Current Status of the Flora of North Sinai: Losses and Gains

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Botany Department, Faculty of Sciences, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt

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

Abstract

Recent changes in floristic composition and structure in North Sinai due to human impact and
contemporary prevailing drought were studied. Three-hundred plots distributed in one-hundred sites were
sampled throughout the North Sinai covering different seasons of 2005 and 2006. Two-hundred and
eighty-one species were recorded belonging to 187 genera and 52 families. The collected species
included a new record to Egypt (Cyperus glaber) L., a new record to Sinai (Persicaria sengalensis
(Meisn.) Soják), and a new record to North Sinai (Eminium spiculatum (Blume) Schott subsp. negevensis
Koach & Feinbrun). The distribution of the recorded species was estimated quantitatively based on the
frequency of presence. The comparisons of the floristic composition and structure in present study with
earlier studies (1960s and 1970s) revealed that the flora of North Sinai has been changed dramatically in
the past 40-50 years. Four-hundred and fifty-one (62.3%) of previously recorded species were not
recorded in the present survey. Our study concluded that unless refugee sites would be established
representing different habitats in North Sinai, the documented change in floristic composition and
structure would be continue leading to more loss in flora of North Sinai.

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