Eco-taxonomic Study on the Vegetation of Elsuki Area, Sinnar State – Sudan

Abstract

The study was conducted at ES suki, south-east of Sinnar State. It is located in an area between Abu Teaga (N: 12º.80404 E: 34º.22265) and Abu Oshar (N: 12º. 47048 E: 34º.26082), in 41351.3m length and 35558.9m width, and total area of 147.040.6741.57m2. The first aim of the study is to investigate the climatic, edaphic and biotic ccological factors and their role in creating the existing composition of the plant species in the study area and to to check plant associations. Also the second aim is to study the overstory and understory flora of the area taxonomically so as to contribute on the updating of the Sudan Flora, besides that detailed taxonomic account will be done for the most ecologicaly dominant and important species. The last aim is to produce a check list for all plants which are existings in the study area. The study composed of two parts: ecological study and taxonomical study. For the ecological assessement five rectangular transects representing 10% of the study area were made. Ecological parameters such plant abndance, frequency, density, diversity and biomass were measured. SPSS Program was used for data analyses. For the taxonomic study herbarium specimens were collected using the normal procedure for plant collection. Specimens collected were identified and described. In the ecological study results showed that, Commelina amplexcaulis and Sporobolus pyramidatus were highly abundant, frequent and dense and had less diversity for herbs, Acacia seyal and Acacia senegal for trees and Acacia oerfota for shrubs showed the same results in the two seasons of 2011 and 2012 respectively, while high abundance, density, frequency and low diversity was reported for families Poaceae and Acanthaceae in the two seasons There is a high significant effect for plant in transect 5, a high significant in transect 1 for litters and a high significant in transect 3 for baresoil in season 2011, while there is no significant effect in season 2012. Biomass had a high significant effect in transect 2 and 4, while there was no significant effect for other transects in season 2011 and also in season2012. 15 ecologically dominant and important plant species were investigated and detailed taxonomical studies were done, 5speceis from each catigory trees, shrubs and herbs, and finally a check list of plants species was produceed to fulfil the taxonomical part of the study.