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18630

Vegetation and Environment of Gebel Serbal, South Sinai, Egypt

Article

Last updated: 22 Jan 2023

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Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the floristic composition and the distributional behavior of plant communities in relation to the main physiographic features and soil properties in Gebel Serbal. Canopy cover of plant species and altitude were measured in 58 stands (20 m x 20 m). Gravel percentage, soil texture, hygroscopic moisture, pH, electric conductivity, total carbonate, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and soil organic matter were determined in each stand. The results revealed that Serbal Mountain is characterized by distinguished microhabitats and low to moderate human impact that result in unique floristic composition and vegetation patterns. One hundred and six species were identified in this study including 11 endemic species, and 36 characteristic species. Based on multivariate analyses, seven main plant communities were recognized in Gebel Serbal area. Distribution of the plant communities was more related to altitude, hygroscopic moisture, and gravel percentage rather than to sand, silt and clay fractions, soil organic matter, and total nitrogen. The present study indicates that Gebel Serbal is the most diverse area in South Sinai, and has a high conservation value. We recommend that Gebel Serbal, a part of St. Katherine Protectorate, should be declared as habitat/species management area.

Keywords

Gebel Serbal, Mountainous habitats, plant communities, Multivariate Analysis, edaphic factors, endemic species, conservation

Authors

First Name

Raafat

Last Name

Abd El-Wahab

MiddleName

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Affiliation

Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt

Email

raafat_hassan@yahoo.com

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First Name

Mohamed

Last Name

Zaghloul

MiddleName

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Affiliation

Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt

Email

zaghloul_mohamed@yahoo.com

City

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Orcid

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First Name

Abd El-Raouf

Last Name

Moustafa

MiddleName

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Affiliation

Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt

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Orcid

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Volume

1

Article Issue

2

Related Issue

3879

Issue Date

2018-11-01

Receive Date

2018-11-08

Publish Date

2018-11-01

Page Start

9

Page End

20

Print ISSN

1687-5052

Online ISSN

2090-2786

Link

https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_18630.html

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https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=18630

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2

Type

Original Article

Type Code

644

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences

Publication Link

https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/

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Article

Created At

22 Jan 2023