Plant diversity Of Wadi El-Ghayl, Aseer mountains, Saudi Arabia

Abstract EN

Vegetation analysis was undertaken in Wadi El-Ghayl, 25 km south of Al Harajah Town, South West Saudi Arabia, with an altitude ranges between 2100-2185 m.a.s.l.

The flora of the Wadi comprises a total of 35 species of vascular plants belonging to 17 families. Chamaephytes, phanerophytes and hemi-cryptophtes are the dominant life forms.

Four vegetation groups were recognized based on application of TWINSPAN and DCA analysis; Group (A) is characterized by Acacia asak, Aizoon canariense and Ochradenus baccatus.

Aerva lanata, Fagonia bruguieri and Ziziphus spina-christi are dominant species.

Group (A) is an indicator to the slopes of the rocky granitic plateau (2185 m.a.s.l), where plants grow between fissures of the rock.

Group (B) is characterized by Acacia tortilis, A..woodii, Citrullus colocynthis, Solanum incanum, Pulicaria crispa and Ficus sycomorus.

This group is located in the main wadi bed and the lower stream of the wadi (2100 m.a.s.l). Agriculture practiced on the eastern depression of the wadi bed depending on the ground water.

Group (C) is indicated by Euphorbia balsamiflora and Klenia odorata Aerva lanata and Commicarpus helnae.

This habitat is cretaceous debris of stony plateau, and the area with a high altitude of 2185 m.a.s.l.

Group (D) is indicated by Acacia woodii, Acacia sp, Calotropis procera andCommicrpus helenae.

The habitat is stony plateau on 2185 m.a.s.l.