Kafr El-Sheikh and El-Behira) and 30 stands were distributed in .... 56 Pulicaria incisa (Lam.) DC. 0.92 4.00 0.15 ... 75 Lolium multiflorum Lam. -. -. -. -. 2.04 3.54.
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Mansoura university
Mansoura Journal Of Biology
Phytosociological and Ecological Studies of Five Species of Genus Zygophyllum in Egypt Ibrahim A. Mashaly, Yasser A. El-Amier and Aya A. Yahia Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Egypt. Received 29 July 2015; accepted 28 August 2015 Keywords Zygophyllum; classification; ordination; Soil analysis; DeltaicMediterranean coast; North Eastern Desert; Egypt.
Abstract This study provides a description of the ecological features of five species of the genus Zygophyllum (family Zygophyllaceae); namely: Zygophyllum album L., Zygophyllum aegyptium Hosny, Zygophyllum coccineum L., Zygophyllum decumbens Delile and Zygophyllum simplex L. in the Deltaic Mediterranean coast and in the North Galala Desert in the Northern section of the Eastern Desert of Egypt. The overall number of the listed plant species which were recorded in the study areas of the current investigation was 135 species of 104 genera belonging to 31 families. Based on their importance values, the classification of the plant species recorded in the 70 sampled stands, has resulted in four vegetation groups (A – D). Group A was codominated by Zygophyllum coccineum and Zilla spinosa, group B was codominated by Zygophyllum simplex, Zygophyllum coccineum and Haloxylon salicornicum, group C was dominated by Zygophyllum aegyptium and group D was dominated by Zygophyllum coccineum. Groups A and B may represent the vegetation kinds of the North Galala Desert in the Eastern Desert while, groups C and D may represent the vegetation kinds of the Deltaic Mediterranean coast. The linkage between vegetation groups and soil variables was illustrated on the ordination diagram resulted from Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). It showed that, clay, pH, sulphates, sodium adsorption ratio, sodium cation, electrical conductivity, magnesium cation, potassium adsorption ratio. Potassium and organic carbon were the main edaphic agents that control the abundance and distribution of the particular vegetation groups.
Introduction The family Zygophyllaceae includes herbs and shrubs, and rarely trees. The branches of the plants are often jointed at the nodes; leaves are opposite or rarely alternate compound or 2- foliate, with entire margines, without dots; leaf stipules are paired,
persistent, and often spinescent. This family comprises about 27 genera, chiefly distributed in tropical or subtropical regions, often in arid climates. The genus Zygophyllum includes woody herbs or subshrubs, often with spreading or prostrate branches, rarely annual
Ibrahim A. Mashaly,et al. herbs. About 80 species of the genus Zygophyllum are distributed in the Mediterranean area, temperate Asia, temperate and tropical Africa and Australia (Meikle, 1977). Moreover, Zohary (1972) reported that, the family Zygophyllaceae comprises about 30 genera and 250 species (100 Zygophyllum species) and they are predominantly distributed in arid regions or deserts of all continents. The different species of Zygophyllum represent a group of succulent plants that are drought resistant and/or salt tolerant, growing under severe, dry climatic conditions. The abundance of Zygophyllum species could be related to their great tolerance to environmental stresses and their unpalatability. The growth and distribution of Zygophyllum species are related to their dependence on the chemical nature of the soil of their habitats (Batanouny and Ezzat., 1971). Genus Zygophyllum in Egypt is widely distributed in Desert, Red Sea, Sinai, Gebel Elba, Oases and Mediterranian region (Täckhlom., 1974 & Boulos., 2000). In Egypt, the Mediterranean coast is ranked into three parts: 1)the Western part (Mareoits coast) between Sallum at Lybian borders at west and Abu-Qir at east (550 km long), 2) the Middle part (Deltaic coast) between Abu-Qir at west and Port-Said at east (220 km), and 3)the Eastern part (Sinai coast) between Port-Said at west and Rafah at Palestinian borders at east (200 km) with an average width ranging between 10-25 km in north-south direction (Mashaly., 2001). The flora of the Mediterranean coastal zone of Egypt is considered as one of its prime natural resources. Its proper utilization plays a key role in the sound of this area which is known to have enjoyed prosperity during the GraecoRomanes times (Kassas., 1972).The scenery of the Deltaic Mediterranean coastal area of Egypt is ranked into four habitats: sand formations (mounds, sheets and dunes), salt marshes (black barren, dry and wet saline habitats), fertile sandy lands (cultivated and non-cultivated) and reed swamps (Mashaly., 2002). The desert vegetation in Egypt is the most significant and characteristic kind of natural plant life covering approximately 95%
