Contribution to the Eco-Palynological Studies of Wadi El Natron, Egypt

Abstract

Palynological study of three soil profiles has been carried out from the Wadi El-Natrun area, Western Desert of Egypt for their pollen content dating Late Pliocene to present. Results revealed predominance of Mangroves vegetation Avicennia marina during Late Pliocene, and, Early Pleistocene. A warm humid climate with intermittent dry periods is indicated from the Late Pliocene recorded fossils. Fossil remains of Juncus and Salsola pollen types. Lycopodium spores, Pinus and Concentricystes spores were recorded during Late Pliocene and Holocene, Early Pleistocene which suggest a humid and warm climate at this period. The climate was warm arid alternating with warm humid and sometimes cool-temperate rainy periods as indicated by the presence of grasess (Poaceae) and (conifer, Pinus). Swamp elements, Typha and phragmites pollen types were recorded with high percentage indicating a swampy habitat during Holocene period. The present vegetation cover of the studied area represented by 27 species belonging to 12 families, 4 annuals and 23 perennial plants and a few individuals of Acacia, Tamarix type the most dominant shrubs, followed by associate types e.g halophytes Salsola, Zygophyllum, Cornulaca and few of annuals Senecio and Sonchus which represent mesophytic species, while the differences in vegetation of present and old may due to the environmental and climatic changes. In the present, the rising salinity and high nutrient loading due to human activities has allowed for the growth of the halophytic community. So, Palynological investigations may be used to detect the effects of climatic changes on terrestrial plant vegetation and as additional tool to predict the past climatic changes.