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Biogeographical relations of a hyperarid desert flora in eastern Egypt
Author(s) -
ElGhani Monier Abd,
Salama Fawzy,
Salem Boshra,
ElHadidy Azza,
AbdelAleem Mohamed
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
african journal of ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1365-2028
pISSN - 0141-6707
DOI - 10.1111/aje.12102
Subject(s) - floristics , flora (microbiology) , ordination , geography , desert (philosophy) , ecology , biology , species richness , paleontology , philosophy , epistemology , bacteria
The floristic composition and geographical elements of the study area were analysed resulted in 328 species representing 206 genera in 55 families. This study confirmed the record of fourteen species, mostly weeds, which can be considered as new additions to the flora of the study area. Therophytes were the dominant life form, while mono‐ and bi‐regional Saharo‐Sindian geoelements were the most represented. Ten species showed dominancy with their Q‐values ranged between 0.802 and 0.2, where Zilla spinosa and Zygophyllum coccineum were of common occurrence. Application of cluster analysis and DCA ordination techniques produced four major floristic groups (A–D) comprising seven subgroups. The correlation coefficients ( r ) between the different subgroups revealed high significant correlations ( P = 0.01) between floristic group (B) and subgroup (C 2 ) and between subgroups (D 1 ) and (D 2 ). Significant correlations ( P = 0.05) occurred between subgroup (D 1 ) and both of (A 1 ) and (C 2 ). Comparing the floristic similarities between this investigation and other relevant studies were presented and discussed. On the other hand, the low similarity index between the study area and Sinai may be attributed to the geographical position of both deserts where Sinai desert is part of the Irano‐Turanian region, while the Eastern Desert is a part of the Saharo‐Sindian region.