80 of the overall area of the country. Mostly, it is composed of xerophytic shrubs and subshrubs. Monod (1954) recognized two kinds of desert vegetation namely diffuse and contracted. Both kinds refer to persistent vegetation that can be accompanied by ephemeral plant growth relying on the quantity of rainfall in a particular year. A third kind named ‘‘accidental vegetation’’ was added by Kassas (1966&1971), where rainfall is little and falls so irregularly that no persistent vegetation occurs. As dry regions are usually specialized by minimal precipitation and frequent droughts (Mabbutt., 1977), thus the availability of water is one of the serious agents prevailing the distribution of species (Noy-Meir., 1973; Yair and Danin., 1980). The most important gradients in abiotic factors may be linked to water availability, including annual rainfall, soil characteristics, and topography (Parker., 1991). Correlation of soils and vegetation are important for numerous investigations of plant habitats. In the dry areas of the Middle East, Hillel and Tadmor (1962), Kassas and Girgis (1965), Olsvig-Whittaker et al. (1983), Stahr et al. (1985), and Abd El-Ghani (1997, 1998 & 2000) worked in this trend. The goal of the current study is to throw light on investigating the ecological features of five chosen Zygophyllum species in family Zygophyllaceae namely, Zygophyllum album, Zygophyllum aegyptium, Zygophyllum coccineum, Zygophyllum decumbens and Zygophyllum simplex. Study Area The middle part of the Mediterranean coastal area of Egypt (Deltaic coast) extends from Abu-Quir (in the west, Long. 32°19' E) to Port-Said (in the east Long.31°19' E) with a length of approximately 220 km, and with a width in a N-S direction ranged between 5-15 km from the coast (Mashaly., 2002).The Eastern Desert of Egypt extends from the Nile Valley eastward to the Gulf of Suez and the Red Sea which is approximately 223000 km2 . It is longer than the Western Desert as it composed essentially of a frame of high, rugged mountains that parallel to and at a short distance from the coast. On the other hand,
Ecological Studies of Five Species of Genus Zygophyllum Cairo-Suez desert road and Wadi Hagul are located in the northern part of the Eastern Desert of Egypt (The Galala Desert) which extends east of the Nile Delta. These two localities represent the natural xeric habitat which is mainly inhabited by xerophytic vegetation. Cairo – Suez desert road extends for approximately 130 Km long. The gravel desert is one of the most characteristic features
81
of this road. On the other hand, Wadi Hagul located in the valley depression between Gebel Ataqa to the north and the Kahaliya ridge to the south. Its major channel extends for approximately 35 km, collects drainage on both sides and debouch into the Gluf of Suez. It is specialized by domistic physiographic variations and physiognomic heterogeneity (Mashaly., 1996).
Fig. (1). Map of the Nile Delta region showing different localities (*) of the study area. Materials and Methods After regular field trips to the various sites of the study areas, a number of stands were chosen for sampling vegetation associated with the five Zygophyllum spp. in the different habitat types recognized in the study areas during spring 2014. Seventy stands (area = 10 x 10 m each) were chosen for sampling vegetation. The stands were as follows: 40 stands were distributed in four Governorates of the Deltaic Mediterranean coastal belt of Egypt (Damietta, El-Dakahlia, Kafr El-Sheikh and El-Behira) and 30 stands were distributed in Cairo-Suez desert road and Wadi Hagul. The stands were chosen and distributed to cover all physiographic variations in each habitat type and to ensure sampling of wide range of vegetational diversity. The soil samples were collected from the depth 0-30 cm from each stand, pooled together to form one composite sample, spread over sheets of paper, air dried, passed through 2 mm sieve, and packed in plastic
bags ready for analysis. Physical and chemical analysis of soil samples were carried out according to Piper (1947), Jackson (1962) and Allen et al. (1974). The density and cover of each species were calculated in each stand. Density was obtained by counting the number of individuals of the species within a series of randomly distributed stands (Shukla and Chandel., 1989). The line intercept method was applied to study the plant cover of each species in the surveyed stands (Canfield., 1941). Relative values of density and cover were calculated for each plant species and summed up to determine its importance value (IV) in each stand which is out of 200. Two multivariate analysis techniques (classification and ordination) were applied in the current work. The classification technique that applied here was the Two-Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN). The ordination techniques applied were the Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and the Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) using CANOCO (Ter-Braak., 1986,
Ibrahim A. Mashaly,et al. 1987 & 1988). The linkage between vegetation groups and environmental variables can be illustrated on the ordination diagram resulted from Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA-biplot), in which the points represent plant species and arrows represent environmental (edaphic) variables. The identification of the listed plant species in the current study was according to representing the study areas (Figure 2), four vegetation groups were yielded from TWINSPAN classification, the vegetation composition of these groups are presented in Table (1). Group A comprises 16 stands codominated by Zygophyllum coccineum with the highest importance value (IV = 27.78) and Zilla spinosa (IV = 24.14). The important species were Ochradenus baccatus (IV = 11.42), Zygophyllum decumbens (IV = 10.40) and Panicum turgidum (IV = 10.39). In this group, the indicator species which attained a relatively low IV was Lavandula coronopifolia (IV = 3.58). Group B includes 14 stands codominated by Zygophyllum simplex (IV = 20.58), Zygophyllum coccineum (IV = 19.22) and Haloxylon salicornicum (IV = 19.09). The important species in this group include Senecio glaucus (IV = 13.38) and Matthiola longipetala (IV = 9.72). The indicator species was Zilla spinosa which showed a relatively low value of 6.82.
