# Assessment taxonomy and pathways of alien plant species in Egyptian protected areas

## TL;DR

This study identifies and assesses invasive plant species in Egypt's protected areas, highlighting their spread and impact on ecosystems.

## Contribution

The study provides a comprehensive inventory and analysis of alien plant species in Egyptian protected areas, including their pathways and control.

## Key findings

- Lake Burullus has the highest number of alien species (27), while some areas like Nabq have none.
- Three invasive species threaten ecosystems in Ashtum El-Gamil, Wadi El-Rayan, and Lake Burullus Qaroun.
- Ziziphus spina-christi is beneficial in seven protected areas for sand control and has medicinal and grazing uses.

## Abstract

Invasive species are a real threat to biodiversity worldwide, and Egypt is no exception for that threat. In Egypt, there is thirty protected areas, representing most of the ecological important areas in Egypt, is declared and managed by the Nature Conservation Sector Agency, Egypt, with an approximate area of 142,664 km2 (representing 14.3 % of Egypt’s country area). Until 2012, the declared protectorates include the following four groups: 7 marines, 7 wetlands, 10 deserts and 6 geological protectorates. The goals of the present study were: 1) creating an inventory of alien species in the Egyptian protected areas, 2) assessing the protection effect on the spread of invasive species in different protected areas, and 3) assessing the pathway of alien species into the protected areas and how to control them. This study was conducted by reviewing current and available literature, field trips, and herbaria consultation. Our results indicated that Lake Burullus has the highest number of alien species (27= 13.7%), while Abu-Galum has the lowest (2= 1.2%). On the other hand, some protected areas (e.g. Nabq, Wadi Degla, White Desert, El-Gilf El-Kebir) have no alien species. This indicates that some protected areas are experiencing high levels of protection, and their locations are less affected by human activities. Three non-native invasive species (Azolla filiculoides, Bassia indica, and Eichhornia crassipes) are threating the ecosystem of Ashtum El-Gamil, Wadi El-Rayan and Lake Burullus Qaroun. On the other hand, however, Ziziphus spina-christi was recorded in seven protected areas as sand controllers and has medicinal and grazing benefits. Among the three different categories of the alien species, the naturalized species group has the highes According to the national strategy for biodiversity in Egypt – For a sustainable Future 2030 (CBD 2020) this study provides a comprehensive assessment of alien species dynamics in the ecosystem of Egyptian protected area.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-24266-3.