De sista skärvorna av vegetationen som fanns innan Nildeltat torrlades

• The Nile Dalta was originally flooded during seasons of high water in the Nile but today it is drained and cultivated. The lower parts have been transformed into fish ponds. Remnants of the original vegetation can be seen at Lake Burullus near the coast. We distinguished four original vegetation zones from south to north: a) reeds dominated by Phragmites australis, b) salt marshes, c) shallow lagoon lakes and d) coastal dunes.'Tells' or 'koms' denote in the Middle East low hills containing remains of abandoned villages. The Nile Delta is dotted with tells which are protected by law. Due to the very dry climate their clayey soil is salty and salt precipitates on the surface. This solonchak soil is suitable only to salt plants, otherwise found on seashores, e.g., Halocnemum strobilaceum, Sarcocornia fruticosa, Suaeda spp. and Kali turgidum. These have been considered as weeds on the tells, but we consider them as immigrants from the saltmarshes further north. Before the Nile was regulated, there should have been an influx southwards of saltwater during periods of low river water. The salt tolerant species then migrated southwards and found suitable habitats on the tells.The original state of the delta with its seasonal variation in water level was suitable for a Neolithic population. There was plenty of hunting game, including wild boars.and resident and migrating birds. The reed was a readily available and plentiful source of fuel. Cyperus papyrus is now absent fro the delta but was once important there. it was used not only for making paper but also as food. Herodotus described the delta as a rich country with plenty of resources.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Ekologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Ecology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Biology with specialization in Ecological Botany

Biologi med inriktning mot ekologisk botanik

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