Size structure and dynamics of the common shrubs in Omayed Biosphere Reserve in the western Mediterranean coast of Egypt

The population structure of 15 common shrubby species of the Omayed Biosphere Reserve (Egypt) was evaluated in terms of size distribution. These species are 3 phanerophytes (Lycium europaeum, Phlomis floccosa and Thymelaea hirsuta) and 12 chamaephytes (Anabasis articulata, Artemisia herba-alba, Artemisia monosperma, Arthrocnemum macrostachyum Deverra tortuosa, Echiochilon fruticosum, Gymnocarpos decander, Haloc-nemum strobilaceum, Helianthemum lippii, Limoniastrum monopetalum, Noaea mucronata and Suaeda vera). The size estimations were used to classify the population of each species into 9 size classes : the first and second classes were chosen to represent the seedling and juvenile stages. The absolute and relative frequency of individuals and mean height, diameter and height to diameter ratio per individual in each size class were also determined. The present study indicated the size structures of the investigated species were belonged to 6 types of size distributions : more or less inverse J-shaped distribution (e. g. Halocnemum strobilaceum, Echio-chilon fruticosum and Helianthemum lippii), positively skewed distributions towards the small (i. e. young) individuals (e. g. Lycium europaeum, Arthrocnemum macrostachyum and Anabasis articulata), more or less J-shaped distribution (e. g. Noaea mucronata and Artemisia monosperma), approximately symmetrical (i. e. bell shaped) distribution (Phlomis floccosa), bimodal size distribution (e. g. Thymelaea hirsuta, Limoniastrum monopetalum and Suaeda vera) and more or less stationary size distribution (e. g. Gymnocarpos decander, Deverra tortuosa and Artemisia herbaalba).La structure des populations de 15 arbustes communs de la Réserve de Biosphère d’Omayed (Égypte) a été évaluée en terme de distribution de taille. Les espèces étudiées sont 3 phanérophytes (Lycium europaeum, Phlomis floccosa et Thymelaea hirsuta) et 12 chamaephytes (Anabasis articulata, Artemisia herba-alba, Artemisia monosperma, Arthrocnemum macrostachyum, Deverra tortuosa, Echiochilon fruticosum, Gymnocarpos decander, Halocnemum strobilaceum, Helianthemum lippii, Limoniastrum monopetalum, Noaea mucronata et Suaeda vera). Les estimations de taille ont permis de classer les populations de chaque espèce dans 9 classes de taille ; les première et deuxième classes ont été choisies pour représenter les plantules et les étapes juvéniles de ces arbustes. La fréquence absolue et relative des individus et de leur taille ainsi que leur diamètre et le rapport de la taille moyenne sur le diamètre par individu ont été également déterminés dans chaque classe de taille. Cette étude a permis de mettre en évidence différentes structures de taille appartenant à 6 types de distributions : (i) proche d’une distribution “J” inverse (par exemple Halocnemum strobilaceum, Echiochilon fruticosum et Helianthemum lippii), (ii) distribution modifiée comparativement à une distribution “J” formée d’individus juvéniles (par exemple Lycium europaeum, Arthrocnemum macrostachyum et Anabasis articulata), (iii) proche d’une distribution symétrique (par exemple Noaea mucronata et Artemisia monosperma), (iv) distribution “en cloche” (par exemple Phlomis floccosa), (v) distribution bimodale (par exemple Thymelaea hirsuta, Limoniastrum monopetalum et Suaeda vera) et (vi) proche d’une distribution stationnaire (par exemple Gymnocarpos decander, Deverra tortuosa et Artemisia herba-alba).Al-Sodany Yassin M. Size structure and dynamics of the common shrubs in Omayed Biosphere Reserve in the western Mediterranean coast of Egypt. In: Ecologia mediterranea, tome 29 n°1, 2003. pp. 39-48

