Dr. Abd El-nasser Saied Al Borki

ABSTRACT The hysteranthous geophyte Drimia maritima (L.) Stearn is a medicinal plant of ecological significance. This species inhabits open gaps within the southern Mediterranean mountain range of the Al‐Akhdar region in northwestern Libya. We combined demographic and functional trait measurements with structural equation modelling to compare D. maritima populations between wadi and mountain slope habitats. Spatial point pattern analysis was used to examine within‐population spatial distribution, clonal reproduction and interspecific interactions. Our results revealed that variation in bulb size (storage) was associated with distinct life strategies and spatial distributions in both habitats. In the wadi site, individuals prioritized shoot growth and reproduction over bulb storage. In contrast, individuals on the mountain slope prioritized bulb storage over shoot growth and reproductive output. Clonal reproduction in the slope population compensated for lower reproductive output and resulted in a clumped spatial pattern. Conversely, the absence of clonal growth in the wadi population was offset by higher reproductive output, leading to a random spatial distribution. These divergent functional strategies between wadi and slope populations provide key evidence for ongoing niche divergence in D. maritima . We propose that bulb size acts as a mediator of environmental stress, modulating the species' response towards either a conservative or a synergistic strategy. Our findings improve our ability to predict plant species responses to future climate change scenarios, particularly in terms of functional strategies and spatial distribution.

اجريت الدراسة على 24 موقع بمنطقة الجبل الاخضر، خلال فصلى الربيع والصيف 2024-2025م، تبعا للارتفاعات عن مستوى سطح البحر والتضاريس، تم تسجيل 267 نوعا ضمن 131 جنسا تمثل ذوات الفلقة الواحدة 82 نوع (31%) وذوات الفلقتين 185نوع (69%) ونباتات الحولية بعدد 189 نوع ونباتات المستديمة بعدد 78 نوع واكثر الاجناس عددا ممثلا للعائلة المركبة جنس crepis (6.06%) ثم العائلة البقولية جنس Trifolium (15.11%) والعائلة النجيلية جنس Bromus (8.53%). اظهر النتائج ان انماط اشكال الحياة للنباتات الحولية (68.47%) أكثر تواجدا للعوائل النباتية المدروسة و نصف المخفيىة (%18.35) و نباتات الارضية (5.24%)، ان النباتات الحولية للعائلة البقولية والنجيلية و المركبة بنسب 77%,73% و 64% على التوالي. وإنها تكيفت مع ظروف المناخية وجميع المواطن ويرجع ذلك الى استرايجياتها فى مواجهة فترات الجفاف. وبينت الدراسة ان تحليل التوزيع الجغرافى للنباتات ان نمط احادى المنطقة أكثر انتشارا بعدد152 نوع (65%) ممثلا بنمط البحر المتوسط 127 نوع و نمط الصحارى العربية 8 أنواع، النمط ثنائى المنطقة بعدد 78 نوع (29%) ممثل فى نمط البحر المتوسط – ايران تورانى، وان نمط البحر المتوسط اكثر انتشارا بين الانواع حيث يلعب المناخ دورا كبيرا فى توزيع النباتات. وان انواع العوائل الثلاثة لها اهمية كبرى فى تنوع الغطاء النباتى بمنطقة الجبل الاخضر والتى يجب المحافظة على بيئتها من اجل صونها واستدامة نظام البيئي.

تم إجراء الدراسة في منطقة الجبل الأخضر الواقعة في شمال شرق ليبيا، خلال فصلي الربيع لعامي 2024 و2025. تم اختيار أحد عشر موقعًا، شملت 6 مواقع على السفح الشمالي و5 مواقع على السفح الجنوبي، مع اختلافات في تدرج الارتفاع. تم حصر 569 نوعًا نباتيًا، تنتمي إلى 325 جنسًا و80 عائلة. تم إجراء مقارنة بين التركيب النباتي وأشكال الحياة عبر سفوح الجبل، وأظهرت النتائج أن العائلات الاعلى عدد في الأنواع كانت على النحو التالي: عائلة المركبة 74 نوع تليها المركبة 49 نوع ثم النجيلية 48 نوع، عائلة الخيمية 44 نوع ثم عائلة الشفوية 27 نوع نباتي. بناءً على فترة حياتها النباتات، سجل 268 نوعًا معمرا (47.01%) والحوليات 301 نوعًا (52.99%) ومنها تواجد النباتات الارضية التي تنتمي اليها 79 نوعًا (13.88%) والتي تكون مدفونة تحت سطح التربة في الصيف. أظهرت نتائج تحليل أشكال الحياة للنباتات المدروسة وفق تصنيف رونكيير أن النباتات الحولية هي الأكثر سائدة بعدد 298 نوعًا (52.74%)، تليها النباتات نصف المخفية 108 نوعا (18.98%)، والنباتات القزمة 36 نوعًا (7.44%)، والنباتات الظاهرة 46 نوعًا (8.08%)، والنباتات الطفيلية المزهرة نوعان (0.33%). السفح الشمالي أكثر تنوعًا من السفح الجنوبي بسبب التضاريس والمناخ، وكما تلعب الظروف البيئية دورًا رئيسيًا في تفاوت التركيب الفلوري وتنوع أشكال الحياة. من الضروري المحافظة على هذا التنوع وضمان استدامة الغطاء النباتي من خلال استراتيجية واضحة.

