Proc. 2 Saw Sei. Conf.Fa: Sei, KAU, 15-17 March 2003, PartT, pp.129-140 (2005 A.D/L425 A.M. Vegetation Study within El-Riyadh City ‘Waraa K. TAIA*; WAFAA M .AL-GIANEM and HAYFAA A. EL-OLAVAN?* * Faculty of Science, Botany Dept., Alexandria Univ., Alexandria, Egypt. “Faculty of Education For Girls, Botany Dept, Scientific Sec., P.O. Box 2704, El-Riyadh {1417 ABSTRACT. ‘This stody deals with the analysis of the vegetation of five locations within ELRivadh city in central Saudi Arabia. The work aims 10 recognize and define tne different vegetation \ypes and plant coramunitics as well as to estimate the change in the vegetation over time using concepts of climate, for biological conservation and management purposes. To alain these aims we have carefully chosen five locations in El-Riyadh region to cover different habitat types namely: 1-The beginning of El-Riyadh- ElKharg road south east ELRivadh city in which the vegetation is aficted by the pollutants which emerge from the nearby factories. 2-El-Nargis district, in froat of El Emam Mohaned bin Saud Islamic University. north El-Riyadh in which the vegetation is exposed to the edaphie factors. 3-Wadi Hanif, south El-Riyedh in which the vegetation is exposed to mare water resourees from neighbouring high rounds. 4 & 5-King khalid research eenter for wild life in Bl-Thomamal at the slope of Touwaik mountain, north El-Riyadh, 4-Exposed vegetation ie. pactisl protected vegetation, -Prected vegetation. The results obtained proved that the vegetation in El-Riyadh region is scanty. diffuse. open and is largely influenced hhy human impacts and over grazing. It is dominated by perennial xerophytic shrubs which normally inhabit the disturbed habitats, and it is affected hy drought stress throughout the last ten years. The diversity indices are very low which pointed to the sevecr effect ef inunan iimpact, over grazing and bot edaphic and climatic factors. Finally, flash-light has heen switched on to illustiate the direction of the vegetation dynaiies, as previously dominaced species become assoeiates to new species tha start to dominate, Introduction Saudi Arabia is one of the large counties in the world. It posesses about 4/5 the area of the Arabian peninsula. This country has its characteristic plant forms, that encouraged the ecologists to study its vegetation. Since long time ago. Zohary (1957) is one of the pioneers who studied the flora of Saudi Arabia. Afterwards, DeMarco and Dinelli (1974) gave a satisfactory description of the flora of the country. Migahid and El-Sheikh (1977) described the major habitats and the plant populations in both central and eastern parts of Saudi Arabia. Since that time, lot of descriptive works have been done in order to cover the variations in both the habitats and plant populations {Migahid (1978, 1988, 1989 & 1990); Batanouny & Baeshin (1982); Chaudhary (1983, 1989 & 1999); Heemstra et al.(1990); Al- Welaie ef al, (1993); Shaltout & Mady (1993 & 1996); Chandhary & Al-Jowaid (1999); 129130 Wafoa B. Tanke, Wajaa M AU-GHomem and axfoa 4, EL Olasan Hassan & Al-Hemaid (1997); Taia & El-Ghanem (2001) and Taia & El-Olayan (2003)} These works and many others have added a fot in understanding the tyge of vegetation and the environmental conditions affected it. In the same time, they become documents to know how much the change in the environmental factors affected the dominant species covering this area. As well as, these previous works can help those who work in plant conservation and