A New Record to the Flora of Saudi Arabia: Ipomoea carneaJacq., Convolvulaceae

Ipomoea carneaJacq.(Family Convolvulaceae) form Jazan, Saudi Arabia is described as a new record species to the flora of Saudi Arabia. The farmers use it as ornamental and hedge plant along the edge of their farm. The rapid growth rate, spread, and adaptability from aquatic to xerophytic habitats indicate that this plant may potentially become an invasive species in the next decade in that area and may cause other ecological disaster. Besides causing problems as a pasture weed, I. carneais reported to be a toxic plant

Arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi (Glomales) in Egypt. III: Distribution and ecology in some plants in El-Omayed Biosphere Reserve

Roots and rhizospheric soils of 26 plant species belonging to 18 families representing five different habitats at El-Omayed Biosphere Reserve were collected and examined for arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) associations. Plant species recorded in the habitat of coastal sand dunes had the highest percentage of infection and spore number, followed by those of non-saline depressions, while those of saline depressions showed the lowest percentage of infection and spore numbers. There was a significant negative correlation between the percentage of infection and both salinity and phosphorus concentration in the study area. Cluster analysis in correlation matrices indicated that spore numbers, CaCO3, Fe, percentage of infection and K were closely correlated. KEY WORDS: Arbuscular mycorrhiza, habitats, sand dunes, salt marshes, Glomus Egyptian Journal of Botany Vol.5 2003: 19-2

Vegetation along an elevation gradient in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, Libya

Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar is an upland region which lies at the northeast part of Libya, in Cyrenaic. The study area is an N-S transect of about 30 km between El-Hamamah (near the sea level : 33 º 53 ´ N and 21 º 39 ´ E) to El-Bydda in the south (600 m above the sea level : 33 º 17 ´ N and 21 º 50 ´ E). This area is characterized by a wide physiographic variation that leads to distinguish of many habitats such as coastal saline sand flats, sand dunes, sand flats and hills, and inland plateau with terraces and wadis. 165 stands were sampled to analyze the vegetation of this area. 119 plant species were recorded (43 annuals and 76 perennials) including six endemic species. The composites have the highest contribution to the total flora, followed by the grasses and legumes. The application of two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) resulted in agglomerating of 30 vegetation groups at the level seven and six major ones at the levels three and two of this classification : Juniperus phoenicea – Sarcopoterium spinosum that occupies a wide elevation gradient, Crucianella maritima – Suaeda vermiculata along the seaward direction of the coastal hills, Retama raetam in the coastal sand flats, Pancratium maritimum – Ammophila arenaria in the coastal sand dunes, Cichorium spinosum and Limoniastrum monopetalum in the saline sand flats of the coastal plain. The application of the detrended correspondence analysis (DECORANA) indicates reasonable segregation between these vegetation groups. Juniperus phoenicea – Sarcopoterium spinosum group is the most prominent vegetation type in the study area (i. e. Mediterranean matorrals) where its diversity and cover increases with elevation reaching the Mediterranean forests at the highest elevated sub-humid zones.Le jbel Al-Akhdar représente une région de montagne située au nord-est de la Libye, en Cyrénaïque. Le secteur d’étude s’étend selon un transect nord-sud d’environ 30 kilomètres, entre El-Hamamah (près du niveau de la mer : 33 º 53’ N et 21 º 39’ E) et El-Bydda au sud (600 m au dessus du niveau de la mer : 33 º 17’ N et 21 º 50’ E). Ce secteur se caractèrise par une variation physiographique importante qui conduit à distinguer beaucoup d’habitats tels que les étendues sablonneuses et salées de la côte, les dunes de sable, les escarpements et les collines de sable, et le plateau interne comportant des terrasses et des oueds. 165 relevés ont été effectués pour analyser l’organisation de la végétation de ce secteur. 119 espèces végétales ont été recensées (43 annuelles et 76 pérennes) dont six espèces endémiques. Les composées ont la contribution la plus élevée vis à vis de toute la flore, suivies par les graminées et les légumineuses. L’application de l’analyse bi-directionnelle d’espèces indicatrices (TWINSPAN) aboutit à l’agglomération de 30 groupes de végétation au niveau sept et six : la communauté à Juniperus phoenicea – Sarcopoterium spinosum qui occupe un gradient altitudinal important, la communauté à Crucianella maritima – Suaeda vermiculata des collines côtières soumises aux influences marines, la communauté à Retama raetam des étendues sablonneuses côtières, la communauté à Pancratium maritimum – Ammophila arenaria des dunes de sable, et la communauté à Cichorium spinosum et Limoniastrum monopetalum des étendues sablonneuses et salées de la plaine côtière. L’application de l’analyse de correspondance de type DECORANA indique une ségrégation correcte entre ces divers groupes de communautés. La communauté à Juniperus phoenicea – Sarcopoterium spinosum (i. e. les matorrals méditerranéens) constitue le type de végétation le plus fréquent dans la zone d’étude ; ces matorrals se caractérisent par une augmentation de la diversité et du recouvrement parallèlement avec l’altitude, et ils entrent au contact des forêts méditerranéennes dans les secteurs sub-humides de plus haute altitude.Al-Sodany Yassin M., Shehata M. N., Shaltout Kamel H. Vegetation along an elevation gradient in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, Libya. In: Ecologia mediterranea, tome 29 n°2, 2003. pp. 125-137

