Yara Mahmoud*⁽¹⁾ , Wael Ali⁽¹⁾ and Bassima Al-shiak⁽¹⁾

(1). Ecology and Forestry Department, Faculty of Agriculture Engineering, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Yara Mahmoud.  E.Mail: yara.talalmahmoud@gmail.com)

Recevied:7/11/2023                                     Accepted:29/01/2024

Abstract: 

This study was carried out at the site of Al-Munaizilah –Jableh –Syria in 2022. The aim of this study was to estimate the biodiversity (taxonomy-based) in fragmented forest patches within the landscape and makes some promising suggestions to preserve this diversity. We have selected 3 forest patches, within we identify 12 samples with a dimension of 20*20m. in addition, we have used the Braun-Blanquet method to perform botanical surveys. We have recorded 107 plant species which belong to 91 genera and 45 plant families. The Fabaceae family was predominant, represented by 16 species, followed by Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Lamiaceae  represented by 10 species each. And the Orchidaceae species with a good presence of 5 species. Our results show that the values of biodiversity Index (species richness and Shannon index) varied between the patches. The first patch excelled significantly with average values of (37.6 -3.03) respectively. Moreover, this patch shows to be  the largest in terms of area and shape index closest to the circular. The values of the coefficient of similarity also indicate that the composition of per-fragmentation species is still relatively preserved , which means that these patches still retain an important number of forest species including Viola odorata, Primula vulgaris, Paeonia sp, Bellis sylvistris, and 5 species of Orchidaceae. Our study we confirm that the species in the three patches are sensitive to the disturbance to varying degrees, and requires the preservation of all  patches in order for these species to continue. We recommend further studies on forest habitat fragmentation and its impact on biodiversity, in addition, the impact of fragmentation on species rather than communities.

Keywords: Biodiversity, plant diversity, Habitat fragmentation, forest patches, Landscape.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF