic needs. Focusing on the steppe zones of Tiaret Province (Ain Dheb, Chehaima, and Naima) over the period 2018–2022, the study integrates institutional data, field observations, and spatio-temporal analysis based on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to evaluate the ecological and governance outcomes of grazing exclusion policies. Rather than merely assessing vegetation cover, NDVI is used as an indicator of ecosystem response to regulatory interventions and grazing pressure control. The results show that set-asides contribute to improved vegetation dynamics, reduced grazing pressure, and enhanced territorial regulation through controlled access mechanisms. However, their long-term effectiveness remains contingent upon participatory governance, enforcement capacity, and alignment between livestock numbers and ecological carrying capacity. The findings highlight the central role of adaptive land governance in combating desertification and promoting sustainable land management in dryland contexts.