Distribution of Halopeplis perfoliata (Forssk) Bunge ex Schweinf. in the Red Sea Coastal Salt Marshes: Phytosociological Relations and Responses to Soils

• Published in: Journal of coastal research 1987, Vol.3 (2), p.179-187
• Main Authors: M. N. El-Shourbagy, O. H. Al-Eidaros, H. S. Al-Zahrani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Brackish; Coastal ecology; Halophytes; Marine ecology; Nitrogen; Ordination; Salt marshes; Soil organic matter; Soil water; Wetland ecology; Winter
• ISSN: 0749-0208; 1551-5036

The distributional patterns of Halopeplis perfoliata (Forssk) Bunge ex Schweinf., one of the dominant salt marsh halophytes of littoral vegetation, has been studied with several environmental variables. The study area is located as a transitional zone between the Mediterranean and tropical coastal salt marshes. Ten sites (stands) were described, each is well defined and represents a sociologically distinct entity. Application of cluster analysis and the Wisconsin two-dimensional ordination technique led to the recognition of 4 sets of stands. The distributional pattern of H. perfoliata seems to be controlled by seasonal changes in a complex of interrelated environmental variables, such as soil moisture, pH, EC, total nitrogen, and some mineral ions. Analysis of the relationship between these variables and those of H. perfoliata showed highly significant correlations regarding k+in all seasons, which would provide evidence for its role in the adjustment mechanism of this halophyte. /// Los metodos de distribución de Halopeplis perfoliata (Forssk) Bunge ex Schweinf., uno de los halofitos dominantes de la$vegetaci\acute{o}$n litoral de las marismas saladas, ha sido estudiado con varias variables medioambientales. El$\acute{a}rea$de estudio$est\acute{a}$localizada en una zona de$transici\acute{o}n$entre las marismas saladas del$mediterr\acute{o}neo$y las costas tropicales. Se describen diez lugares (localizaciones), cada uno bien definido y representativo de entidades$sociol\acute{o}gicamente$diferentes. La$aplicaci\acute{o}n$del análisis de grupo y de la$t\acute{a}cnica$de$ordenaci\acute{o}n$bidimensional Wisconsin condujeron al reconocimiento de 4 grupos de localizaciones. El modelo de distribución de H. perfoliata parece estar controlado por cambios estacionales y variables medioambientales interrelacionadas tales como, humedad del suelo, pH, nitrógeno total y algunos iones minerales. /// Die Verteilungsmuster der Halopeplis perfoliata (Forssk) Bunge ex Schweinf., einer der vorherrschenden Salz-sumpfenpflanzen unter den Littoralpflanzen, wurden bei viele$Umweltsver\ddot(a)nderlichen$studiert. Das Forschungsgebiet ist eine$\ddot{U}bergangszone$zwischen dem Mittelmeer und tropischen$K\ddot{u}stensalzsumpfen$. Zehn Lagen wurden hier beschrieben. Jeder ist wohl umgrenzt und$repr\ddot{a}sentiert$ein soziologisches Einzelwesen. Anwendung der$H\ddot{a}ufungsanalyse$und der Wisconsin- zweidimensionalen-Ordnungsmethode$f\ddot{u}hrte$zur Erkennung von 4 Gruppen d