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Mangroves
are among the world’s most endangered habitats.
They are vital and productive ecosystems and exert
an influence that goes far beyond the often-limited
areas in which they grow.
All mangroves in Egypt are now protected and two main
nurseries, one at Nabq the other in Safaga, have been
established to propagate them.
The most northerly stand of White Mangroves in the
Red Sea is found about 26km north of Hurghada at El
Gouna (Myos Hormos). They are also found on Abu Minqar
island off Hurghada, Safaga Island and in several
localities between Quseir and Mersa Alam and Hamata.
Mangrove stands become more frequent and extensive,
with larger trees the further south they are. Between
Bir Shalatin and Halayib uninterrupted mangrove forests
extend for several kilometers along the coastline.
South of latitude 23o N the Black Mangrove begins
to appear but never as commonly as the White Mangrove.
There is much to be learned about the biodiversity
of mangrove forests and the interactions between the
diverse elements of that biodiversity. It is to be
planned that, for the sake of the environment and
for understanding of the complex web of life of which
the mangroves are a central part, they will be thriving
on Egypt's coasts for a long time to come. |
| Mangroves |
Red Mangroves,
Rhizophora mucronata, south of Shalatin |
Grey
Mangroves , Avicennia marina, at Qalaan bay,
Wadi El Gemal National Park |
There
are about 45 islands in the Egyptian Red Sea, of which
22 are protected by Law 102. There is an archipelago
of 13 islands at the mouth of the Gulf of Suez; among
other islands, Tiran and Sanafir Islands are located.
at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba. South of Hurghada
are Safaga, Wadi el Gimal and the Hamata group of
islands. The off-shore islands of Zabargad (St. John's
Island) and the Al Akhawain (Brothers islands) are
located off Ras Banas and Quseir respectively. Vegetation
on these islands is generally confined to mangroves
and some salt-loving plants. The Red Sea islands are
of global importants for many threatned bird species,
Sixteen birds breed on the islands including Brown
Booby, Sula leucogaster, Spoonbill, Platalea
leucorodia, Osprey, Pandion haliaetus,
and White-eyed Gull, Larus leucophthalmus
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| Islands |
Seyal Island
bordered by rich coral reefs, Wadi El Gemal National
Park |
Brideled
turns, Sterna anaethetus collony at Seyal
Island, Wadi El Gemal National Park |
Giftun
Island across from the coastel city of Hurghada |
Makawi
Island off Ras Banas |
Turtle
nesting site at Zabargad Island |
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