Updating and assessing plant endemism in Egypt

Abstract

This study aimed to update and assess the list of endemic plants in the Egyptian flora, based on information obtained during field trips, literature reviews, and herbaria consultations. Life forms, habitat, national distribution, rarity forms, local threats, and conservation status according to IUCN categories, were estimated for these plants. Twenty field visits were conducted from summer 2015 to spring 2020 to many locations all over Egypt. The recent list includes 42 species (belonging to 37 genera and 20 families inhabiting 10 main habitats). Rocky surfaces and sandy formations have the highest number of endemic species, most of them are therophytes. Sinaitico-Arabian sector is the richest in endemics (19 taxa), followed by the Marioutico-Arishian (17 taxa). Small geographic range-small habitat-non-abundant plants are the most represented rarity form. All endemics are exposed to at least one type of local threat, the most prominent threats being over-collecting and over-cutting. According to the guidelines of IUCN, 31 of the endemic taxa are threatened, thus requiring in situ and ex situ conservation. Out of them, 11 taxa are believed to be Extinct, five are Critically Endangered, and 15 Endangered. In addition, 11 taxa are evaluated as Data Deficient. Further studies are still needed to verify and fill the information gaps about the Egyptian endemics.