The Floristic Analysis, life forms and chorology were conduct in Benghazi plain regions: Daryanah, Tansulukh, Al-Mabni, Brace and Tokra. The recorded of 138 species (64.49% annuals and 35.50% perennials) belonging to 32 families. In addition, results showed the absolute dominance of therophytes (66.68%), as well as the total chorological analysis of the served flora presented revealed that 82 species 65% of the total recorded species are mono-regional in being native to Mediterranean chorotype (77 species). The results were based on the fact that the Tokra area is more diverse because of its proximity to the Green Mountain, of the depth of its soil and the abundance of rainfall, and that drought and human activities such as agricultural expansion and urban sprawl negatively affect the vegetation, so the vegetation must be preserved through the establishment of reserves and the restoration of environmental balance.

This study was conducted in the Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar area in northeastern Libya during the spring of the years 2022, 2023 2024. It aims to analyze the life forms and biological spectrum of the flora in the Green Mountain. Twenty-one sites were selected to represent different topographies with a gradient in elevation above sea level. A total of 833 plant species belonging to 422 genera and 86 plant families were recorded. The results showed that the most dominant family is the Asteraceae 99 species (11.88%), followed by the Fabaceae 86 species (10.32%), then the Poaceae 81 species (9.72%), and the Apiaceae 52 species (6.24%). These proportions correspond to those of the Libyan flora, with 476 annual species (56.42%) and 357 perennial species (42.86%), which are close due to the presence of geophytes belonging 99 (27.33%) to the perennials that are buried beneath the soil surface in summer. The results of the analysis of life forms of the studied plants according to Raunkiaer's classification showed that Therophytes are the most dominant 476 species (56.42%), followed by hemicryptophytes 145 species (17.64%), Geophytes 99 species (11.88%), Chamaerphytes 60 species (7.44%), phanerophytes 45 species (5.64%), and flowering parasitic plants 8 species (0.96%). The ratios of the biological spectrum were similar to the Largest families attributed to their high adaptability to environmental conditions, while climate and topography play a role in patterns life forms in flowering plants.

تمثل النباتات الارضية أحد المكونات المهمة للغطاء النباتى فى اقليم البحر المتوسط وذاك بسبب تكيفها البيئى وامتلاكها اعضاء تخزين ارضية تساعدها على البقاء خلال الظروف البيئية غير الملائمة. وتهدف وهذه الدراسة الى تحليل التركيب الفلورى وانماط اشكال الحياة واصول الجغرافية النباتية اضافة الى مواعيد التزهير وألوان الازهار لنباتات الارضية فى منطقة الجبل الاخضر شمال شرق ليبيا. اجريت الدراسة الميدانية فى عدة مواقع تمقل مستويات مختلفة لدراسة تنوع الانواع وتوزيعها البيئى. حصرت النتائج عن تسجيل 69 نوعا نباتيا ضمن 12 عائلة وتمثلت النباتات الارضية فى عدة اشكال من الاعضاء الارضية مثل الابصال، الريزومات، الدرنات والكرومات. كما اظهرت النتائج ان مستوى الارتفاع المتوسط (301-600م) يتميز باعلى تنوع فى الانواع مقارنة بالمستويين المنخفض (0-300م) والمرتفع (601-800م). اوضحت دراسة اصول الجغرافية النباتية سيادة العناصر المتوسطية فى الفلورا. كما بينت نتائج مواعيد التزهير ان معظم الانواع تزهر خلال فصلى شتاء والربيع وبينما تنوعت ألوان الازهار بين الابيض والاصفر والوردى والبنفسجى ومن بين الانواع المسجلة برز النوع العنصل الفرعونى كاحد أكثر النباتات الارضية انتشارا فى عدة مواطن ضمن الدراسة. تؤكد هذه النتائج الأهمية البيئية وتنوع النباتات الارضية في الجبل الأخضر، كما توفر معلومات أساسية للدراسات النباتية والبيئية المستقبلية في المنطقة.

