Abstract:
Oasis agroecosystem is experiencing an accelerated degradation due to technical
impacts caused essentially by poor farming practices and lack of maintenance which
promoted the establishment of invasive species like black rats and caused a lot of damage to
many crops. In this study habitat preferences of black rats (Rattus rattus) in palm groves were
studied. A total of 10 date groves were selected for our study. A detailed survey was carried
out in all vegetation alliances for any obvious signs of rats (tracks, faecal pellets, chewed
vegetation, runs, or burrows) and their presence or absence was noted. Sightings of live rats
were recorded. Their presence was confirmed by the trapping operations applied at some
localities. Our results showed that rats preferred habitats providing a dense vegetation cover.
Two clearly definable habitat types could be recognized: The dense herbaceous cover (Reeds,
ruches, and brome) that dominates most ditches and irrigation canals surrounding the date
groves and date palms that suffer from lack of maintenance