82 Täckholm (1974) and Boulos (1999, 2000, 2002, 2005 and 2009). Results 1. Classification of sampled stands According to the importance values of 135 plant species listed in 70 sampled stands Group C consists of 23 stands dominated by Zygophyllum aegyptium (IV = 19.19). The other important species in this group were Calligonum polygonoides subsp. comosum (IV= 13.12), Rumex pictus (IV = 12.50), Cakile maritima subsp. aegyptiaca (IV=10.98), Halocnemum strobilaceum (IV=10.27). Zygophyllum album (IV=10.26) and Carthamus tenuis (IV=3.91) were the indicator species in this group. Group D includes 17 stands dominated by Zygophyllum coccineum (IV= 54.97). In this group, there were five important species which were identified by TWINSPAN-classification as Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum (IV = 22.59), Senecio glaucus (IV = 22.27), Zygophyllum aegyptium (IV = 21.29), Bassia indica (IV = 12.81) and Zygophyllum album (IV = 10.88).The indicator species in this group were Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (IV = 8.07), Halocnemum strobilaceum (IV = 3.20) and Chenopodium murale (IV = 2.60).
Ecological Studies of Five Species of Genus Zygophyllum
83
Fig. (2). Two Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN) dendrogram of the 70 sampled stands based on the importance values of the 135 species. The indicator species are abbreviated by the first three letters of genus and species respectively.
Ibrahim A. Mashaly,et al.
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Table (1): Mean value and coefficient variation (CV) of the importance values (out of 200) of the recorded plant species in the different vegetation groups resulting from TWINSPAN classification of the study areas in the Deltaic Mediterranean coast and North Galala Desert. Variation group No.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Species
Achillea fragrantissima (Forssk.) Sch.Bip. Aegilops bicornis (Forssk.) Jaub. &Spach Aegilops kotschyi Boiss. Aerva javanica (Burm.f.) Juss. ex Schult. Aizoon canariense L. Alhagi graecorum Boiss. Alkanna lehmanii (Tin.) A.DC. Anabasis articulata (Forssk.) Moq. Anchusa humilis (Desf.) I.M. Johnst. Anthemis cotula L. Artemisia judica L. Arthrocnemum macrostachyum (Moric.) K.Koch Astragalus bombycinus Boiss. Atractylis carduus (Forssk.) C.Chr. Atriplex halimus L. Atriplex lindleyi Moq. Atriplex portulacoides L. Atriplex prostrata DC. Atriplex semibaccata R.Br. Avena fatua L. Bassia indica (Wight) A.J.Scott Bassia muricata L. Brassica tournefortii Gouan Bromus diandrus Roth Cakile maritima Scop. subsp. aegyptiaca Calliganium polygonoides L. subsp. comosum (Lʹ Her.) Sockov
A
B
C
D
Mean
CV
Mean
CV
Mean
CV
Mean
CV
0.95
2.73
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2.93
2.69
0.57
4.12
-
-
1.12
2.56
0.92 -
3.32 -
1.37 -
4.12 -
0.32 2.72 -
4.00 2.17 -
2.11 0.39 1.30 0.39 -
3.74 3.74 3.74 3.74 -
2.46 0.27 -
2.94 4.80 -
0.69 1.03
4.12 2.82
2.02 -
4.00 -
0.91 5.54 8.09 -
2.56 1.99 1.75 -
1.76 1.30 0.58 0.17 0.89 5.61 0.23 0.67 3.22 10.98
2.14 4.80 4.80 4.80 3.45 2.20 4.80 4.80 2.02 1.11
2.58 0.15 12.81 6.65
1.67 4.12 0.62 1.11
-
-
-
-
13.12
1.54
-
-
Ecological Studies of Five Species of Genus Zygophyllum
85
Table (1). Continued. Variation group No.
27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55
Species
Carduus getelus Pomel Carthamus tenuis (Boiss. & Blanche) Bornm. Centaura aegyptiaca L. Chenopodium murale L. Cistanche phelypaea (L.) Cout. Cleome amblyocarpa Barratte & Murb. Cleome droserifolia (Forssk.) Delile Convolvulus arvensis L. Convolvulus lanatus Vahl Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist. Cressa critica L. Crotalaria aegyptiaca Benth. Cutandia memphitica (Spreng.) Benth. Cynanchum acutum L. Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Cyperus capitatus Vand. Cyperus conglomerats Rottb. Deverra tortuosa (Desf.) DC. Diplotaxis harra (Forssk.) Boiss. Diplotaxis acris (Forssk.) Boiss. Echinops spinosus L. Elymus farctus (Viv.) Ranemarkex. Melderis Emex spinosa (L.) Campd Erodium laciniatum (Cav.) Willd. Euphorbia retusa Forssk. Fagonia arabica L. Fagonia mollis Delile Farsetia aegyptia Turra Frankenia hirsuta L.
A
B
C
D
Mean
CV
Mean
CV
Mean
CV
Mean
CV
7.21 1.24 1.02 2.99 0.41 3.60 3.17 2.15 5.30 -
1.28 4.00 2.73 1.71 4.00 1.68 1.65 2.66 2.08 -
1.84 2.42 1.70 2.24 0.30 8.76 1.67 1.17 3.80 1.94 1.21 2.97 5.00 -
2.17 2.28 2.11 3.74 3.74 1.23 3.74 2.11 1.69 1.84 3.74 2.16 1.37 -
0.75 3.91 0.13 0.96 0.34 0.39 1.14 5.48 0.83 1.69 0.92 0.65 2.88 3.51 0.49 1.35 0.14 0.53
3.65 1.50 3.33 2.49 4.80 4.80 4.80 2.03 3.51 3.36 4.80 4.80 2.36 2.55 4.80 2.12 4.80 4.80
2.60 0.13 0.29 1.01 2.02 -
2.35 4.12 4.12 4.12 2.37 -
Ibrahim A. Mashaly,et al.