ABSTRACT Phlomis floccosa D. Don populations are distributed in different microhabitats within Al‐Akhdar mountainous landscape, in Libya. Five populations were selected for the study. Spatial relationships among individuals were investigated using the spatial point pattern analysis. Functional traits were recorded at the vegetative, flowering and fruiting stages. Seeds were collected at the dispersal stage to estimate the regeneration potential. Greater degree of aggregation was found at higher elevations on both northern and southern sides of the mountain but with different demography and traits. On the northern side, greater degree of aggregation was accompanied by absence of large adults and greater percentage of seedlings, and it was positively associated with the reproductive output, while negatively associated with the size and regeneration indices. On the southern side, greater degree of aggregation was accompanied by greater contribution of large adults and greater percentage of seedlings, and it was positively associated with the size and regeneration indices, while negatively associated with the reproductive output. On the other hand, the population in the wadi (valley) microhabitat showed coarse‐scale clumped pattern, higher values for most of the functional traits and higher contribution of seedlings but with lower facilitation offered by adults. The variations in the degree of aggregation and the functional traits trade‐offs in P. floccosa populations ensured successful survival and regeneration in the heterogeneous microhabitats. Meanwhile, stressed conditions greatly affect the survival and regeneration of the species suggesting the need for conservation measures to overcome the adverse effects of climate change.

ABSTRACT Phlomis floccosa D. Don populations are distributed in different microhabitats within Al‐Akhdar mountainous landscape, in Libya. Five populations were selected for the study. Spatial relationships among individuals were investigated using the spatial point pattern analysis. Functional traits were recorded at the vegetative, flowering and fruiting stages. Seeds were collected at the dispersal stage to estimate the regeneration potential. Greater degree of aggregation was found at higher elevations on both northern and southern sides of the mountain but with different demography and traits. On the northern side, greater degree of aggregation was accompanied by absence of large adults and greater percentage of seedlings, and it was positively associated with the reproductive output, while negatively associated with the size and regeneration indices. On the southern side, greater degree of aggregation was accompanied by greater contribution of large adults and greater percentage of seedlings, and it was positively associated with the size and regeneration indices, while negatively associated with the reproductive output. On the other hand, the population in the wadi (valley) microhabitat showed coarse‐scale clumped pattern, higher values for most of the functional traits and higher contribution of seedlings but with lower facilitation offered by adults. The variations in the degree of aggregation and the functional traits trade‐offs in P. floccosa populations ensured successful survival and regeneration in the heterogeneous microhabitats. Meanwhile, stressed conditions greatly affect the survival and regeneration of the species suggesting the need for conservation measures to overcome the adverse effects of climate change.

Abstract Thapsia garganica is a herbaceous perennial in the Apiaceae, distributed around the Mediterranean and traditionally used in North Africa as a remedy for arthritis, herpes, hair‐fall, hypertension, rheumatic, eczema and scabies. T. garganica is the source of thapsigargin: known for killing cancer cells. Seven populations were studied in sites differing in aspect and elevation within Al Jebel Al Akhdar in Libya. We studied the within‐population size distribution of individuals, the timing of the phenological events, and vegetative and reproductive traits.Thapsia garganica showed high flexibility of functional traits and shifts in the timing of phenological events in response to elevation and aspect (north‐ or south‐facing slopes). Local soil properties, together with effects due to altitude and aspect, could be direct causes of the observed differences in terms of population size and phenological traits. The phenological patterns detected also provide insights into the species response to climate change. Despite this phenotypic flexibility, and good growth in sites at 300–700 m a. s. l. on south‐facing slopes, most sites in this study have an unstable size‐structure, with few small individuals. This raises concerns about the long‐term persistence of the other populations of this species in Al Jebel Al Akhdar.

Abstract Thapsia garganica is a herbaceous perennial in the Apiaceae, distributed around the Mediterranean and traditionally used in North Africa as a remedy for arthritis, herpes, hair‐fall, hypertension, rheumatic, eczema and scabies. T. garganica is the source of thapsigargin: known for killing cancer cells. Seven populations were studied in sites differing in aspect and elevation within Al Jebel Al Akhdar in Libya. We studied the within‐population size distribution of individuals, the timing of the phenological events, and vegetative and reproductive traits. Thapsia garganica showed high flexibility of functional traits and shifts in the timing of phenological events in response to elevation and aspect (north‐ or south‐facing slopes). Local soil properties, together with effects due to altitude and aspect, could be direct causes of the observed differences in terms of population size and phenological traits. The phenological patterns detected also provide insights into the species response to climate change. Despite this phenotypic flexibility, and good growth in sites at 300–700 m a. s. l. on south‐facing slopes, most sites in this study have an unstable size‐structure, with few small individuals. This raises concerns about the long‐term persistence of the other populations of this species in Al Jebel Al Akhdar.