management to protcet the species under stress, ‘The present study is carried out (o identify the dominant and associate species grown in five locations within El-Riyadh city, central Savdi Arabia. Compare the recent species lists with the previous Nloristic works to illustrate the vegetation dynamic, and to know the effect of plant proteetion in both specics diversity and richness. The Study Area dh city is located a¢ Najd platcau, which is an elevated ground belongs to the Afro-Arabian shield, in the center of Saudi Arabia, It is surrounded by large mountains and wide areas of sandy deserts; El-Debnaa, El-Nofud & El-Robee al khaly. It has a characteristic climate which can be described by being over dry and hot with very low water soil contents (table 1). The five studied locations are as follows (Fig. 1): 1- The beginning of El-Riyadh-El-Kharg road, south-east El-Riyadh city, where the vegetation is affected by the nearby factories pollutants. 2- El-Nargis district, in front of El-Emam Mohamed bin Saud Islamic University, north El-Riyadh where the vegetation is typically exposed to the natural edaphic factors of the city. 3 Wadi Hanifa, south El-Riyadh where the vegetation is more lucky in water coming from neighbouring high grounds , the vegetation has been studied in order to cover the beginning, the slope and the bed of the wai. 4 & §- King Khalid research center for wild life in El-Thomamah district at the slope of Touwaik mountain, north El-Riyadh, 4- Exposed vegetation i.c. partially protected & 5+ Completely protected vegetation ‘Methods ‘A {otal of fourty onc sampling quadrats (10 X 10 m2) were selected in order to cover most of vegclation variations in the five sites as follows: eight quadrats in the first and the second locations, fifteen quadrats in the third location (five in the beginning, five in the slope and five in the bed) and another ten in the fourth and fifth locations (five in each). A monthly visit was done from October 1999 till June 2001. Floristic lists, counts of the individual species was done (0 caleulate the importance value of the recorded species (Ludwig and Reynolds, [988). Classification of the stands were carried out by multivariate analysis (El-Demerdash ef ai..1995) and by using a TWINSPAN computer programme (Hili,1979), clustering tree were obtained to show the relations between the quadrats (Fig. 2). Diversity indices; Shannon, specics richness and evenness; have been calculated (Piclou, 1975 and Magurran, 1988). One way ANOVA test was carried out to evaluate the effect of complete plant protection on species richness and evenness,Vegetation Suc witan ED Riva Cw 11 ‘Tale (2). Variations inthe climate during the period 1992-2002. Climate Temp. Rainfal | Humid Evaporation Wind Monte (ear) mmm. % mbar vel&Dir.node in. | Max | Min. | Max. | Min, Min. | Max. Min. | Max. January | 6.1092) | 16.2(92) | Trace | 546) 38 57 | 108 | 4N | 6SSE 10.5(94) | 23.504) | (94.95) |_@3)_| (05.97) (| 6 | sy | 498) February | 9.0092) |204092)| a9 | sé | 23 39 [103 | OSE | 85SE 13,509) | 25.8109) way | 03) | 7 on | oo | oy | ox Mareh 12492) | 23.4092)| 1.7 | 10d | 2 58107 | 68SE | 8SSE 15.4964 | 28.109) | (92) | 5) | 2 | oy | on | os ‘April 18.597) | 31.305) | OL | 65.6 | 18 67 | 119 | SWSW) 8N 20.0194) | 35.899) | (92) | (93) | (99) _| (95,96) | «9 | 3) | 03) | 2) May 24.3192) | 372009/ 00 [395 | 12 | 26 | 59 | tad | se | aN 26.2(99) | 40.8099) |_@2)_|_@3)_| 9) | 3) | (9 | 3) |) _|_O4) Tune 25.6(82) | 41.6(93)) 00 | Trae | 8 127 43 | 71 | SN | 9NNW 29.1098) | 44.4199) «7.98)|_@4) | 66) | 9 | @s) | 2 | a) Suly 27.0692) | 41.704) | 00] Trace | 8 12 [48 [74 | SNW | ONNW 30.6(96) | 44.4496), 598 { 6) | 8) | 69 | | w) | 4 ‘August — | 26.4(93) | 42.002] 90 | Teace | 10 | is | 57 | 9.7 | SN | IN 30.1(92) | 44.9(98) 493)_| 495) |_198)_| (4) | os) | @2)_| 197,99) September [22.8(97) | 39.1092) 00 | Trace | 12 | 16 | 59 | 80 | 4N | 7NNW 28.498) | 42.6(97) 8) | 03.99) @4 | 95 | 498) | on | 2 October | 188092) 24.796) [ 00 | Ma] 13 | 38 | 50) ILS | 38SE | SNE 22.6(94} | 36.2099) oy | oy | op oy) 67 | wy | 03) November | 12.1195) | 23.6097) | 0.002, [ 300 | 23 | 7S” | 5.3) 162 | 2SSE | 8SE 17.1094) | 30.2198) | 93.94) | 07) | 8) | on | oH | 97) | 3 | 4 December | 9.494) | 1795) | 0.0 | 639 | 29 | 7 | 62) ILS] 3886 | 7SE 12192) | 27.498) | go | 05) | 9H | os) | | 09 | os) | os “es Zz, BeRiyadh A Fig. (I). Map showing the difexent locations studied,132 Wofaa K. Tana, Walaa M, Al-Ghanem and Hasfaa A. El-Olaxan Results The results are summerised in tables |, 2, 3 & 4. From table 1, we can notice that during the summer, the temperature has its maximum degree, the weather is dry and considerably windy. This weather affects the vegetation in that period in all the studied areas, which is mostly abscent. During the rest of the year the vegetation is considerably poor in autumn and start to grow in winter and spring, The number of the annual species are considerably high in wadi Hanifa and in king Khalid research center (Locs. 3, 4 & 5). Table (2) summarises the species recorded, which are sixty six (twenty four annuals and the rest are perennials; seven species only belong to the monocot. and fifty nine to the dicots.), their presence in the five locations and their relative importance value as means throughout the period of study. From table 2, we can observe that the most important species in the studied locations are: Salsola baryosma, Phragmites australis & Zygophytium migahidii, their RIV are $1.08, 33,14 & 25.13 respectively. From the species recorded, seven community types have been recognized as follows: 1- Zygophyllum migahidit This type is dominant in the first location and ean be found in the second location as well. This plant community is dominated by Zygophyllum migahidi and accompanied by, Anabasis setifera, Ochradenus baccatus, Salsola baryosma Tamarix aphylla & Zilla spinosa. 2-Salsola barosma This plant community is dominated by Salsola baryosma with, Basia eriophora, Francoeuria crispa, Tamarix aphylla & Zygophyllum migahidii as associates. This type can be observed in the second location i.e. itis typically xcrophytic type. 3+ Zilla spinosa In which Zilla spinosa dominate and accompanied by Astragalus spinosus, Cenchrus cilliaris, Cynodon dactylon, Francoeuria crispa & Prosopis spicigera . This community is present in the beginning of wadi Hanif, 4- Francoeuria crispa This community type is dominated by Francoeuria crispa with the association of, Fagonia bruguierl, Frankenia pulverulenta, Salsola baryosma , Zilla spinosa & Zygophyllum migahidii. This community type is present in the slope of wadi Hanifa. 5- Phragmites australis type is characterized by the abundance of Phragmites australis with the chylis carduus, Fagonia braguieri, Polypogon monospliensis & Tamarix aphsila, This community is distributed in the bed of wadi Hanifa 6-Hammada elegans This community is dominated by Hammada elegans and is associated by Basia eriophora & Pituranthus triradians, This community is found in king Khalid research center locations (4 &5). 