Study of the vegetation cover in the Hattiya Ajkhara area – Libya

Abstract

This research represents the first comprehensive botanical survey carried out in the Hatiya Ijkhara region, an area that has experienced increasing human pressure, particularly through intensive grazing. The study area lies roughly 50 km northeast of the Ijkhara Oasis and is characterized by an extremely arid environment that restricts natural vegetation growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the status of vegetation cover and document the plant species present, thereby providing a baseline database that may support future conservation efforts.

The findings revealed the presence of only five plant species, each belonging to a different genus and family. Much of the area was either completely bare or supported only sparse, widely scattered vegetation, reflecting the harsh ecological conditions of the region. The most abundant species recorded was Zygophyllum gaetulum, which accounted for approximately 51% of the total individuals. This was followed by Cladium mariscus (21%), Tamarix chinensis (16%), and Nitraria retusa (10%). The least represented species was Traganum nudatum, whose occurrence did not exceed 2% of all recorded plants.