Vegetation of inland desert wadies in Egypt III. Wadi Gimal and Wadi El‐Miyah

Abstract

Two desert wadies of contradictory ecological conditions were studied. The water factor seems to be the most critical ecological factor in determining the type of vegetation as well as its richness. In Wadi Gimal, of extremely dry conditions (both climatic and edaphic) a typical xerophytic community dominated by Zilla spinosa, Pulicaria undulata and Cassia italica was identified, together with a less xeric (but more tolerant to salinity) community of Tamarix aphylla — Limonium axillare exist in the deltaic part of the wadi near the Red Sea coast. In Wadi El‐Miyah, of fairly rich water resources, 3 communities were identified the species composition of each reflects different degrees of aridity which is related to local physiography in the wadi coarse. These communities are: 1. Community of Salsola delileana — Francoeuria crispa, 2. Community of Acacia raddiana — Pergularia tomentosa and, 3. Community of Zygophyllum coccineum — Pulicaria undulata.

Vegetation analysis, phenological patterns and chorological affinities in Wadi Qena, Eastern Desert, Egypt

“…The same species were identified in other wadis in the Eastern Desert as members of the alliance Zygophyllaeion (Salama & Fayed, ). Ochradenus baccatus has an analogue previously recognized in Wadi El‐Miyah (El‐Sharkawi, Salama & Fayed, ). Salama & Fayed () recognized Z. spinosa and S. imbricata in one community in Wadi Barramiya.…”

“…Salama & Fayed () recognized Z. spinosa and S. imbricata in one community in Wadi Barramiya. Zilla spinosa has also been recorded in the wadi system west of Qusseir province, Wadi El‐Matuli, Wadi Gimal, Wadi Qassab, Wadi Kherit and Wadi El‐Ghuza (Salama & El‐Naggar, ; El‐Sharkawi, Fayed & Salama, , , ; El‐Sharkawi, Salama & Fayed, , ), respectively. The 54 collected species in the present study is higher than that recorded (39 species) in the previous studies, which may be attributed to the dry period during 2009 and a heavy rainfall in January 2010.…”

Plant diversity and community structure of Wadi Gimal protected area, Red Sea Coast of Egypt

“…Plant ecologists have focused their attention towards vegetation of wadis that drain in the Red Sea: among them, Sharaf El‐Din & Shaltout () and Dargie & El‐Demerdash () (Wadi Araba), Zareh & Fargali () (Wadi Abu‐Ghusun) and Sheded () (Wadi Gimal). The study of El‐Sharkawy, Salama & Fayed () had focused on the floristic composition of Wadi Gimal. Galal () had recognized a difference in the floristic composition and size structure of woody perennials along different elevations in Wadi Gimal.…”

Size structure and dynamics of some woody perennials along elevation gradient in Wadi Gimal, Red Sea coast of Egypt

“…Through its course toward the east, the wadi crosses the coastal sedimentary rocks composed mainly of sandstone, shales, and marls. Inhabitants of this wadi and others to the south are nomads belonging to a widely spread tribe "Bashariya" who live partly in Sudan (El-Sharkawy et al, 1982). Wadi Gimal had been declared a desert protected area in 2003, with an area of about 7450 km 2 , where the studied wadis are included.…”

“…In isolated patches, soil of fine sand and silt is accumulated in thin layers and these are usually catchment sites of windblown material. The location of such patches is apparently dependent on changes in course and orientation of geomorphological structures and wind directions (El-Sharkawy et al, 1982). Wadi Gimal originates from the watershed, which runs along the basement mountain range and drains towards high hills of which Gabal Nugrus, G. Hafafit, G. Zabara and G. Samuki are the most conspicuous ones.…”