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Table (1).Continued. Variation group No.
56 57
Species
79
Pulicaria incisa (Lam.) DC. Gypsophila capillaris (Forssk.) C. Chr. Halocnemum strobilaceum (Pall.) M. Bieb. Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq.) Bunge ex Bioss. Herniaria hemistemon J. Gay Hordeum marinum Huds. Hyoscyamus muticus L. Ifloga spicata (Forssk.) Sch. Bip. Iphiona mucronata (Forssk.) Asch. &Schweinf. Kickxia aegyptiaca (L.) Nabelek Lasiurus scindicus Henrard Launaea capitata (spreng). Dandy Launaea mucronata (Forrsk.) Muschle Launaea nudicalis (L.) Hooh. f. Launaea spinosa (Forssk.) Sch.Bip. ex Kuntze Lavandula coronopifolia Poir. Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Decne. Limbarda crithmoiides (L.) Dumort. Limonium pruinosum (L.) Chaz. Lolium multiflorum Lam. Lotus creticus L. Lotus glinoides Delile Lotus halophilus Boiss. Lycium shawii Roem.&Schult.
80
Malva parviflora L.
81
Matthiola longipetalae (Vent.) DC.
82
Medicago polymorpha L.
58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78
A
B
D
C
Mean
CV
Mean
CV
Mean
CV
Mean
CV
0.92 1.72
4.00 2.17
0.15 2.72
3.74 2.57
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
10.27
1.70
3.20
2.40
6.22
2.31 19.09
0.84
-
-
-
-
0.36 1.99 5.08
4.00 2.84 2.12
1.55 5.75 0.49
3.74 3.17 2.58
2.61 7.59
2.92 1.55
9.49 2.41
1.31 2.83
2.59
1.92
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.19 2.17 1.66 1.49
4.00 2.16 2.96 1.86
1.13 1.31 6.07
3.74 2.19 1.48
4.14 1.30
0.94 2.32
0.67 -
2.86 -
9.14
2.18
1.62
3.74
-
-
-
-
3.58 6.18 2.17 -
2.18 2.21 1.64 -
1.61 -
2.55 -
2.74 1.95 2.04 1.18 1.90
3.96 4.80 3.54 4.01 2.67
-
-
1.20
2.73
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4.11
2.42
0.35
2.84
-
-
2.61
1.92
9.72
0.85
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1.33
3.62
-
-
Ecological Studies of Five Species of Genus Zygophyllum
87
Table (1).Continued. Variation group No.
Species
A
B
Mean
CV
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. Mesembryanthemum forsskaolii Hochst.ex Boiss. Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum L.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
87
Moltikopsis cillata (Forssk.) I.M. Johnst. Neurada procumbens L.
-
-
0.39 3.74
-
88
Ochradenus baccatus Delile
11.42 1.73
6.83 2.19
-
89
Ononis serrate Forssk.
90 91
Orobanche crenata Forssk.
92
Panicum turgidum Forssk.
93
Parapholis incurva (L.) C.E. Hubb.
-
94
Paronychia arabica (L.) DC.
95
83 84 85 86
CV
4.21 2.36
Mean
D CV
Mean
CV
2.83 2.00 -
8.07 0.86 -
-
1.41 3.43
22.59 0.64
-
0.94 4.80
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.21 4.80
-
-
-
-
-
1.32 3.07
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.24 4.00
-
-
-
-
-
10.39 1.52
-
-
-
-
-
1.42 3.78
0.06 4.12
-
-
-
-
0.05 4.80
0.15 4.12
Phalaris minor Retz.
-
-
-
-
0.44 4.80
-
-
0.38 3.74
3.34 1.77
97
Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin.exSteud. Plantago avata Lag.
0.23 4.00
1.27 2.66
98
Plantago squarrosa Murray
99
Poa annua L.
100
Polygonum equisetiforme Sm.
96
101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108
Pancratium maritimum L.
-
Mean
C
-
-
-
1.60 2.73 -
-
-
-
-
0.72 4.12
-
-
-
-
0.22 4.80
-
-
0.73 3.74
0.47 4.80
-
-
-
-
0.75 4.80
Pulicaria undulata (L.) C.A.Mey subsp. undulata. Reichardia tingitana (L.) Roth.
3.77 2.19
1.28 3.47
-
-
1.28 2.16
0.90 2.05
2.29 1.61
Reseda decursiva Forssk. Retama raetam (Forssk.) Webb &Berthel. Rumex pictus Forssk. Rumex vesicarius L. Salsola kali L. Scophularia deserti Delile
7.56 1.98
1.37 2.54 -
1.52 4.80
2.36 2.51 0.48 4.00
5.13 1.52 -
12.50 0.93 0.80 4.80 6.99 1.35 -
2.40 2.25 -
-
-
-
0.77 2.87 -
-
2.50 1.83 0.49 2.98 -
Ibrahim A. Mashaly,et al.
