IMPACT OF HIKING TRAIL DISTURBANCE ON ANTS` DIVERSITY AT MOUNT SINAI, ST. KATHERINE PROTECTORATE, EGYPT
Mohamed Kamel Zakaria Kamel; KAMEL, MOHAMED;
Abstract
Saint Katherine Protectorate (SKP) is one of the most important regions
for biodiversity in Egypt. Tourism and its associated activities has become the
main economic driver in SKP which might have negative impacts on
biodiversity. Ants are effective biological indicators, since ant species
diversity correlates with the assembly of other invertebrate fauna of particular
habitats. The current study aimed at assessing the impact of some
anthropogenic activities along the touristic hiking trail passing through
Mount Sinai area on ants` diversity. A total of 583 individuals belonging to
nine ant species, three subfamilies, from (Family: Formicidae; Order:
Hymenoptera) were recorded within the study localities in Mount Sinai. Our
study showed that the hiking trail disturbance had a negative environmental
impact on the species richness and abundance of ants within the study
localities in Mount Sinai. Based on our results it is advisable to move the
hiking trails to slopes of Mount Sinai away from its current location within
the basins (farshs). More studies are needed to assess the impact of hiking
trails and associated human activities on other biodiversity elements in SKP.
for biodiversity in Egypt. Tourism and its associated activities has become the
main economic driver in SKP which might have negative impacts on
biodiversity. Ants are effective biological indicators, since ant species
diversity correlates with the assembly of other invertebrate fauna of particular
habitats. The current study aimed at assessing the impact of some
anthropogenic activities along the touristic hiking trail passing through
Mount Sinai area on ants` diversity. A total of 583 individuals belonging to
nine ant species, three subfamilies, from (Family: Formicidae; Order:
Hymenoptera) were recorded within the study localities in Mount Sinai. Our
study showed that the hiking trail disturbance had a negative environmental
impact on the species richness and abundance of ants within the study
localities in Mount Sinai. Based on our results it is advisable to move the
hiking trails to slopes of Mount Sinai away from its current location within
the basins (farshs). More studies are needed to assess the impact of hiking
trails and associated human activities on other biodiversity elements in SKP.
Other data
Title | IMPACT OF HIKING TRAIL DISTURBANCE ON ANTS` DIVERSITY AT MOUNT SINAI, ST. KATHERINE PROTECTORATE, EGYPT | Authors | Mohamed Kamel Zakaria Kamel ; KAMEL, MOHAMED | Keywords | Biodiversity;Egypt;Sinai;tourism;anthropogenic activities;ant species;St Katherine | Issue Date | 1-Mar-2019 | Journal | J. Environ. Sci. Institute of Environmental Studies and Research – Ain Shams University | Volume | 45 | Issue | 1 | Start page | 37 | End page | 56 |
Attached Files
File | Description | Size | Format | |
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JES_Volume 45_Issue 1_Pages 37-56.pdf | 607.68 kB | Unknown | View/Open |
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