Vegetation and landforms of the Saint Catherine area, southern Sinai, Egypt
1995; Elsevier BV; Volume: 30; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1006/jare.1995.0033
ISSN1095-922X
AutoresAbdel Raouf A. Moustafa, J.M. Klopatek,
Tópico(s)Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
ResumoFloristically, the Sinai peninsula is represented by four main phytogeographical chorotypes Saharo–Arabian, Irano–Turanian, Sudanian, and Mediterranean. The Saint Catherine area, in the southern Sinai, is characterized by a unique vegetation due to its geomorphological formations and altitudinal climatic variations. The origin of the vegetation is primarily Irano–Turanian, dominated byArtemisia herba-albaand accompanied byAtraphaxis spinosa,Agatophora alopecuroidesandGymnocarpos decandrumat high elevations (Gebel Catherina, 2641 m). Lower elevations (1500–1700 m) are dominated byArtemisia herba-alba,Zilla spinosaandFagonia mollison stony alluvium and cobble deposits. The vegetation is relatively diverse in sub-shrubs and trees, with few annuals. Vegetation is sparse and characterized by a variety of chasmophytic and endemic species. Six landforms are distinguished in the area: gorges, slopes, terraces, ridges,wadis, and plains. Narrowwadisand gorges are relatively floristically rich and are dominated by phanerophytes (Crataegus sinaica,Ficus pseudosycomorusandLycium shawii) and chamaephytes (Phlomis aurea,Conyza stricta,Plantago sinaica, andTeucrium polium). The character of the soil surface, altitudinal gradients, and landform types provide microhabitats dominated by characteristic vegetation.
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