Regression Models to Estimate Accumulation Capability of Six Metals by Two Macrophytes, Typha domingensis and Typha elephantina, Grown in an Arid Climate in the Mountainous Region of Taif, Saudi Arabia

In this study, we explored the capacity for two promising macrophytes, Typha domingensis and Typha elephantina, to be used for the surveillance of contamination by six metals, i.e., Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn, in the mountainous area of Taif City in Saudi Arabia. Regression models were generated in order to forecast the metal concentrations within the plants’ organs, i.e., the leaves, flowers, peduncles, rhizomes, and roots. The sediment mean values for pH and the six metals varied amongst the sampling locations for the respective macrophytes, indicating that similar life forms fail to indicate equivalent concentrations. For instance, dissimilar concentrations of the metals under investigation were observed within the organs of the two rooted macrophytes. The research demonstrated that the segregation of metals is a regular event in all the investigated species in which the metal concentrations vary amongst the different plant constituent types. In the current study, T. domingensis and T. elephantina varied in their capacity to absorb specific metals; the bioaccumulation of metals was greater within T. domingensis. The relationships between the observed and model-estimated metal levels, in combination with high R2 and modest mean averaged errors, offered an appraisal of the goodness of fit of most of the generated models. The t-tests revealed no variations between the observed and model-estimated concentrations of the six metals under investigation within the organs of the two macrophytes, which emphasised the precision of the models. These models offer the ability to perform hazard appraisals within ecosystems and to determine the reference criteria for sediment metal concentration. Lastly, T. domingensis and T. elephantina exhibit the potential for bioaccumulation for the alleviation of contamination from metals

Effect of Protection of Mountainous Vegetation against Over-Grazing and Over-Cutting in South Sinai, Egypt

In this study, we evaluated the species diversity, density, cover, and size index of plant species within and outside 37 enclosures in the South Sinai mountainous region (Egypt), which had been protected for six years (March 2012–March 2018) against over-grazing and over-cutting for medicinal and fuel purposes. Within and outside the enclosures, the plant species were recorded, and their density (individuals per 100 m2) and cover (cm per 100 cm) were estimated using the line-intercept method. The biovolume of each individual of each species was calculated as the average of its height and diameter. The species richness was calculated as the average number of species per enclosure, and the species turnover was calculated as the ratio between the total number of species and the species richness. The relative evenness was calculated using the Shannon–Weaver index, whereas the relative concentration of dominance was calculated using the Simpson index. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) was applied to ordinate the vegetation inside and outside the enclosures depending on the species cover. The unpaired t-test was applied to assess the statistically significant differences in the species density, cover, and biovolume inside and outside the enclosures. By the end of the six-year period, the vegetation pattern inside the enclosures became more or less stable, presumably because of the stopping of grazing and cutting, which also led to an increase in the plant diversity, density, and cover. In general, the protection of vegetation in South Sinai improved its diversity, density, and cover. In addition, the topographic and physiographic heterogeneity in this region results in microclimatic variations, which play a major role in governing its natural vegetation