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Table (1).Continued.
Variation group No.
Species
A Mean
109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117
B CV
Mean
0.47 2.19 13.38 0.72 - 0.22 3.74 0.11 4.00 -
9.98 0.27 1.41 0.44 0.68 0.53 1.62
0.15 4.00 -
0.42 3.74 -
2.67 4.80 -
2.21 2.85 1.42 4.12
3.75 0.79 1.40 3.54
6.68 1.35
0.25 0.54 0.76 3.37 -
1.04 4.12 -
129 130 131
Zygophyllum album L.
132
Zygophyllum aegyptium Hosny
133
Zygophyllum coccineum L.
27.78 0.74
134
Zygophyllum decumbense Delile
10.40 1.17
135
Zygophyllum simplex L.
118 119 120 121 122 124 123 125 126 127 128
D
CV
Senecio glaucus L. Silene succulenta Forssk. Silene vivianii Steud. Sonchus oleraceus L. Spergularia marina (L.) Griseb. Spergularia rubra (L.) J. & C. Presl Sphenopus divaricatus (Gouan) Rchb. Sporobolus spicatus (Vahl) Kunth Stipagrostis lanata (Forssk.) De Winter Stipagrostis scoparia (Trin.&Rupr.) Winter Suaeda monoica Forssk. ex J. F. Gmel. Suaeda pruinosa Lange Suaeda vera Forssk. ex J.F. Gmelin Symphyotrichum squmatum (Spreng.) Nesom Tamarix aphylla (L.) H. Karst. Tamarix nilotica (Ehrenb.) Bunge Thymelaea hirsuta (L.) Endl. Trichodesma africanum (L.) R. Br. Trigonella stellata Forssk. Urospermum picroides (L.) F.W. Schmidt Volutaria lippii (L.) Cass. ex Maire Zilla spinosa (L.) Prantl
2.54 4.00 2.36 1.58
4.88 1.85 24.14 0.75 -
-
0.88 2.33
Mean
C CV
Mean
CV
0.79 22.27 0.60 3.72 2.54 2.32 3.35 0.07 4.12 4.80 - 0.43 4.12 2.82 -
4.80 4.80 3.90 3.71 -
- 0.94 3.13 6.82 1.35 0.96 4.80 - 10.26 1.44 10.88 2.24 -
- 19.19 1.28
19.22 0.80
21.29 1.56
-
- 54.97 0.62
-
-
-
-
-
20.58 0.80
-
-
-
-
-
Ibrahim A. Mashaly,et al.
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2. Ordination of sampled stands Using Deterended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) the sampled stands in the study areas were ordinated. The vegetation groups yielded by TWINSPAN classification were obviously distinguishable and having a
Clear pattern of segregation on the ordination planes. As shown in Figure (3), groups A and B were superimposed at the right side of the diagram and the other two groups C and D were also superimposed but at the left side of the diagram.
Fig. (3).Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) ordination of the 70 stands with Vegetation groups of the study areas in North Nile Delta and North Galala Desert. 3. Vegetation-soil relationships 3.1. Variation in soil variables of vegetation groups The variation of soil variables of the four vegetation groups identified by the TWINSPAN classification are shown in Table (2). The soil texture in all groups was mostly composed of coarse fraction (sand) and partly of fine fractions (silt and clay).The highest percentage of sand (95.35%) was attained in group C, while the highest percentages of silt
(12.11%), and clay fractions (3.05%) were attained in group B. In group B, the lowest mean percentage of sand reached 84.84%, while silt (3.70%) and clay (0.52%) were attained in group C. The percentages of soil porosity were higher in group D (37.50%) and group C (36.64%) than in group B (35.11%) and group A (33.98%).The mean value of water- holding capacity was relatively high in group B (28.24%) in comparison to the other groups (D = 27.80% , A = 25.23% and C = 25.11%).
Ibrahim A. Mashaly,et al.