7- Rhanterium epaposum This plant community is present in location four and characterized by the abundance of Rhaternum epaposum with the association of Echinops spinosissimus, Launea cassiniana & pituranthus wiradiatus.Vegetation Sia within EE-Riveth City 133 Table (2). Recorded species, thee life farms, sites of their presency, mean of their importaace values (IV). 3a= Beginning of the wadi, 36= Slope, 3ehed, Per Pereunial, Anm.= Annoal Na. | Species — Life form [1 [2 [3a [3b] 3e 4 Vv 1_| Anahasissetfera Moy [Per Dicot f+ |= | [+ P+ [=P pros 2_| Astragalus spinosus Forssk.) Mascb, Per. Divot. + [+ [+ 4.22 3_| dtractvlis carduus (Porssk,) Christens | Per. Divot | = |= | + | + | + [= 483 | atripiex teucactada Boiss Per. Dict |= |-|-|-}+]- 321 3_| armetia hispidisima (L.) DC Ann.Dico | -|-|- | - | - |¥l- 1 205 6_| Basia eriophora (Schrad) Asch, ‘Ann.Dicot [+ [| + | + 512 7_| Catotrepis procera (Ait) A.T.E. Per. Dicet. T+ 1-1 #1 204 8_| Capparis carttginea Decne Pex. Dios [+ / +/+] ~~ |= 134 | 9 | Cenchrus ctiaris Ls Per. =[-j+[- [= 0a 10_| Chenopodium album L. . [+l-1-1-1+]- 0.67 U1 | Chenepactum murate ‘Ann.Dico. [= [=| - |= [+ 053 12 | Chruzophora oblique (Vall) A. Juss. Per. Dio [= |=) +1 [+[- 231 13_| Citrus eofocyathis (L.) Sehrad Per. Dict | +|-|+]= |= 113 14_| Cleeme arabica L. Pet.Dicon + |-1- | - [+] - 1.04 15_| Cenza finjfotia (Willd )Tackh. ‘Ann.Dicot [=| - | + | - 0.68 16 | Crnadon dactvton L, Per, Monocot |= [1+ | = | 127 17! Dichanihurm annulawim (Forssk) Sia | Per, Monocot._| - | =| = [+ | = 6a IS | Diplotaxis harra Forssk Per. Dicot | - |-|- | - | + 053 19_| Bucrosia ismaelis Asch Per. bit |+|-| + [| +) -|- 2.65 20 | Echinops spinosissimmas Tarra Per. Dicol || -| - | + 3.21 21_| Eragrostis harrelier! Dav. Ann, Monoeot [= [=| = [+ [= Vik 22 | Buphoriia granulata Forssk ‘Ann.Dioo |= |=} = | +) - |= 062 23. | Euphorbia retuse Forssk Per. Dicot |-|-| = |- | +]- 053 24 | Fayonia braguieri DC Pet. Dio. _|+|+|-|~|+]-[-| nis 28 | Farsetia aegyptiaca Turn. ‘Ann. Dicot =f. [ete] 1.17 26 | Forvkatea femassicima L. Ann, Dieo. || -|-|-| + 104 27_| Francoeuria crispa (Forssk) Cass Per. Dicot. | F T=[= [=f T.I8 28 _| Frankenia pubverutenta L, Ann. Diet| +[=|- |= | - |= 105 29 | Hatoxylon ammodendron Bunge Pes.Dicot [= [=| - |= [= 2.460 30_| Hammada elegans (Bunge) Botsch, ‘Anp.Dieot |= |-|-|-|- 1+ 8.52, 31_| Heliorropium bacciferum Forssk Per. Dicot =|) = |= |= [+ 095 32_| Helietropium digynum Forssk Per. Dicot. | - | - [> |= | = | 125 33. | Heliotropium longiftorum A. DC Pes. Dicot_|-|-| = | == [+ 1.08 34 | Horwoodia diksoniae Tur. ‘Ann. Pico | -|- | ~~ = 162 35 | Lauenea cassiniana Kuntze ‘Ann. Dieot |= [=| = [= |= [+ 121 36_| Lotus halophitus Boiss et Sprun ‘Ann.Dicot. | |-|- |= |= |+ 0.63 37_| Malva parviflora L. ‘An. Di + sitet: 2.06 38 | Ochruddemus baccanas Del Per. Dicot | + = TET 683 39. | Oxatis comiculata L, Per, Dio. | - |=) = |= [* {= 0.60) 40_| Paronychia desertorum Fre, Per Divot | =|] | [— 0.24 41_| Ponnisenum divisum (Porssk) Hrenrard Per. Monaco) |= || = 212 42_| Phragmites auvtratis (Cav.) Timex Steud, | Pet. Monoeot, [+ [= [> + P+ || 334 43_| Polypogon beltardit AU ‘Ann, Monocot_ [+ [=| = | = = 3.86, 44_| Polypogon monospliensis (L.) Desh ‘Ann. Monocot [+ |= |= | = = 3 45_| Piturantiues triradiats Hochst, ‘Ann.Dicot. | - [=| - | = |= [+[ >| 2518 46 | Plantago cylindrical Forssk Per, Diet |-|-|- |=) = |+|+| 904 4T_| Prasopts spicigera L. Pet_Dicot. | = =[- R12 48_| Resecla muricata Prest Per, TST