PJB-2018-1070
PLANT BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT OF WADI AR'AR FENCED AREAS (PLANT ENCLOSURES) IN NORTHERN BORDER REGION OF SAUDI ARABIA
AHMED KAMAL ELDIN OSMAN
Abstract
Saudi Arabia is one of the fastest growing countries in the region. Among the plant species recorded in Saudi Arabia, about 30% are rare and about 18 species are believed to have been extinct locally. The study aims to provide the researchers in various scientific fields with a documented list of plant species available in the studied area. The present study focused on an analysis of vegetation types, life forms, as well as floristic categories and species distribution in four fenced areas (Aoasa, Mayla, Goraba and Aqra) of wadi Ar'ar (Northern Border region of Saudi Arabia). A total of 273 taxa belonging to 35 families and 169 genera of vascular plants were recorded. The largest families in terms of species number were Asteraceae, Poaceae and Fabaceae. In regard to vegetation type, the majority of the recorded species in this study were annuals, while the lowest number of species was recorded for perennial, short perennial or annual to biennial species. Therophytes were the most abundant life form. From a phytogeographical point of view, the recorded species were classified into three groups; monoregional, biregional and pluriregional. Twenty four species were listed as cosmopolitan, paleotropical or pantropical. One important step in preserving our wild plants is to expand knowledge of vegetation and find solutions to preserve the environment and species from extinction
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