Ecological Study on Vegetation of Abu Tartur Plateau, the New Valley, Egypt

摘要

The present study deals with the ecology of the vegetation inhabiting Abu Tartur plateau, a part of the rainless region extending between Kharga and Dakhla oases in Western desert of Egypt including recognition of the plant communities. There were six community types dominated by: Astragalus vogelii , Bassia muricata , Morettia philaeana , Alhagi graecorum , Farsetia aegyptia and Schouwia purpurea . For each community the vegetation analysis and habitat conditions are given. A total 56 plant species belonging to 23 families were identified from the six communities. Poaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Asteraceae and Fabaceae were the predominant families. The majority of the species were of Irano-Turanian (24%), Saharo-Sidian (19%) and Saharo-Arabian (17%) distribution. Therophytes and chamaephytes had the highest contribution to the life forms spectra. Soil moisture is the main environmental factor governing the pattern of plant growth. It is affected by depth of underground water, depth of surface deposits and soil texture . These findings may lead to a better understanding of the vegetation of the different habitats found in Abu Tartur area which was not described before in other ecological work.