90
Table (2). Mean value and standard error of the different soil variables in the stands representing the different vegetation groups obtained by TWINSPAN classification in the study areas in North Nile Delta and North Galala Desert. Vegetation group A B C D Sand 86.40±2.95 84.84±3.09 95.35±0.87 91.52±0.71 Silt 10.94±2.45 12.11±2.51 3.70±0.68 7.39±0.60 Clay 2.66±0.62 3.05±0.74 0.52±0.11 1.08±0.21 Porosity 33.98±1.51 35.11±1.39 36.64±0.76 37.50±0.56 WHC 25.23±1.88 28.24±2.19 25.11±0.79 27.80±0.84 CaCO3 25.44±2.05 23.49±1.89 8.79±1.26 13.22±1.62 OC 1.07±0.16 0.69±0.11 0.66±0.05 0.69±0.08 pH 8.29±0.07 8.29±0.07 8.18±0.10 8.50±0.07 EC (µmhos/cm) 571.80±67.92 571.80±67.92 495.25±77.08 833.96±378.85 Cl0.08±0.01 0.10±0.03 0.08±0.02 0.16±0.04 -SO4 0.08±0.01 0.09±0.01 0.07±0.01 0.07±0.00 HCO3 0.19±0.03 0.19±0.02 0.13±0.01 0.15±0.01 + Na 43.19±3.92 39.29±5.06 40.38±9.64 54.79±17.14 K+ 5.60±0.49 5.22±0.62 5.72±1.29 8.23±2.31 ++ Ca 12.59±1.14 11.57±1.46 12.07±2.70 19.22±5.41 ++ Mg 6.13±0.55 5.68±0.73 5.78±1.29 8.16±2.42 SAR 13.88±0.66 13.88±0.66 13.00±0.87 11.98±1.40 PAR 1.82±0.09 1.82±0.09 1.76±0.11 1.74±0.18
mg /100g air dry soil
(%)
( % air dry soil)
Soil variable
Abrreviations: WHC= Water-holding capacity, OC= Organic carbon, EC= Electrical conductivity, SAR= sodium adsorption ratio, PAR= Potassium adsorption ratio. The soils of group A showed the highest mean contents of calcium carbonate (25.44%) and organic carbon (1.07%) while, the lowest values were attained in group C (8.79%) and (0.66%), respectively. The soil reaction (pH) of the study areas varied between pH = 8.50 in group D to pH = 8.18 in group B (moderately alkaline). The highest mean average of electrical conductivity (833.96 μmhos/cm) was recorded in group C, while the lowest value (495.25 μmhos/cm) was estimated in group B. The highest mean value of chloride contents was estimated in group D (0.16%), while the lowest percentage was attained in both of groups A and C (0.08 %). Group B recorded the highest mean value of sulphates (0.09%), groups D and C attained the lowest value (0.07%). The soluble carbonates were generally nil in all groups,
while bicarbonates ranged between 0.13% in group C to 0.19% in both of groups A and B. On the other hand, group D attained the highest mean concentration of cations: sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium (54.79, 8.23, 19.22 and 8.16mg/100 g dry soil, respectively). The lowest values of cations were attained in group B (39.29, 5.22, 11.57 and 5.68 mg/100 g dry soil, respectively). The sodium adsorption ratio attained its highest mean value (13.88) in both of groups A and B, and the lowest value (11.98) in group D. On the other hand, the potassium adsorption ratio varied from 1.74 in group D to1.82 in both of groups A and B.
Ecological Studies of Five Species of Genus Zygophyllum 3.2. Correlation between different variables in the sampled stands
soil
91
capacity, calcium carbonate and sodium adsorption ratio, while silt fraction was significantly positive correlated with clay, water-holding capacity, sodium adsorption ratio and calcium carbonate as well as, it showed a negative correlation with pH value. Clay fraction was significantly positively correlated with water-holding capacity and calcium carbonate, and negatively correlated with pH value. Water-holding
The correlation coefficient (r) between the different soil variables in the sampled stands are shown in Table (3). It has been found that, some soil variables were positively correlated with other soil variables such as sand fraction which was significantly correlated with pH and it is negatively correlated with silt, clay, water-holding
Sand
1
Silt
-0.980**
1
Clay
-0.859**
0.783**
1
WHC
-0.666**
0.694**
0.363**
1
Porosity
-0.246*
0.273*
-0.071
0.720**
1
CaCO3
-0.411**
0.371**
0.569(**)
0.055
-0.279*
1
-0.087
0.056
0.172
-0.047
-0.037
0.277*
1
pH
0.364**
0.350**
-0.304*
-0.334**
-0.049
-0.499**
-0.005
1
EC
0.057
-0.055
-0.067
-0.116
-0.013
-0.056
0.15
0.051
Cl
-0.061
0.057
0.011
0.108
0.183
0.068
0.026
-0.136
.263*
1
SO4
-0.196
0.189
0.086
0.294*
0.353**
0.016
-0.078
-0.226
-0.029
0.177
1
HCO3
-0.161
0.135
0.203
0.154
0.139
0.261*
-0.003
-0.049
-0.112
-0.007
0.365**
1
Ca
-0.17
0.179
0.075
0.182
0.156
-0.014
0.132
-0.168
.437**
0.769**
0.13
-0.169
1
Mg
-0.175
0.182
0.089
0.135
0.141
0.031
0.152
-0.183
.464**
0.691**
0.145
-0.169
0.926**
1
Na
-0.18
0.184
0.096
0.133
0.155
0.047
0.152
-0.173
.458**
0.644**
0.132
-0.157
0.870**
0.987**
1
K
-0.131
0.141
0.039
0.143
0.162
-0.03
0.143
-0.177
.437**
0.745**
0.135
-0.185
0.966**
0.975**
0.945**
1
SAR
-.274*
0.269*
0.184
0.177
0.16
0.159
0.174
-0.208
.448**
0.490**
0.13
-0.11
0.750**
0.904**
0.949**
0.836**
1
PAR
-0.162
0.165
0.066
0.153
0.153
0.001
0.169
-0.229
.422**
0.637**
0.172
-0.166
0.893**
0.917**
0.888**
0.954**
0.830**
OC
PAR
SAR
K
Na
Mg
Ca
HCO3
SO4
Cl
EC
pH
OC
CaCO3
Porosity
WHC
Clay
Silt
Sand
Table (3): Person-moment correlation (r) between soil variables in the stands surveyed in different habitats of the study areas in North Nile Delta and North Galala Desert.