Te 5.02 49 | Rhanterium epapasun Ov Pas. Dio. | = [=| = [= | [a] [i332 50_| Rhazyu stricta Decne Per.Dicot. | + | = fe 3.36 S1_| Ridolfia segetum (L.) Moris ‘Ann. Dico. | -}-| +>] -]- 342 32 | Rumex nervosus Vahl Ana.Dieot. [>| =[-[-|+)- 3.02, 33_| Rumex vesicarius L. Aon. Dice | -|-| +) >| +]- S73134 Wagiea K Tania, Wafoa MAL.Ghanem ard Hayfag A. ET-Olevun 54_| Salsofa Banyosma (schul.) Dang Per Dict [= ]+] > [+ [> [-|- [5108 55_[ Savignya parviflora (Del.) Webb. Ann. Dicot | -)-|- | -|-|+{-| 12 '56-| Scorzonera intricate Boiss Aan.Dieot | *[-|- || -|-|-[ 312 57_| Scorphularia desert De. Per. Dieot [=| =| + == [- [ar ‘58 | Seetzinia lanata (Willd.) Bullock Per.Dicot | -[+|-|-|~-]-|-| 122 59. [ Sonchus oferaceus L Ann. Diet| +/-|- [=| -]-[-[ sia {60 | Sisymby ium tio L. ‘Ann, Dieot Se ee 61_| Spengua faltax (Lowe) Krause Ann. Dicot | ~~] - | -|-]+)-[ oss (62. | Tamarix aphytta (L.) Karst SEIESESE: itis (63. | Trichodesma africanum (L.) R.Br se (64_| Namthivon brassificum Velloza 2 Te 086 (65_| Zila spinasa (Tur, Pranth Pet Dicol. [> [*[+]=) + [*}- | iat 66. | Zygophyltun migahiii Hadid per. Dot [+1 = * 121+ [-[- 12813 The species recorded are subjected to vegetation analysis to calculate some diversity indices such as. species richness Shannon index and evenness (table 3), In general table 3 shows that the values of the diversity indices are very low. The lowest values in species richness and Shannon indices are in the sccond location (El-Nargis). These are due to the lowest number of species in that location. The first location (the beginning of El-Riyadh- El-Kharj road) has considerably high value in species richness but the other values is still low. Wadi Hanifa has gradual values which start from the beginning of the wadi and decrease gradually in the slope then the bed. In centrast to species dominance which is higher in the bed of the wadi and considerably high in the first location (El-Riyadh-El- Khar} road), In king Khalid research center, location four (partially protected area) has higher values in both species evenness and richness, in contrast to species dominance which is higher in the fifth location (completely protected area), : Lec. —t a 2opL__! 7 60 5040 SV 20 10 ( SH Fig. 2). Clustering analysis after the application of TWINSPAN,Vegetation Siuds within BE-Rivadh Cty 135 Table (3). Variations in some diversity indices in the smatied quadrats Loc. | N.Q. | species | Tindividual | Richness [ Shannon | Evenness 1 Is 3 279 25 O.864 2 17 399 267 | 248 [one 3 1s | ass 229 [236 [ow 14] 533 ait [274 | 0.901 3 1g [3x3 za [255 | 9.866 6 15 453 229 24 | 0887 7 16 455 2as | 243 | dai ® 18 542 I 262 | 0.905 9 8 354 11g [183 | 0.881 10 | 8 355 119 [1.82 | 07s U1 9 a Lad 1g {0817 2 9 ET 133) 193 | O84) 2 3 9 376 135 | 192 | 0st ws 27 oni [137 | 0882 lis F 6 209 0877152] onde 6 7 333 1.03 | L66 | 0.85) | a8 457 278 | 2.71 | 0.939 ra 453 245 | 3.61 | 0.942 3a [9 | 6 S51 238 | 2.62 | 0.948 2 18 44 28 2.67 | 0.925 2 VF 558 asa | 273 | 0.959 | 2 [2 308 92 | 246 | 0.869 2 12 365 186 [2.28 | 0917 ab [a2 433 gt | 339 | pa as [14 499 209 | 2.39 | 090s 26 [1 we [te] 2 | OB 27 | 7 20 20s | 261 | 0922 yf 12 209 206 | 229° | 0.921 xe [30 | 287 Biz [234 | 0912 30 [4 au | 24 25 OMS La [387 im | 216 | 0.902 32 [7 190 Lis | 130 | 0876 33 | 6 148 101 13 | 0356 4 ar 8 198 133 183) 0878 3s_[ i 302 1750 | 2.00 | wx34 36 |W 248 | L630 | 1.9f | 0831 a7 | 4 385/075 | a9as | 0.68 38 s 191 om | U99S | O6i8 s [39 s 142 0807 | 1190 | 0.739 403 1m vase | 0.746 | 0679 ait 2 4, oss | 0688 | 0.908 The dendodrogram obtained from the application of TWINSPAN, by calculating single linkage Euclidean distances between the quadrats, shows five clustering groups. Quadrats of the beginning of wadi Hanifa have been grouped in the first group. The second group is subdivided into two subgroups, subgroup 20 gathered the quadrats of the first location while subgroup 2b have quadrats of both the slope and the bed of wadi Hanifa. Two quadrats of the slope (3b) are preseat with subgroup 2a (1* arrow) and one aquadrat from the bed approach from shat ofthe slope (2° arrow). Tbe third arrow indicates one quadrat from the 2” location. All the partially protected sites ate gathered in the fourth group as well as those representing the completely protected one which gathered in the fifth group,136 Wataa K, Tarsa, Wafaa M Al-ihanem snd Layfad A, ZLOloyon ANOVA test has been applied in the sites of king Khalid research center to evaluate the effect of complete plant protection on the vegetation. From table (4) we can observe that the vegetation in the partially protected sites is more richer than in the completely protected especially during the autumn and winter whereas the variation becomes insignificant during the spring. Table (4). The results of the application of ANOVA test for the cightcen recorded species present in locations 4& 5 Autuma Winter 7 ring, Part.prot. | Comp.prot. | Part:prot, | Comp.prot. | Partprot. | Comp.prot. 0 5409302 0 27,82732 0 | 40.772417 Biase [2.00223 | 14s3s_| 8.913859 | 9.0899 | 20915809 7.91313 | 0.756596 | 7330885 | 3.17238 | 875K | 7.a84s739 a 0 oO | 0014286 0 12083434 0 a (665822 o- 0 320252 _[ Those | 3636 | 2242142 | 4551676 | 3600088 x 0 090763 | 10.7798, 0 0 13.32596 | 30.0886 | 20,74544 | “13.50259 o a 0 0] 0202 | 0.001299 o a 0 _| 3.980666 0 768705 0 1.08548 0 o 0 7.420238 0 | 0368572 0 0 te 1.626337 0 | 2102755 | 002228 | Wses6m | ovid9 | _o 0 0 L92b545 a 0245622, 0 oO oo 4 Lure | 0 0 3.163851 o ‘0.609881 0 4.202033 |_0.002128 0 0 0 a (|e) aT @ Variables [Autumn | Winter Spring Species no. 17 ya Frequency | 0.365541 | 0.218669 | 0.689858 Probability | —0.022524_| 0.001347 225993 Qualification | Sigoificane Insignificant Discussion The vegetation of Saudi Arabia had been deseribed since Vesey-Fitzgerald (1957), who summerised some of the broader vegetation groups. Since that time little information have becn added to our knowledge concerning the broad spectrum of the vegetation of the area until Shaltout & Mady (1993), Shaltout ef ai,(1997), Al-Homaid (1998) and Taia & El-Ghanem (2001). However, the floristic studies have received more attention (ex. Mandaville, 1990; Migahid, 1990; Chaudhary, 1999; Chaudhary & Al-Jowaid, 1999; Hassan & Al-Hemaid, 1997). In this work, sixty six species have been recorded in the studied locations throughout the whole year. Four of these species are restricted to the 1” location (Haloxylon ammodendron, Polypogon bellardii, Rhazya stricta & Sonchus oleraceus). One species is found in the 2“ Joction only ( Seeizinia /anata), whereas twenty species are recognized in wadi Hanifa only. King Khalid research center has species which are mostly different from the other locations (Table 1), Twenty seven species are recorded iu more than one location. This result can indicate the probable variation in the soi characteristics which in tun affect the type of the species and their richness. Rice (1981) mentioned that the sandy soil is more rich in speciation than the gravelly ones. This can