3.3 Living resources

Flora

The coastal lagoons flora is dependent on water salinity characteristics. Southern parts of delta lagoons that have low salinities are characterized by the presence of freshwater aquatic weeds and vascular plant species. Flora recorded in Burullus Wetland were shown to be 197 species belonging to 44 families and 139 genera (Shaltout and Khalil, 2005).

Twelve of these species are floated and submerged hydrophytes contributing about 6 percent of the total species. Woody plants contribute to about 17.3 percent of the total species. delta lagoons (Burullus, Manzala and Edku) are considered rich in phytoplankton communities, both in density and richness. Recorded species indicate the presence of many algal species such as Bacillariophyta (diatoms), Chlorophyta and Cyanophyta. The delta lagoons ecosystem is considered mesotrophic with eutrophic tendencies, due to the increased density of submerged hydrophytes, mainly Potamogeton pectinatus (it constitutes 85 percent of submerged plants). Water hyacinth is widely distributed on the water surface of these lakes. On the other hand, in
the Bardawil lagoon that is characterized by high water salinity, diatoms are dominant and were represented by 159 species, followed by dinoflagellates with 53 species (Shaltout, 2010). About 54 species were recorded recently and considered as alien species. Epiphytic algal species comprise 121 species belonging to 42 genera. Diatoms were the most important group. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List categories, six threatened species are recorded in Bardawil; four of which are categorized as endangered species (Astragalus camelorum, Bellevalia salah-eidii, Biarum olivieri and Salsola tetragona). One species is indeterminate (Lobularia arabica), while another one is rare (Iris mariae).

Aquatic fauna

The zooplankton community in delta lagoons is represented by various species belonging mainly to 3 groups (Rotifera, Copepoda and Cladocera). Rotifera is the most abundant group in all seasons and areas of these lakes (66–77 percent of the total zooplankton density in 2004), whereas it constituted only 17 percent of the density in 1978. Macrobenthos were represented by three groups with complete vanishing of marine species (Dumont and El-Shabrawy, 2008). Commercial fish species are mullets, tilapias, catfish, Bagrus bajad, Dicentrarchus labrax, Anguilla anguilla and penaeid shrimps. In the Bardawil lagoon, the zooplankton community is represented mainly by the holoplankton groups (Protozoa, Copepoda, Cladocera, Coelentrata, Chaetognatha and Rotifera). Copepod was the most abundant group (69 percent of total zooplankton community). The dominant species in 1985 (Tintinnopsis labiancoi and Acartia clausii) were replaced in 2003 by T. tocantinensis and Oithona nana. Meiobenthic and Macrobenthic communities comprise Foraminifera, Ostracoda, Copepod, Coelentrata, Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca and Echinodermata. Standing crop of total benthos decreased considerably during the last 20 years. Commercial fish species are Sparus aurata, Dicentrarchus labrax, Solea solea, Argyrosomus regius, Umbrina cirrosa, Epinephelus aeneus and mullets. Shrimp species include Metapenaeus stebbingi, Penaeus japonicus and P. semisulcatus and crab, Portunus pelagicus.

Wildlife

Egyptian coastal lagoons are an important wintering and staging area for birds. However, in Bardawil, the great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo causes substantial damage to fisheries as it devours more than 6 percent of Bardawil’s fish production (Khalil and Shaltout, 2006). Four mammals (fennic fox, wild cat, sand cat and Jaculus orientalis) are recorded as threatened species in the Bardawil lagoon.