1
Abbreviations: WHC = Water holding capacity OC = Organic carbon EC = Electrical conductivity
SAR = Sodium adsorption ratio PAR = Potassium adsorption ratio
* = Significant at p ≤ 0.05 ** = Significant at p ≤ 0.01
1
Ibrahim A. Mashaly,et al. Capacity was significantly correlated with Porosity. Porosity was significantly correlated with sulphates and a negatively correlated with pH value. The electrical conductivity and chlorides exhibited positive significant correlations with calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, SAR and PAR. Sulphates exhibited significant positive correlations with bicarbonates only.Sodium cation exhibited positive significant correlations with potassium, SAR and PAR. Potassium cation exhibited also positive significant correlations with SAR and PAR. Calcium cation exhibited significant positive correlations with magnesium, sodium, potassium, SAR and PAR. Magnesium cation also exhibited positive significant correlations with sodium, potassium, SAR and PAR. Sodium adsorption ratio exhibited a positive significant correlation with PAR. It has been also found that, some soil variables such as organic carbon, pH value, bicarbonates and potassium absorption ratios showed no correlations with other soil variables.
92 3.3. Correlation between soil variables and vegetation gradients The linkage between vegetation and soil characteristics is illustrated on the ordination diagram yielded from Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) of the biplot of species or groups and environmental variables (Figure 4). It is obvious that, clay, pH, sulphates, sodium absorption ratio, sodium, EC, magnesium, potassium absorption ratio, potassium and organic carbon showed important correlations with the first and second axes. Porosity, calcium, chlorides, water-holding capacity and bicarbonates showed moderate significant correlations. On the other hand, the other soil variables exhibited low important correlations with the first and second axes. In the upper right side of CCA diagram, Zygophyllum aegyptium, as a dominant species in group C showed a close relationships with potassium cation, Rumex pictusas an important species in group C showed close ralationships with potassium absorption ratio, electrical
Fig. (4). Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) ordination diagram of plant species with soil variables represented by arrows in the study areas in North Nile Delta and North Galala Desert. The indicator and preferential species are abbreviated to the first three letters of the genus and species respectively.
conductivity, magnesium, sodium, potassium, organic carbon,Porosity and sodium absorption ratio. Both Zygophyllum decmbens and Panicum turgidumas which
were important species in group A showed close relationships with sodium absorption ratio. On the other hand, in the upper left side, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum as an indicator species in group D showed close
Ecological Studies of Five Species of Genus Zygophyllum relationships with calcium and chloride contents, and Cakile maritime subsp. aegyptiaca and important species in group C showed close ralationships with calcium, chlorides, calcium carbonate and sulphates. In the lower right side, Zygophyllum simplex as codominant species in group B and Zygophyllum album as an important species in groups C and D showed a close ralationship with pH. On the other hand, in the lower left side Senecio glaucus as an important species in group D and Bassia muricata in groups B and C showed close ralationships with waterholding capacity and bicarbonates. Discussion In the Deltaic Mediterranean coast and North Galala Desert (Eastern Desert), the results showed that, the study areas are rich in their plant species both at specific and generic levels. The natural plant cover of these areas was composed of 135 plant species belonging to 104 genera and related to 31 families. The TWINSPAN application sorted the vegetation structure related to the chosen Zygophyllum species into four groups. Group A was codominated by Zygophyllum coccineum and Zilla spinosa, group B was codominated by Zygophyllum simplex, Zygophyllum coccineum and Haloxylon salicornicum, group C was dominated by Zygophyllum aegyptium and group D was dominated by Zygophyllum coccineum. Groups A and B may represent the vegetation types of the North Galala Desert in the Eastern Desert of Egypt, while groups C and D may represent the vegetation types of the Deltaic Mediterranean coast. The identified vegetation groups in the current study were obviously similar to those studied by Kassas and Girgis (1965), Kassas (1966), Mashaly et al. (1995), Mashaly (1996), Abd El-Ghani (1998), Abd El-Ghani et al. (2013), Abd ElAal (2013) and Salama et al. (2014 a & b). DCA ordination diagram showed that, the four vegetation groups derived by TWINSPAN classification are located on the positive side on the first and second ordination axes. It's obvious that, groups A and B were superimposed at the right side of the diagram, and the other two groups C and
93
D were also superimposed but at the left side of the diagram, this may be due to their floristic composition. The obtained results concerning the DCA ordination in the present investigation were in agreement with the studies carried out by El-Karnawdy (2015), Khorshied (2015) and Deweeb (2015). In the present study, the application of Canoncal Correspondence Analysis (CCAbiplot) between the position of vegetation groups on the ordination planes and soil variables of their stands indicated that, the major agents controlling the distribution of vegetation in the study areas were: clay, pH, sulphates, sodium absorption ratio, sodium, electrical conductivity, magnesium, potassium adsorption ratio, potassium and organic carbon. These results are in agreement with previous investigators, such as: Mashaly (1987, 2001 & 2002), Galal and Fawzy (2007). Mashaly et al. (2008) and ElHalawany et al. (2010). Conclusions From the current work, it is concluded that, the natural plant cover of the study areas was composed of 135 species of 104 genera and 31 families. Four groups were yielded from TWINSPAN applications that classify the stands according to the importance values of the listed plant species in 70 sampled stands. Groups A and B may represent the vegetation kinds of the inland desert area, while groups C and D may represent the vegetation types of the coastal desert. The linkage between vegetation and soil variables was illustrated on the ordination diagram resulted from Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). It showed that, the main edaphic agents that control the abundance and distribution of the particular vegetation groups were: clay, pH, sulphates, sodium absorption ratio, sodium cation, electrical conductivity, magnesium cation, potassium absorption ratio, potassium and organic carbon.
