Potentialities of Bagbag area, Northwestern Mediterranean coast of Egypt, as a Natural Range (original) (raw)

The vegetation of Bagbag area formed of eight plant community dominated and co-dominated by: Asphodelus ramosus, Thymelaea hirsuta, Deverra tortuosa, Stipa capensis, Lygeum spartum, Plantago albicans, Haloxylon scoparium and H. scoparium - T. hirsuta. Seventeen associated palatable species were recorded in these communities: eleven perennials and six annuals. Asphodelus ramousus community comprises the highest number of palatable species. Six palatable perennial species distributed in Bagbag area were selected to evaluate their potentiality for development this area. These species are: Gymnocarpos decander, Helianthemum lippii, Echiochilon fruiticosumm, Deverra tortousa, Periploca angustifolia and Lycium shawii. Deverra tortuosa has a high average of density and importance value (7.0 and 32.3, respectively) comparing with the other palatable studied species, while P. angustifolia had the lowest average values of density and importance value (0.2 and 2.9). The highest percentage of crude protein (CP), TDN and DCP had been determined in the grazeable parts of P. angustifolia followed by L. shawii. Most of the palatable species had low values of IV and density being dwarf due to heavy grazing. Though the pasture condition of the study area is generally high, the vegetation potential is promising. There are chances of improvement and development of the study area.