Vegetation Analysis and Distribution of Five Medicinal Plants along Altitudinal Gradient at SKP, South Sinai, Egypt

Author: T. Ramadan, M. A.A. Zidan and Asmaa M. Abdel-Bari

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the change in vegetation structure and species distribution along altitudinal gradient at Saint Katherine Protectorate (SKP) mountains, with special attention to the distribution of five medicinal plants (Cleome droserifolia, Achillea fragrantissima, Chiliadenus montanus, Origanum syriacum and Thymus decussatus). 108 species (81perennial, 24 annual and 3 biannual) belong to 90 genera and 35 families were recorded with Asteraceae as the most abundant family. Elements of Saharo-Arabian chamaephytes were the major component of the floristic structure. The recorded species classified by cluster analysis into four vegetation groups. Most of soil variables unchanged significantly along the altitudinal gradient. The results of CCA ordination indicated that altitude, or the species' altitude range limits, was the most important factor affecting distribution of plants and determine the floristic composition. Seven endemic and three near-endemic species were

Keywords

Altitudinal gradient; Ethno-pharmacological plants; Endemics; SKP, Sinai.

Conclusion

The aim of this study was to explore the change in vegetation structure and species distribution along altitudinal gradient at Saint Katherine Protectorate (SKP) mountains, with special attention to the distribution of five medicinal plants (Cleome droserifolia, Achillea fragrantissima, Chiliadenus montanus, Origanum syriacum and Thymus decussatus). 108 species (81perennial, 24 annual and 3 biannual) belong to 90 genera and 35 families were recorded with Asteraceae as the most abundant family. Elements of Saharo-Arabian chamaephytes were the major component of the floristic structure. The recorded species classified by cluster analysis into four vegetation groups. Most of soil variables unchanged significantly along the altitudinal gradient. The results of CCA ordination indicated that altitude, or the species' altitude range limits, was the most important factor affecting distribution of plants and determine the floristic composition. Seven endemic and three near-endemic species were

References

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How to cite this article

T. Ramadan, M. A.A. Zidan and Asmaa M. Abdel-Bari (2018). Vegetation Analysis and Distribution of Five Medicinal Plants along Altitudinal Gradient at SKP, South Sinai, Egypt. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 10(2): 51-67(2018).