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. 2021 Jun;28(6):3309-3324.
doi: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.02.076. Epub 2021 Mar 4.

Natural plant species inventory of hotspot areas in Arabian Peninsula: Southwest Al-Baha region, Saudi Arabia

Ali A Al-Namazi  1 , Abdul Wali A Al-Khulaidi  2   3 , Saeed Algarni  4 , Nageeb A Al-Sagheer  5   3
Affiliations

Natural plant species inventory of hotspot areas in Arabian Peninsula: Southwest Al-Baha region, Saudi Arabia

Ali A Al-Namazi et al. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2021 Jun.

Abstract

Plant hotspot areas are the areas that are very rich in plant species diversity. These areas have a priority for conservation. To highlight the plant diversity for nature conservation purposes a case study in Al Baha region, Saudi Arabia is presented, in which the importance of the natural vegetation and flora of one of the hotspot areas of Saudi Arabia is evaluated through the explanation of its natural plant species. A survey study has been conducted in an area of 167.6 km2, a 97 sample each with 20X20 m were laid out covering the whole ecological zones of the study site. Data of flora, vegetation cover and topography were gathered from each sample site. The study revealed about 319 plant species belonging to 228 genera and 75 families. Two species were found endemic to Saudi Arabia, 14 were endemics to Arabian Peninsula, and five were regional endemics that are only found in East Africa and Arabian Peninsula, while 39 species are rare and endangered.

Keywords: Arabian Peninsula; Endangered species; Endemism; Hotspot areas; Plant diversity; Rare.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The location of the study area.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The altitude of the study area.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Eastern Africa, 1 Somalia, 2 Ethiopia, 3 Djibouti, 4 Sudan (North & South), 5 Uganda, 6 Kenya, 7 Tanzania.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
The concentration of endemic, rare and endangered plant species.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
High represented families with their percentage.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Most abundant species with their percentage frequency.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Most density species with their density per hectare.
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
The most diverse sample sites are around Hawala and at the top of Al Abna descent.
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
Rare species representing a family with a single species. The latitude and altitude points and the scale are for enlarged map.
Fig. 10
Fig. 10
Number of species (Richness) per sample site (20 by 20 m.) top and density of plant species per km2. Below.
Fig. 11
Fig. 11
The distribution of Teclea nobilis, Boscia angustifolia.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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