Ibrahim A. Mashaly,et al. Referencs Abd El-Aal, M. (2013). Plant Life in the Different Habitats in El-Behira Governorate, Egypt: Ecology and Economic Potentialities. Ph.D. Thesis, Fac. Sci., Mansoura Univ., Egypt. Abd El-Ghani, M. M. (1997). Vegetation Analysis and Species Diversity Along an Altitudinal Gradient in the Central Hijaz Mountains of Saudi Arabia. Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research, 15 (2): 399–414. Abd El-Ghani, M. M. (1998). Environmental Correlates of Species Distribution in Arid Desert Ecosystems of Eastern Egypt. Journal of Arid Environments, 38: 297–313. Abd El-Ghani, M. M. (2000). Floristic and Environmental Relations in Two Extreme Desert Zones of Western Egypt. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 9: 499–516. Abd El-Ghani, Salama, F.S and El-Tayeh, M. (2013). Desert Roadside Vegetation in Eastern Egypt and Environmental Determinants for its Distribution.Phytologia Balcanica, 19(2): 233-242. Allen, S.E., Grimshaw, H.M., Parkinson, J.A., Quarmby, C. and Roberts, J.D. (1974). Chemical Analysis of Ecological Materials. Blackwell Scientific Publications.Osney, Oxford, London pp 565. Batanouny, K. H. and Ezzat, N. H. (1971). Eco-physiological Studies on Desert Plants. I. Autecology of Zygophyllum species growing in Egypt. Oecologia, 7: 170-183. Boulos, L. (1999, 2000, 2002 & 2005). Flora of Egypt. Vols. 1, 2, 3 & 4. Al-Hadara Puplishing. Cairo, Egypt. Boulos, L. (2009). Flora of Egypt Checklist Revised. Annoted Edition. Al-Hadara Publishing. Cairo, Egypt. Canfield, R. (1941). Application of the Line Interception Method in Sampling Range Vegetation. J. Forestry, 39: 288 – 394. Deweeb, M. R. (2015). Ecology and Economic Potentialities of Some Species of Genus Plantago in Egypt.
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دراسات نباتيه اجتماعيه و بيئية على خمسة انواع من جنس الرطريط بمصر ابراهيم عبد الرحيم مشالي ,ياسر احمد االمير ,ايه عبد اللطيف محمد قسم النبات – كلية العلوم – جامعة المنصوره – مصر.
)album
يه د ه اددلا البلددت الددو فا د يم وصددلا فلصدديليا للمممددا العيميددن لامسددة ان دوان مددب جددنل الر ددر و ا د نبددات ع د ال لبددن (Zygophyllumو نبد د ددات الر د د ددر المصد د ددر
)Zygophyllum aegyptiumو نبد د ددات الر د د ددر المد د ددب
(Zygophyllum decumbensو نبدات قلدم (Zygophyllum coccineumونبدات جرمد
simplex
ف ك مب من اة شمال صلراء الجملن بالصلراء الشرقين و من اة سال البلر المفوس ال لفاو بمصر.
)Zygophyllum
اظهددرت النفددامل فسددجي 135نوعددا مددب النبافددات ال ار ددن الف د فنفم د الددو 104جنسددا وفا د فلددت 31عاملددة نبافيددن وباسددفا ام عرن ددامل الفصددني
ن ددام االفجدداه )TWINSPANامك ددب الفعددره عل ددو 4مجموعددات نبافي ددن فميد د ت المجموع ددة )A
بسديا ه مشدفركن عديب كد مدب نبدات قلدم (Zygophyllum coccineumو نبدات السدلن (Zilla spinosaو المجموعدة Bفاد فميد ت بسديا ه مشدفركن عديب كد مدب نبدات قلدم (Zygophyllum coccineumو نبدات جرمد
نبات الرمت . )Haloxylon salicornicumعينما ف المجموعة Cسا نبدات الر در المصدر
)aegyptium
ال نس
(Zygophyllum simplexو (Zygophyllum
و المجموعددة Dسددا اا نبددات قلددم .(Zygophyllum coccineumو باسددفا ام عرنددامل الفو د الف ددابا
)CCAامكب فل ي اام عوامد الفرهدن المده ره فد فو د ووفدرم المجموعدات النبافيدن فد العيمدات المافللدن بمن افد ال ارسدن
وكانددت اددله العوام د فشددم ا ملفددوا ال دديب و االل الهي د روجين للفرهددن و ال عر فددات و نسددبة ا مصددا الصو يوم و الفوصي ال هره و الماغنسيوم و نسبة ا مصا
الصددو يوم و كددافيوب
العوفاسيوم و كافيوب العوفاسيوم و ال رهوب العضو .
