Species Diversity and Floristic Analysis of the Family Poaceae in Libya Depending on the Flora of Libya

Fathi Goma Al-Sghair

doi:10.11648/j.abb.20190702.11

Abstract

The goal of this research was to investigate the species diversity and floristic analysis of the family Poaceae in Libya depending on the data provided from the Flora of Libya series. 3 species (Bromus unioloides (Willd.) H. B. K., Eriochloa fatmensis (Hochst. & Steud.) Clayton and Chloris gayana Kunth.) were added as a new record to the family Poaceae in Libya. Results revealed that the family Poaceae in Libya is composed of 229 species belonging to 92 genera. Simpson’s Diversity index showed that the Family Poaceae has high diversity. The largest genera in the Family Poaceae in the flora of Libya are Stipagrostis and Bromus, which include 13 species. There are (13 species) of Stipagrostis in Libya (26%) of 50 species in the world. The life forms and chorological spectra of plant species were determined. There are no trees and shrubs species in our data, this due to the difficulties for the species to grow in dry habitat. It appears that annual and perennial life forms are the preferable strategy in the temperate deserts of Libya. Therophytes showed the maximum number of species (62.2%), followed by Hemicryptophytes (19.65%), Geophytes (13.5%) and Therophytes - Hemicryptophytes (2.62%). The results obtained from the geographical distribution of the species showed that the highest percentage is (31.88%) for the Mediterranean region, followed by (14.85%) Mediterranean / Irano-Turanian regions. Distribution of species clearly shows that the majority of species of the family Poaceae are located within the Mediterranean region.

Highlights

The grasses (Poaceae) are certainly the most important plant family for food production [1] to mankind agriculturally, economically and ecologically
This paper provides an overview of the Family Poaceae depending on the analysis of the flora of Libya, with life form patterns, distribution of species and chorotype
The dominance of Therophytes is due to the long dry periods during the year in Libya [15]. It appears that annual and perennial life forms are the preferable strategy in the temperate deserts of Libya

Summary

Introduction

The grasses (Poaceae) are certainly the most important plant family for food production [1] to mankind agriculturally, economically and ecologically. The Family Poaceae contains approximately 11 000 species [2] distributed among about 750–770 genera [3,4] worldwide and is the fifth largest flowering plant family [5, 6, 7]. It covers about 40% of the Earth’s surface [8]. Grasses have adapted to conditions in rain forests, dry deserts, and cold mountain steppes, and are the most widespread plant type [9], which make up 20% of the world’s vegetation coverage and are composed of Poaceae members [13,14]

Objectives

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion