Floristic Composition and Edaphic Influences in the Gulf of Suez, Red Sea Coastal Desert: A Comparative Study of Inland and Coastal Areas

Abstract

This study provides a comparative analysis of plant species composition and distribution between the inland and coastline areas of the Gulf of Suez, Red Sea coastal desert, aiming to enhance understanding of desert plant communities and their relationship with edaphic factors. The study identified 119 plant taxa from 32 families, with the Asteraceae family being the most species-rich, representing 16.8% (20 species), followed by Amaranthaceae (13.4%, 16 species), and Fabaceae, Poaceae, Zygophyllaceae, and Brassicaceae (7.5% each). Coastal areas supported 93 species, while inland areas hosted 73 species. The life form spectrum in the Red Sea coastal desert showed dominance of Chamaephytes (39.50%) and Therophytes (37.82%) with Phanerophytes (12.61%), Hemicryptophytes (6.72%), Cryptophytes (3.36%) and Parasites (0.84%). Inland areas had a higher proportion of Chamaephytes (46.58%) and Phanerophytes (15.07%), while the coastline had a more balanced distribution, with both Chamaephytes and Therophytes each making up 37.63%. In terms of plant assemblages, coastal regions exhibited seven distinct groupings, such as the Haloxylon salicornicum and Tamarix nilotica assemblages, while inland regions had five, including assemblages dominated by Zilla spinosa, Launaea spinosa, and Farsetia aegyptia. TWINSPAN analysis revealed significant ecological differences between the two regions. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) indicated that coastal species were primarily influenced by high salinity and ion concentrations, while inland species were more affected by factors like potassium, pH, and calcium carbonate. This study underscores the critical role of understanding these environmental gradients for sustainable management and conservation of Egypt’s desert ecosystems.