Vertical and Horizontal Distribution of Vegetation Communities and Habitats in Assir Mountains PDF

Keywords

mountains, habitats, plant communities

Abstract

Data analysis and reconnaissance surveys showed that from an ecological and geomorphological point of view, the research area could be divided horizontally into two distinct plant communities (mountainous plant community and semi-desert plant community) and vertically into five plant habitat types, namely the toe-slope habitat, foot-slope habitat, mid-slope habitat, shoulder slope habitat and summit slope habitat. The recognised communities and habitat types varied in their environmental features (topography, soil conditions and the degree of animal impacts) and consequently in their vegetation composition. Although the vegetation density in this area is low (2.71/100 m2), it is considered relatively high compared with other areas in Saudi Arabia. However, great diversities in density and distribution of vegetation were found between slope segments, and also generally between the south-west and north-east parts of the research area. The floristic composition and distribution of main plant groups were found to reflect the condition of soil and the topographical variety in Assir Mountains.