Effect of Protection of Mountainous Vegetation against Over-Grazing and Over-Cutting in South Sinai, Egypt

In this study, we evaluated the species diversity, density, cover, and size index of plant species within and outside 37 enclosures in the South Sinai mountainous region (Egypt), which had been protected for six years (March 2012–March 2018) against over-grazing and over-cutting for medicinal and fuel purposes. Within and outside the enclosures, the plant species were recorded, and their density (individuals per 100 m2) and cover (cm per 100 cm) were estimated using the line-intercept method. The biovolume of each individual of each species was calculated as the average of its height and diameter. The species richness was calculated as the average number of species per enclosure, and the species turnover was calculated as the ratio between the total number of species and the species richness. The relative evenness was calculated using the Shannon–Weaver index, whereas the relative concentration of dominance was calculated using the Simpson index. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) was applied to ordinate the vegetation inside and outside the enclosures depending on the species cover. The unpaired t-test was applied to assess the statistically significant differences in the species density, cover, and biovolume inside and outside the enclosures. By the end of the six-year period, the vegetation pattern inside the enclosures became more or less stable, presumably because of the stopping of grazing and cutting, which also led to an increase in the plant diversity, density, and cover. In general, the protection of vegetation in South Sinai improved its diversity, density, and cover. In addition, the topographic and physiographic heterogeneity in this region results in microclimatic variations, which play a major role in governing its natural vegetation

Pattern of Urban Flora in Intra-City Railway Habitats (Alexandria, Egypt): A Conservation Perspective

Intra-city railway areas are deemed large greenspaces and are believed to be key in enhancing the diversity and dynamics of urban flora. In the current study, the floristic composition and diversity along intra-city railway and tram tracks in Alexandria were surveyed. The floristic composition of the plant communities in relation to environmental factors, ecological indicators, and level of human impact was analyzed using multivariate analysis (two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) for classification and detrended correspondence analysis (DECORANA) for ordination. The multivariate ordination techniques (CCA) revealed differences in the environmental factors and climatic factors influencing the floristic composition of the railway and tram track habitats. Tram tracks suffered higher human impact while maintaining higher vitality and cover compared to train tracks. Species recorded were mainly therophytes, followed by phanerophytes and hemicryptophytes dominated by native species; however, invasive species’ contribution was higher compared to surrounding regions. The number of invasive species was greater in railway areas compared to tram track areas (19 and 15, respectively). The occurrence of two endemic species (Sinapis allionii and Sonchus macrocarpus) with limited national distribution highlights the importance of these habitats as valuable refuge areas for rare and endangered species worthy of conservation action

Biology of Nicotiana glutinosa L., a newly recorded species from an archaeological excavation site in Egypt

Abstract Background During a field survey of urban flora in Alexandria city in 2019–2022, an interesting species belonging to the Solanaceae was collected from a newly archaeological excavation site and identified as Nicotiana glutinosa L. Many visits were made to the herbaria of Egypt to confirm the species records, but no single record was found. Reviewing the available literature revealed that this tropical American taxon was never recorded in the flora of Egypt. Aims The present study was focused on N. glutinosa growth structure and plant macro- and micromorphology. Methods Ten sampling sites were covered for N. glutinosa size structure. Plant samples were examined for stem anatomy, leaf, seed, and pollen morphology. Results The species size structure reveals that the individual size index ranges from 1.33 to 150 cm, while its density ranges from 4 to 273 individuals /100 m−2. N. glutinosa has successfully established itself in one of the archaeological sites in Egypt, showing a “healthy” population with a high degree of size inequality, characterized by a relative majority of the juvenile individuals. Voucher specimens were deposited in the Herbarium of Alexandria University (ALEX) Faculty of Science, another specimen is processed to make herbarium specimens at the Herbarium of the Botanic Garden (Heneidy et al. collection, deposition number. 5502). Conclusions From our observations, N. glutinosa seems to have invasive potential, as it shows characteristics shared by most invasive species that are thought to help in their successful establishment in new habitats. This article emphasizes the importance of monitoring and regularly reporting the threats of alien invasive species to avoid any possible negative impacts on indigenous biodiversity in the future