Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Alexandria, Moharram Bey, Alexandria, Egypt
ABSTRACT
The distribution of Zygophyllum album as influenced by soil factors was evaluated in different habitats in the western Mediterranean coast of Egypt. Environmental differences between different habitats have less significant consequences on the abundance of Z album than do microenvironmental variation within each.
Multiple correlations between the abudnacne of Z. album and microvariations in soil characters are higher than simple ones. The distribution of Z. album is controlled by a multitude of interacting factors. The analysis of correlation indicates than the role of individual ions especially NA+, Ca++ and C1- may be more important than that of other factors.
Along the gradients of CaCO3 and salinity, the abundance of Z. album increases at of sand gradient Z. album increases in abundance at higher values.