Ecological status of the Mediterranean Juniperus phoenicea L. Relicts in the desert mountains of North Sinai, Egypt

Juniperus phoenicea L is listed as threatened tree by IUCN Red List In Egypt, J phoenicea L is the only conifer tree that is restricted to the three mountains of northern Sinai Cabal El-Halal, Cabal El-Maghara and Cabal Yelleq As a Mediterranean relict it has been included in a national list as target for conservation and management To provide baseline information for the development of a conservation strategy, the present study aims at comparing the isolated populations of J phoenicea and their associated plant composition and diversity at the three mountains The application of TWINSPAN and DCA analysis techniques has resulted in identifying of four vegetation types associated with juniper, and each could be related to a specific geomorphologic habitat on a topographic gradient Chiliadenus montanus and Zygophyllum dumosum characterized the slopes of smooth-faced rock outcrops in Wadi Abu Seyal (at 350-470 m altitude of Cabal El-Halal), Deverra tortuosa, Ephedra aphylla and Gymnocarpos decander inhabited together with the target species the soil pockets of north-facing slope in Neqeb Abu Hamam (at 600-700 m altitude of Cabal El-Halal), Stachys aegyptiaca and Moricandia nitens characterized the juniper occurrences in the runnels of Wadi Arar (at 450-560 m altitude of Cabal El-Maghara), and Artemisia herba-alba, Atriplex halimus and Reaumuria hirtella represent the stands on slope runnels (at 900-960 m) of Cabal Yelleq The two vegetation types recognized at Cabal El-Halal had, on average, the highest species diversity, juniper density and cover Juniper shows generally poor conditions of vitality at higher elevation (600-960 m) with a higher proportions of old and recent dead trees, and with the predominance of male individuals, as compared with the populations of Cabal El-Maghara and Cabal Yelleq. In contrast, the juniper populations at lower elevation (350-470 m) of Cabal El-Halal proved to be in best condition with mostly living foliage and reproductive branches The differences in rock types and elevation among the three mountains reflect serious limitation on recruitment of J phoenicea due to moisture availability The results of this study showed that J phoenicea is an endangered species and its conservation in northern Sinai mountains is a priority For a successful conservation of this community it is highly recommended to preserve in particular the suitable habitats at Cabal El-Halal, but also the other stands merit conservation measures (C) 2009 Elsevier GmbH All rights reserved