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Correspondence to Author: Abdelraouf A. Moustafa^*1, Menna Khalaf¹, YasminS. Khalil¹, Roba A. Elganainy¹, Ganna H. Goher¹,Mohamed S. Zaghloul¹, Samira R. Mansour¹.  

¹ Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.

DOI: 10.52338/joes.2025.4327

Abstract:

Over the past two decades, wild vegetation in the Egyptian desert has faced significant threats, including the loss of palatable species, a decline in tree populations, and shifts in vegetation composition. The main drivers of these changes include deforestation for fuelwood, overharvesting of medicinal plants, large-scale development projects, and overgrazing. Addressing these threats requires immediate implementation of sustainable development and conservation policies to safeguard critical biodiversity components. Acacia trees, vital to the Bedouin communities for their multiple uses, are particularly at risk due to pressures such as illegal logging, overgrazing, seed infestation by insects and fungi, and encroaching construction. This study examines the demographic status of Acacia populations across three key regions in South Sinai: Wadi Mandar, Wadi Lithi, and Wadi Feiran. A total of 615 trees were surveyed, with 202 trees at Wadi Mandar, 281 at Wadi Lithi, and 132 at Wadi Feiran. Additionally, 38 cuttings from dead Acacia trunks were collected across these sites. Tree age was determined by counting the annual growth rings, and the relationship between tree diameter and growth rings was analyzed through linear regression. This research highlights the importance of understanding the age structure of Acacia populations, which provides insights into their demographic status and resilience to environmental stressors. By identifying older, more mature trees, conservation efforts can prioritize the protection of genetically diverse, reproductively mature trees, which are crucial for the long-term survival of the species. Furthermore, factors such as climate variability, soil conditions, and human intervention especially land-use changes and overharvesting were considered in the analysis to assess their impact on Acacia tree health and distribution. These findings aim to inform conservation strategies within the St. Catherine Protectorate and, ultimately, across the South Sinai Protectorates.

Citation:

A. Abdelraouf Moustafa, The Age Structure Of Acacia: Insights Into Conservation Strategies In Arid Landscapes, South Sinai, Egypt. Journal of Environmental And Sciences 2025.