A phytosociological study on the inland desert plateau of the Western Mediterranean Desert of Egypt at El-Hammam

Abstract

Phytosociological analysis of the inland plateau, one of the main habitats of the Western Desert of Egypt, indicates that Thymelaea hirsuta, Plantago albicans and Anabasis articulata generally predominate but, due to the remarkable local variations, five vegetational groups are recognized. Group I is dominated by Plantago albicans, group II by Anabasis articulata, group III by Thymelaea hirsuta, group IV by Anabasis articulata, Thymelaea hirsuta, Plantago albicans and Asphodelus microcarpus and group V by Scorzonera alexandrina, Helianthemum lippii and Echiochilon fruticosum. Among the soil variables analysed in the present study, texture, CaCO3, organic matter, phosphorus and the relative quantities of Na+, Ca++ and Mg++ are important in delimiting the vegetation groups.