ibclogo XVI International Botanical Congess


Abstract Number: 5276
Poster No. = 1522


VEGETATION OF THE EGYPTIAN WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN SAND DUNES: A CONSERVATIONAL VIEWPOINT


K.H. Shaltout. Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt


The western Mediterranean region of Egypt has been subjected to a long history of ecosystem degradation due to uncontrolled human activities such as overgrazing, overcutting of wood and rain-fed farming. The recent land-use activities have been more devastating such as the occupation of large areas of the calcareous coastal dunes by many summer resorts to the extent that not only the species are being endangered but also the habitat itself. After reviewing the available literature, a total of 140 wild plant species have been recorded in this habitat (80 are perennials and 60 are annuals). Approximately 33 of the recorded species re restricted to this habitat only. The application of the criteria used in the international assessment of wildlife conservation potential (e.g., diversity, area, rarity, naturalness, representativeness, recorded history, educational value and other criteria) to the available data indicates the urgent need for conserving this habitat and its flora.


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