VEGETATION AND LANDFORMS OF THE SAINT-CATHERINE AREA, SOUTHERN SINAI,EGYPT

Floristically, the Sinai peninsula is represented by four main phytoge ographical chorotypes: Saharo-Arabian, Irano-Turanian, Sudanian, and M editerranean. The Saint Catherine area, in the southern Sinai, is char acterized by a unique vegetation due to its geomorphological formation s and altitudinal climatic variations. The origin of the vegetation is primarily Irano-Turanian, dominated by Seriphidium herba-alba and acc ompanied by Atraphaxis spinosa, Agatophora alopecuroides and Gymnocarp os decandrum at high elevations (Gebel Catherina, 2641 m). Lower eleva tions (1500-1700 m) are dominated by Seriphidium herba-alba, Zilla spi nosa and Fagonia mollis on stony alluvium and cobble deposits. The veg etation is relatively diverse in sub-shrubs and trees, with few annual s. Vegetation is sparse and characterized by a variety of chasmophytic and endemic species. Six landforms are distinguished in the area: gor ges, slopes, terraces, ridges, wadis, and plains. Narrow wadis and gor ges are relatively floristically rich and are dominated by phanerophyt es (Crataegus sinaica, Ficus pseudosycomorus and Lycium shawii) and ch amaephytes (Phlomis aurea, Conyza stricta, Plantago sinaica, and Teucr ium polium). The character of the soil surface, altitudinal gradients, and landform types provide microhabitats dominated by characteristic vegetation. (C) 1995 Academic Press Limited