Abstract:
This study was conducted to investigate the effect of urban areas on the composition and
type of vegetation cover. Close sites were chosen in this study to overcome differences in
location, climate and topography in Al Jabal Al-Akhdar region .Study sites were selected in
the region extending from Mansura in the east to Settia in the west, taking into account that
the study sites are on the same latitude, and that there is no difference in topography and
elevation between them to ensure consistency between sites .Biodiversity indicators
(abundance - plant composition - similarity coefficient - homogeneity coefficient) were
calculated in the study sites. Twelve plant species of trees and shrubs were found in all study
sites, and Juniperus phoenicea L. and Pistacia lentiscus Pass. were the highest prevalent. The
distribution and homogeneity of plants were different from one site to another, as the
Juniperus phoenicea L. was the most homogeneous in three study sites, while Pistacia
lentiscus Pass. and the Cistus incanus L. were homogeneous, each of them in one site
separately. Average vegetation coverage, loss rates of vegetation cover, and number of plant
individuals lost per hectare were calculated for all plant species under study in the five
locations. The results have found a significant loss of plant species covering the study sites,
and the highest percentage of decline was for Juniperus phoenicea L, Pistacia lentiscus pass.
and Ceratonia siliqua L, while the Rhammus alaternus L., Saureja thymbra L., Phlomis
floccose D.Don, Cistus incanus L., Marrubium volgare L. and Sarcopoterium spinksum L.
showed a decrease, but at a lower rate.