beVegetation Study within EL Read Cy 137 one of the reasons that wadi Hanifa is more rich in species evenness than the other locations. The gradual decrease in the diversity indices from the beginning to the slope and then to the bed, can be due to the increase in the soit salinity, which increases gradually as we go down the wadi as a result of continuing washing of the soil by rain as mentioned by Shaltout ef af, (1996), This is obvious from the type of the species dominated at each location. Zygophyllum migahidti and Salsola baryosna which are dominating the 1" and 2" locations are salt tolerant species and usually inhabit the disturbed habitats ( Al- Homaid et af, 1990). Zilla spinosa which dominate the beginig of wadi Hania is @ completely xerophytic species which ean be found in all the drought soils, but this species decrease with the increase of sodium chloride concentration (Shaltout et a/.,1996), Same authors indicate the decrease of Francoueria crispa in the habitats with high concentrations of potassium ions and this can be the reason of its dominaney in the slope of the Wadi. Phragmites australis is well known that inhabits the watery habitat, and for that it is dominating the plant community of the bed of wadi Hanifa. King Khalid research center has completely different species which may he due to the partial protection of the vegetation or to soil characteristics. Comparing between locations 4 & 5, we can find that the partially protected regions are more richer in species diversity but the completely protected areas have low speciation with high numbers of individuals. This may be duc to the controlled grazing which stimulate the growing buds. The same conclusion has bec obtained by Al-Moushileh and Kawas (2001). When comparing the species recorded with those obtained from more than thirty years (El-Wailley, 1972} we can find that in the past the dominating species were ‘Astragalus spinosa, Rhazya stricta, Heliotropium sp., Francoeuria crispa, Fagonia sp. and Reseda ruricata, These species are still present but their derisity started to decrease and another species started to dominate as Zygophyllum migahidii, Saisola baryosma, Francoeuria crispa, Zilla spinosa , Phragmites australis, Hammada elegans, Rhanterium epaposum and Tamarix aphylla, These species are known to overcome the stress and usually inhabit the disturbed habitats, Finally, we have to switeh the light on how much our vegetation face high stress from the climate, soit salinity, drought , overgrazing and severe human impacts which threaten our ecosystem in general, and to push those who are interested in plant life conservation to save our species, References Al-Homaid, F.M.A. (1998): A preliminary study on the vegetation of the Rowdat Umm Hazm, Saudi Arabia. Saudi J. Biol. Sci., §(1): 3-8. Al-Homaid, N.; Khan, MH. and Sadik, M. (1990): Ecology and some desert plant communities of the eastem province in Sandi Arabia. Arid soil Res. Rehab. (4) 253-260 Al-Monushileh, A-M. and Kawas, M.M, (2001) Effect of partial protection on vegetation of Ghada Range Reserve in Unayzah, Quassim, K.S.A. Arab Gulf J. Sci. Res., 19(3): 170-173 Al-Welaie, A.N.; Chaudhary, S.A. and Al-Wetaid, Y. (1993): Vegetation of some red sea islands of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, J. Arid Environ, 24(3): 287-296. Batanouny, K.H. and Baeshin, N.A. (1982); Studics on the flora of Arabia. I- The medina-Badr road, Saudi Arabia. Bull, Fac, Sei. K.A.U., Jeddah, 6: 1-26.138 Wate K. Tania, Walaa