Ecological insights and floristic diversity pattern of the reclaimed desert agroecosystems in Egypt's Western Desert: A case study of El-Keram integrated farm system
Heneidy, S., Al-Sodany, Y., Baidak, L., Hamouda, S., Halmy, M., Fakhry, A., Toto, S., El-Khalafy, M., El kenany, E. (2025). Ecological insights and floristic diversity pattern of the reclaimed desert agroecosystems in Egypt's Western Desert: A case study of El-Keram integrated farm system. EKB Journal Management System, 65(3), 519-535. doi: 10.21608/ejbo.2025.358018.3177
Selim Heneidy; Yassin Al-Sodany; Laila Baidak; Sania Hamouda; Marwa Halmy; Amal Fakhry; Soliman Toto; Mohamed El-Khalafy; Eman El kenany. "Ecological insights and floristic diversity pattern of the reclaimed desert agroecosystems in Egypt's Western Desert: A case study of El-Keram integrated farm system". EKB Journal Management System, 65, 3, 2025, 519-535. doi: 10.21608/ejbo.2025.358018.3177
Heneidy, S., Al-Sodany, Y., Baidak, L., Hamouda, S., Halmy, M., Fakhry, A., Toto, S., El-Khalafy, M., El kenany, E. (2025). 'Ecological insights and floristic diversity pattern of the reclaimed desert agroecosystems in Egypt's Western Desert: A case study of El-Keram integrated farm system', EKB Journal Management System, 65(3), pp. 519-535. doi: 10.21608/ejbo.2025.358018.3177
Heneidy, S., Al-Sodany, Y., Baidak, L., Hamouda, S., Halmy, M., Fakhry, A., Toto, S., El-Khalafy, M., El kenany, E. Ecological insights and floristic diversity pattern of the reclaimed desert agroecosystems in Egypt's Western Desert: A case study of El-Keram integrated farm system. EKB Journal Management System, 2025; 65(3): 519-535. doi: 10.21608/ejbo.2025.358018.3177

Ecological insights and floristic diversity pattern of the reclaimed desert agroecosystems in Egypt's Western Desert: A case study of El-Keram integrated farm system

Egyptian Journal of Botany
Article 43, Volume 65, Issue 3, July 2025, Page 519-535  XML PDF (1.76 MB)
Document Type: Regular issue (Original Article)
DOI: 10.21608/ejbo.2025.358018.3177
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Authors
Selim Heneidy email orcid 1; Yassin Al-Sodanyorcid 2; Laila Baidakorcid 1; Sania Hamoudaorcid 1; Marwa Halmyorcid 3; Amal Fakhryorcid 1; Soliman Totoorcid 1; Mohamed El-Khalafyorcid 2; Eman El kenanyorcid 4
1Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
2Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt
3Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
4Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Pharos University in Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
Abstract
Agroecosystems are modified natural systems designed to produce food and fiber, integrating ecosystem services like soil fertility enhancement, water provisioning, and pollination. In Egypt, land reclamation projects in the Western Desert aim to alleviate overpopulation pressures, enhance food security, and transform arid landscapes into productive agricultural areas. This study investigates the floristic diversity and ecological patterns of reclaimed agroecosystems in the El-Beheira Governorate, a key region for agricultural expansion. Fieldwork was conducted in 2022, surveying 29 stands, including natural and reclaimed habitats, to document plant species composition, life forms, habitats, and chorological types. Diversity patterns were analyzed using alpha diversity indices, while vegetation communities were classified using TWINSPAN and DECORANA. Soil samples from each stand were analyzed for texture, nutrients, and salinity to identify edaphic drivers of diversity. The results revealed 111 plant species spanning multiple life forms and geographic origins, reflecting the interaction of natural desert vegetation with reclaimed agricultural habitats. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) highlighted significant relationships between environmental variables and vegetation communities, demonstrating the influence of soil salinity, nutrient availability, and land management practices on floristic diversity.
The findings underscore the importance of sustainable agricultural practices in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem functionality in reclaimed agroecosystems. Recommendations for biodiversity conservation and habitat management include minimizing agrochemical inputs, enhancing soil fertility naturally, and integrating natural vegetation patches into agricultural landscapes. This study provides valuable insights into the ecological dynamics of reclaimed desert agroecosystems, contributing to efforts aimed at balancing agricultural productivity with biodiversity conservation in arid regions.
Keywords
diversity pattern; reclaimed desert; vegetation communities; alien species; vegetation changes; sustainable farming practices
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