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Biogeographical relations of a hyperarid desert flora in eastern Egypt

Research Authors
Monier Abd El-Ghani1, Fawzy Salama, Boshra Salem, Azza El-Hadidy1 and Mohamed Abdel-Aleem1
Research Abstract

The floristic composition and geographical elements of the study area were analyzed resulted in 328 species representing 206 genera in 55 families. This study confirmed the record of 14 species, mostly weeds, which can be considered as new additions to the flora of the study area. Therophytes were the dominant life form, while mono- and bi-regional Saharo-Sindian geoelements were the most represented. Ten species showed dominancy with their Q-values ranged between 0.802 and 0.2, where Zilla spinosa and Zygophyllum coccineum were of common occurrence. Application of cluster analysis and DCA ordination techniques produced 4 major floristic groups (A-D) comprising 7 subgroups. The correlation coefficients (r) between the different subgroups revealed high significant correlations (P=0.01) between floristic group (B) and subgroup (C2) and between subgroups (D1) and (D2). Significant correlations (P=0.05) occurred between subgroup (D1) and both of (A1) and (C2). Comparing the floristic similarities between this investigation and other relevant studies were presented and discussed. On the other hand the low similarity index between the study area and Sinai may be attributed to the geographical position of both deserts where Sinai desert is part of the Irano-Turanian region while the Eastern Desert is a part of the Saharo-Sindian region.

Research Journal
African Journal of Ecology
Research Publisher
John Wiley & sons Ltd
Research Rank
1
Research Vol
52
Research Year
2013
Research Pages
173 - 191