M1 ALChanem and Uayfaa A E1-Otayan Chaudhary, S.A. (1983): Acacia and other genera of Minosoideae in Saudi Arabia, Min, Agric. Wat. Res. C., El-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Chaudhary, $.A. (1989): Grasses of Saudi Arabia. Min, Agric. Wat, Res. C., El-Riyadh, Sauudi Arabia. Chaudhary, 8.4. (1999): Flora of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Min. Agric. Wat. Res. CC, El-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Chaudhary, S.A, and AlJowaid, A.A. (1999): Vegetation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Min, Agric. Wat. Res. C., El-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, De Marco, G. and Dinelli, A. (1974): First contribution to the floristic knowledge of Saudi Arabia. Ann, Bot, (Rome} 33: 209-236. El-Demerdash, M.A.; Hegazy, A.K. and Zilay, A.M. (1995) Vegetation-soil relationships in Tihamal coastal plains of Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. J. Arid. Environ, 30: 161- 174, El-Wailley, A.J. (1972): Seasonal variation in desert flora at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Bull Trag Nat. Hist, Mus. 5(2): 10-16. Hassan, H.M. and Al-Hemaid, F.M. (1997): Road- side trees and shrubs in Saudi Arabia alongside the Abha-Taif motorway, J. King Saud Univ. 9(2): 101-118. Heemstra, H.H.; Al-Hassan, HO, and Al-Minwer, F.S. (1990): Plants of northern Saudi Arabia (an illustrated guide). Range and Animal Res. C. Sakaka, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia, M.O. (1979): DECORANA, A FORTRAN programme for detrended correspondence analysis and reciprocal averaging. Ithaca, NY, Cornell Univ, 52 P. Ludwig, J.A. and Reynolds, J.F, (1988): Statistical Ecology: 4 primer on methods and camputing, New York, John Willey & Sons. 337P. Magurran, A.E. (1988): Ecological diversity and its measurement. Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton, New Jersey, 179P. Mandaville, J.P. (1990): Flora of eastern Saudi Arabia, London: Kegan Pau! loternational Limited. 482P. Migahid, A.M. (1978, 1988, 1989, 1990 & 1996): Flora of Saudi Arabia, 2" 3" & a” eds., Riyadh Univ. Publ,, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 3 vol Migahid, A.M. and El-Sheikh, A.M. (1977): Types of desert habitats and their vegetation, in central and castern Saudi Arabia. Proc, Sani Biol. Sci., 1: 5-U1 Pielou, E.C. (1975): Ecological diversity. New York, Willey Interscience. 165P. Rice, B. (1983): Species richness in vascular vegetation of the west Head, New South Wales. Aust. Ecol. 8: 163-168. 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(1957): The vegetation of central and castern Arabia. J. Ecol, Zohary, M. (1957): A contribution to the flora of Saudi Arabia. J. Linn. Soe.(Bot,) $5: 632-643.Wosita K Tania: Wafac M, ALGhanom and Hoylaa A. ELOleyan Essel Ay pad ASL abs Aas dg pad! eLAsll Pe lala ab) aye elisk y pilklT dome ply * yl Js ely apes dy tia 6 LD ale gle US Le si deal * SUED ule ATV Ec uee oiled Lala ola. lil dy pul dus 0 ty a peal gpl oli Ata Coal Na Sante lal BB yh y SSL gl NT SE peng Sao peal dy pl HSL Gaol Aha gga ges PAN LSE BRAT SI yg tt Fags US apg SS we SL Gala oh yal) yas 6 geal Yea Lah 2 hy all week LES Fle aah SM 9 SS la Sk Sua gl Lt at dig ESI aL Gok 8 at AN Malad aly Babe Ft cite LS pe A Fda gall Sas sts Sh yin Seal) giles ily seal thie ga AOU Gila gill oe Eid SIS a Oe os ped Wyk Sl Ake aT Spe aya Gy tee Layla gl ual Ju oie Misha poly 6 EUS dail) Ailaall Gea gh a all aa ally cy a! 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