Gardens in the oases of Egypt's Western Desert, and their similarities to ancient Egyptian gardens

Abstract

Introduction Oases are places with permanent water sources located within vast, dry, surrounding desert landscapes. They can be found in deserts around the globe in a variety of shapes and sizes ranging from very small patches to very linear and long river valleys (e.g. the Nile). Their existence is based on one or more water sources that enable the growth of vegetation, which provides shade and creates microclimate and habitats that attract fauna and humans. While natural processes — mainly wind and water erosion — define the landscape in the surrounding arid area, human manipulation of water and land play an important role in shaping the landscapes within many oases. As long as the manipulation is based on modest technologies, these landscapes represent the delicate balance and unique relationships between humans, plants, animals, water and land.1