The Phoenician juniper (Juniperus phoenicea L.) has long been common in the Al-Akhdar mountain range in NE Libya. Juniper trees in the region are showing signs of dieback, and minimal successful seedling recruitment has occurred. We investigate this effect at the level of individual trees, tree size classes, and populations. At ten sites, population size, growth and reproductive traits, and percentage dieback in different size classes were evaluated. Elevation, distance from the sea, and the interaction between these factors had a significant effect on tree volume, and number of branches, number of female cones per branch and number of female cones per tree. Two groups of populations were recognized: the first (Sites 2, 3, and 4) were near the coast. They appeared to be more recently established, with no individuals in the largest size class, and, at this point, less severe dieback. In contrast, in the rest of the sites there were no individuals (Sites 1, 5, 6, and 9) or very few individuals (Sites 7, 8, and 10) in the smallest size class, indicating widespread failure of recruitment in recent years. Mature female cones containing seeds were abundant at these sites (except for Site 8); therefore, this was not attributable to failure of sexual reproduction, but rather was associated with higher levels of intra- and inter-specific competition, combined with more variable rainfall in recent years. Smaller trees are particularly susceptible to dieback throughout the region. Conservation initiatives should include restrictions on clearing these natural forests for conversion to agriculture and, where harvesting is necessary, preferential harvesting of larger individuals.

The Phoenician juniper (Juniperus phoenicea L.) has long been common in the Al-Akhdar mountain range in NE Libya. Juniper trees in the region are showing signs of dieback, and minimal successful seedling recruitment has occurred. We investigate this effect at the level of individual trees, tree size classes, and populations. At ten sites, population size, growth and reproductive traits, and percentage dieback in different size classes were evaluated. Elevation, distance from the sea, and the interaction between these factors had a significant effect on tree volume, and number of branches, number of female cones per branch and number of female cones per tree. Two groups of populations were recognized: the first (Sites 2, 3, and 4) were near the coast. They appeared to be more recently established, with no individuals in the largest size class, and, at this point, less severe dieback. In contrast, in the rest of the sites there were no individuals (Sites 1, 5, 6, and 9) or very few individuals (Sites 7, 8, and 10) in the smallest size class, indicating widespread failure of recruitment in recent years. Mature female cones containing seeds were abundant at these sites (except for Site 8); therefore, this was not attributable to failure of sexual reproduction, but rather was associated with higher levels of intra- and inter-specific competition, combined with more variable rainfall in recent years. Smaller trees are particularly susceptible to dieback throughout the region. Conservation initiatives should include restrictions on clearing these natural forests for conversion to agriculture and, where harvesting is necessary, preferential harvesting of larger individuals.

Artemisia judaica L. (Shih Balady, family Asteraceae), is a medicinal plant that grows in the desert, commonly used as tea by population in Egypt Sinai and of Saudi Arabia. The present study aims to evaluate antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of aerial parts of A. judaica collected from the inland desert (Wadi Hagoul) of Egypt. Total phenolics, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins were measured in the plant of interest. According to the reduction of DPPH the anti-oxidant activity was measured. Different extracts of A. judaica were screened for their antimicrobial activity against nine pathogenic microorganisms using filter paper disc assay. The secondary metabolites of A. judaica were examined and proved that it was rich in tannins and phenolics (13.29 and 7.62 mg/g dw). The IC50 values of A. judaica extract was 1.78 mg.ml-1 compared to standard catechol (0.15 mg.ml-1). In the present study, the extracts of A. judaica showed unusual activity depending on the type of bacteria and fungi. Also, ethyl acetate and methyl alcohol extracts showed considerable broad spectrum (77.78%, each) against both bacteria and fungi, followed by acetone, then methylene chloride and petroleum ether extracts. This study showed that A. judaica extracts could be used as antimicrobial substances in pharmaceutical and food preservation systems.

Artemisia judaica L. (Shih Balady, family Asteraceae), is a medicinal plant that grows in the desert, commonly used as tea by population in Egypt Sinai and of Saudi Arabia. The present study aims to evaluate antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of aerial parts of A. judaica collected from the inland desert (Wadi Hagoul) of Egypt. Total phenolics, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins were measured in the plant of interest. According to the reduction of DPPH the anti-oxidant activity was measured. Different extracts of A. judaica were screened for their antimicrobial activity against nine pathogenic microorganisms using filter paper disc assay. The secondary metabolites of A. judaica were examined and proved that it was rich in tannins and phenolics (13.29 and 7.62 mg/g dw). The IC50 values of A. judaica extract was 1.78 mg.ml-1 compared to standard catechol (0.15 mg.ml-1). In the present study, the extracts of A. judaica showed unusual activity depending on the type of bacteria and fungi. Also, ethyl acetate and methyl alcohol extracts showed considerable broad spectrum (77.78%, each) against both bacteria and fungi, followed by acetone, then methylene chloride and petroleum ether extracts. This study showed that A. judaica extracts could be used as antimicrobial substances in pharmaceutical and food preservation systems.