Genetic, Ecological, and Chemical Diversity of Artemisia in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, Libya

Abstract

This paper presents a structured critical review of the genetic, ecological, and chemical diversity of Artemisia in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, Libya, with particular emphasis on Artemisia herba-alba, the species most represented in the available Libyan literature for the region. Evidence was compiled from genetic, morphometric, ecological, chemical, and bioactivity studies, while the bibliographic details of key references were re-examined using publisher records, scientific indexes, and botanical nomenclatural resources. The principal Libyan molecular study published in 2019, which sampled 18 individuals across different elevation classes, reported high proportions of polymorphic bands and notable separation of the higher-elevation group; however, the sample size and marker system do not support extrapolation to broad population-level estimates. Verified Libyan chemical evidence also indicates more than one compositional profile: a 2015 study reported a chrysanthenone- and chrysanthenyl-acetate-rich profile, whereas a 2025 study from Zintan described a camphor–thujone-dominant profile. The current evidence therefore does not justify adoption of a fixed list of Libyan chemotypes without standardized sampling across broader spatial and seasonal scales. Environmental and morphometric studies indicate that elevation, grazing, soil properties, and local conditions are important factors in explaining differences among populations, while rangeland degradation and extreme rainfall events warrant continued monitoring. The review concludes that the key research priority is not simply to increase isolated descriptive studies, but to establish an integrated design combining voucher specimens, population genomics or SNP-based approaches, flow cytometry, standardized analysis of oils and extracts, spatial environmental data, and explicit assessment of the strength of biological and clinical evidence.