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ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EXTREME HABITATS IN EASTERN PROVINCE OF SAUDI ARABIA

Article

Last updated: 22 Jan 2023

Subjects

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Tags

Botany
Microbiology
Zoology

Abstract

Extreme habitats, in three sites (1-3), located in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, were investigated. Two sites (1&2)are located at the Arabian Gulf shoreline; representing the habitats of littoral sabkha /salt marsh, and those of mangrove swamps; respectively. The third site (3) is located, landwards, towards the Dahna sand, representing the habitats of sand plains. The three sites are characterized by along dry season extending from April to December (as indicated the climate diagram); while the calculated index of aridity classify the climate, of the studied sites, as ''arid''. The halophytic species: Halocnemum strobilaceum, Arthrocnemum macrostachyum and Salsola drummondii characterized the littoral sabkha habitats; whereas the grey mangrove plant Avicennia marina characterized the seaward zone, in the mangrove swamp habitats. Two xerophytic species: Haloxylon persicum and H.salicornicum characterized the sand yplain habitats. Plant samples and their associated soils, were collected during wet and dry seasons. The plant water status (expressed as % relative water content and succulence), total ash and ionic composition of plant species were determined; and  results indicated seasonal changes. Some soil parameters were determined, as important edaphic features of the habitats. Results of soil moisture, pH, electric conductivity (EC), CaCO3, organic carbon, and total nitrogen showed significant variations between the habitats in the studied sites(1-3). Correlation and linear relation were obtained between the contents of mineral ions in plant species and those in their associated soils. Characteristics of habitats are discussed.

DOI

10.21608/absb.2013.6418

Keywords

habitats, sabkha, salt marsh, Mangrove, sand plains

Authors

First Name

EGLAL

Last Name

GALALEDIN

MiddleName

M.

Affiliation

Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of science, Azhar University (Girls Branch), Cairo, Egypt

Email

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City

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Orcid

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First Name

AMNA

Last Name

H.EL-RAEY

MiddleName

M.

Affiliation

Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Dammam University, Eastern Province , Saudi Arabia

Email

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City

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Orcid

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Volume

24

Article Issue

Issue 2-C

Related Issue

1322

Issue Date

2013-12-01

Receive Date

2013-08-01

Publish Date

2013-12-01

Page Start

17

Page End

32

Print ISSN

1110-2535

Online ISSN

2636-3305

Link

https://absb.journals.ekb.eg/article_6418.html

Detail API

https://absb.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=6418

Order

13

Type

Original Article

Type Code

520

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Al-Azhar Bulletin of Science

Publication Link

https://absb.journals.ekb.eg/

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Details

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Article

Created At

22 Jan 2023