Endemics and endangered species in the biodiversity hotspot of the Shada Mountains, Saudi Arabia
Jacob THOMAS1*, Mohamed A EL-SHEIKH1,2, Abdulrehman A ALATAR1
1 Department of Botany & Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; 2 Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Damanhour University, Damanhour 22516, Egypt
Abstract Shada Mountains in Saudi Arabia, separated by Maleel Wadi into twin mountains (i.e., Shada
Alalah and Shada Asfal), are rich in biodiversity. We investigated the diversity of endemics and endangered
species of the mountains based on the data collected from 38 stands falling in 8 elevational zones ranging
from 500 to 2215 m a.s.l. Results indicated that 495 plant species falling in 314 genera and 76 families
occurred in the Shada Mountains, including 19 endemic species and 43 endangered species, and
accounting for 22% of the total flora in Saudi Arabia. Canonical correlation analysis indicated that
physiographic features, particularly altitude play an important role in the frequency and abundance of
species. Endemics were not evenly distributed in the Shada Mountains and mostly restricted in the
elevation zone of 1000–1500 or >1500 m a.s.l. When the altitude reached up to 2000 m a.s.l., the
endemics decreased substantially due to the significantly low temperature. The endangered species existed
three different distribution patterns: (i) most endangered species distributed in the altitudes of 1000–1800
m a.s.l.; (ii) endangered trees, lianas, and shrubs occupied the altitudes 1000–1300 m a.s.l.; and (iii)
endangered subshrubs and herbs inhabited the altitudes 1500–2100 m a.s.l. The results demonstrated that
the biodiversity of endangered species in the Shada Mountains is high and undisturbed by invasive species,
and protective measures should be taken against human disturbances to the small-scale hotspot.
The authors would like to express their sincere appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud
University for funding this research (RG-1437-002).
Corresponding Authors: Jacob THOMAS
E-mail: jathomas@ksu.edu.sa
Cite this article:
Jacob THOMAS,Mohamed A EL-SHEIKH,Abdulrehman A ALATAR1. Endemics and endangered species in the biodiversity hotspot of the Shada Mountains, Saudi Arabia[J]. Journal of Arid Land, 2017, 9(1): 109-121.
2017, Vol. 9 
