Effect of seashore distance on potential distribution, floristic diversity, and salt marsh migration of mareotic halophytes in Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Botany & Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Egypt

Abstract

A key aspect of climate change influencing coastal areas globally is sea level rise, which leads to accelerated habitat shifts. Extreme halophytes are remarkable plants capable of functioning normally on saline soil of the coastal areas. The current research investigates the floristic structure of the extreme halophytic plant communities within 54 sites distributed in coastal and inland salt marsh habitats. To draw attention to the environmental factors that determine species distribution. Also, to detect the effect of the distance from the sea on the floristic composition. The results of the study indicated that as distance from the coast increased, there was an associated decrease in the abundance of species, genera, and families, attributable to a simultaneous increase in salinity levels. We can conclude that by moving farther away from the sea, the soil salinity increases, inland marsh migration occurs, and floristic diversity decreases as only extreme halophytic species can withstand. Consequently, the process of marsh migration serves a significant role in facilitating the adaptation of salt marshes to the phenomenon of sea-level rise.

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Taeckholmia
Volume 43, Issue 1
Taeckholmia Volume: 43 Issue:1 April 2023
2023
Pages 120-140

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