Author(s): M.A. El.Demerdash and A.M. Zilay
Article publication date: 1994-08-01
Vol. 12 No. 2 (yearly), pp. 285-299.
DOI:
265

Keywords

soil conditions, plant ecology, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Jizan region is located on the Red Sea coast in the South Western corner of Saudi Arabia. This region is situated in the tropical arid zone of the Arabian desert. Seventy stands, representing the physiographic and physiognomic variations in the area of study. were selected. From an ecological and geomorphological point of view , five distinct habitat types are recognizable in Tihamah coastal plains namely: shore-line , sand formations, salt marshes, wadis and rocky hills. A total of 153 plant species belonging to 46 families occupied the different habitat types of the Tihamah plains. Gramineae attaining 25. 7% of the total recorded species. The chamaephytes and therophytes life-forms are the most dominant life-form in the study area. Soil conditions, water availability, as well as, anthropogenic influences, playa leading role in the distribution of the various plant communities and their composition