Landforms, Vegetation, and Soil Quality in South Sinai, Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

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

2 Soil and Water Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

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

4 School of Life Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Science, Arizona State University, Arizona, USA

Abstract

The present study focused on the assessment of soil quality in South Sinai, an arid to extremely arid
region, particularly the effect of landform type and vegetation on some of the studied soil properties.
Vegetation and soil surveys were carried out in 200 plots selected in 8 different landforms. Soil
productivity was evaluated using corn Zea mays seed plantation in greenhouse pot experiment. Some soil
properties in addition to nutrients uptake in shoots and roots of corn were analyzed. The obtained results
showed a variation in soil texture, water holding capacity, and nutrient elements among different
landforms and vegetative cover categories. Soil pH, EC, silt and clay content, water holding capacity, and
soil organic matter are the most important soil parameters or driving variables that influence the
availability of soil nutrients and control coverage and structure of vegetation. Soil quality index was
constructed based on rating of these driving variables. The provided model of soil quality index is
specific for surface soil and it could be useful in evaluation and management of soil resources in arid
ecosystems. Water availability is shown to be the key variable in controlling soil productivity. Total plant
cover and vegetation structure are considered the easy visual indicators for preliminary inspection of soil
properties, soil productivity, and soil quality.

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