Djerba: Testimony to a settlement pattern in an island territory

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Djerba: Testimony to a settlement pattern in an island territory from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• The Challenge of Renewing Djerba as a Destination in the Age of Sustainable Development and Digital Technology

  Djerba's tourism system, traditionally characterized by mass beach tourism concentrated in its eastern coastal area, faces significant challenges in renewing its image amid the demands of sustainable development and digital technology. The study reveals that while Djerba is rich in heritage assets, its tourism product has shown limited resilience to crises, leading to the permanent closure of several hotels—a sign of the end of a tourism cycle. To address this, local stakeholders are diversifying offerings and leveraging mobile applications (m-tourism) to promote cultural assets, aiming for more localized and sustainable tourism experiences. The research employs field observations, interviews, official statistics, and webgraphic analysis, comparing findings with theoretical frameworks to explore how Djerba can transition from its mass tourism roots to a more sustainable and digitally integrated model.

  Hellal, M., & Bouchaddakh, T. (2026). The Challenge of Renewing Djerba as a Destination in the Age of Sustainable Development and Digital Technology. Athens Journal of Tourism, 12(4), 333–350. https://doi.org/10.30958/ajt.12-4-3

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• Comparative Notes on the Jewish Arabic Dialects of Gabes and Djerba (Tunisia)

  Jewish Arabic dialects of Gabes and Djerba, though geographically close, exhibit significant phonological and syntactic distinctions. While Jewish Gabes retains three phonemic vowels and retroflex sibilants, Jewish Djerba shows a reduced vowel system with fronted palatal sibilants. Syntactically, the dialects diverge in future tense markers—Jewish Gabes uses both 'bāš' and 'ḥabb', whereas Jewish Djerba employs 'ḥa', potentially derived from 'ḥabb'. Both dialects also feature topicalisation strategies akin to Chinese-style constructions. This study combines linguistic analysis with field recordings, offering insights into the historical and sociolinguistic dynamics of North African Jewish communities.

  Gębski, W. (2025). Comparative Notes on the Jewish Arabic Dialects of Gabes and Djerba (Tunisia). Interconnected Traditions: Semitic Languages, Literatures, Cultures—A Festschrift for Geoffrey Khan, 399–428. https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0464.13

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• Résistance et Dévotion. Anciens sanctuaires ibadites de Djerba

  A meticulous historical and architectural study of 48 Ibadite mosques on the island of Djerba reveals the resilience and enduring devotion of a distinct Islamic sect, preserving their legacy through time. Virginie Prevost's work, enriched by Axel Derriks' photography since 2009, documents these ancient sanctuaries to safeguard their memory. The research combines thorough documentation with architectural analysis, offering insights into the Ibadite settlement pattern and their cultural significance in an island territory.

  Chekhab-Abudaya, M. (2025). Résistance et Dévotion. Anciens sanctuaires ibadites de Djerba. Bulletin Critique Des Annales Islamologiques, 39. https://doi.org/10.4000/13v52

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• Use of otolith microchemical and morphological analyses for stock discrimination of Sarpa salpa on two Tunisian islands, Djerba and Kerkennah

  A groundbreaking study reveals that otolith morphological and microchemical analyses can effectively distinguish between Sarpa salpa fish stocks on the Tunisian islands of Djerba and Kerkennah, marking a significant advancement in fish stock discrimination methods. The research also highlights notable differences between male and female stocks within each population, along with high fluctuating asymmetry in both populations. This dual-method approach, combining traditional morphological analysis with innovative microchemical techniques, demonstrates their complementary power in assessing fish stock dynamics, offering valuable insights for fisheries management and conservation efforts.

  Ben Ghorbel, M., Mejri, M., Adjibayo, H. M. F., Chalh, A., Quignard, J.-P., Trabelsi, M., & Bouriga, N. (2024). Use of otolith microchemical and morphological analyses for stock discrimination of Sarpa salpa on two Tunisian islands, Djerba and Kerkennah. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 104. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0025315423000954

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• New Records of Spheciformes Wasps (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Apoidea) for Djerba Island, Tunisia

  Researchers have documented four previously unrecorded species of Spheciformes wasps on Djerba Island, Tunisia, including one from the Crabronidae family (genus Tachysphex) and three from the Philanthidae family (genus Cerceris). This discovery expands the known biodiversity of the island and contributes to the understanding of wasp distribution in Tunisia. The study provides detailed morphological descriptions and illustrations for these species, offering new insights into their taxonomy and ecology. By analyzing specimens collected on Djerba, the researchers aimed to fill gaps in regional entomological records while highlighting the importance of island ecosystems like those protected under UNESCO's World Heritage designation.

  Khedher, H. B., Yıldırım, E.,. (2024). NEW RECORDS OF SPHECIFORMES WASPS (INSECTA, HYMENOPTERA, APOIDEA) FOR DJERBA ISLAND, TUNISIA. Bulletin of the Iraq Natural History Museum, 18(1), 225–235. https://doi.org/10.26842/binhm.7.2024.18.1.0225

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• Techno-environmental optimal sizing and dynamic behavior of a hybrid system feeding a large-scale SWRO desalination system: The case of Djerba Island, Tunisia

  A hybrid renewable energy system, combining solar and wind power with battery storage, can significantly reduce the cost and environmental impact of large-scale seawater desalination. This study demonstrates that an optimal configuration—60.513 MWp solar panels and 13.64 MW wind turbines—lowers water production costs to $0.414/m³ over a 25-year project lifecycle, compared to the current $0.585/m³. The research used hybrid optimization techniques and dynamic system simulations, incorporating real meteorological data from Djerba Island, Tunisia. This approach not only enhances energy efficiency but also provides a scalable model for future desalination projects in water-scarce regions.

  Hamdi, M., Gtari, O., & Hazami, M. (2024). Techno-environmental optimal sizing and dynamic behavior of a hybrid system feeding a large-scale SWRO desalination system: The case of Djerba Island, Tunisia. Energy Exploration & Exploitation, 43(1), 378–409. https://doi.org/10.1177/01445987241285463

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• An anthropogenic site for Riella Mont. (Riellaceae, Sphaerocarpales) in Djerba (Tunisia)

  A rare and ecologically significant discovery of four Riella species, including one new to Tunisia (Riella bialata), was made in a small anthropogenic pond on Djerba island. This finding highlights the unique biodiversity supported by human-altered habitats, with significant differences in development, life strategies, and ecology among the species. The study combined field observations with spore culture analysis to elucidate their presence in this temporary habitat, raising conservation concerns due to its vulnerability.

  Ben Osman, I., Hugonnot, V., Daoud-Bouattour, A., & Muller, S. D. (2024). An anthropogenic site for Riella Mont. (Riellaceae, Sphaerocarpales) in Djerba (Tunisia). Journal of Bryology, 46(4), 263–268. https://doi.org/10.1080/03736687.2024.2421127

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