مجلة الدراسات العليا- جامعة النيلين )مج01(،)ع93-2(01/2/2102م GCNU Journal ISSN: 1858-6228 Diversity of Flora and Fauna in Southern Nile Locality, Khartoum State, Sudan Reem A. Hamid1, Alawia A. ELawad2 and Elfatih E. Mahgoub3 1Wildlife Research Centre, Animal Research Co-corporation.2Faculty of Science and Technology, AlNeelain University, Khartoum, Sudan. 3College of Animal Production Science and Technology, Sudan University of Science and Technology Corresponding author E-mail address: [email protected] Abstract: The objective of the present study is to document the diversity of fauna and flora of the Eastern Nile Locality, Khartoum State, Sudan. Five range enclosures namely Abozaid, Elhedabab, Wadtbar, Salamat Wad Niel and Seyal Elfaki Saad were surveyed. Standard collection and identification methods were used for both plants and animals. During the study period, a total of 33 plant species, representing 27 genera from 14 families, in 11 orders were recorded. The flora is comprised of a variety of different life-forms; most are xerophytes (45.5%). The majority of the plant species have important uses as building material, medicinal values and as food and fodder. 22% of the collected plant species were fodders grazed or browsed by wild animals and domestic livestock. The wild faunal survey results indicated the presence of 16 species two of which are reptiles belonging to 2 families within the same order. The avifauna consisted of nine species falling into 7 families within 4 orders, while the observed mammals were 5 species within 5 families in 3 orders. Key words: Flora, Fauna, Biodiversity, Life forms, Economic uses. المستخلص: الهدف من هذه الدراسة هو توثيق تنوع النباتات والحيوانات في محلية شرق النيل بوﻻية الخرطوم، السودان. شملت الدراسة خمس محميات رعوية وهي أبوزيد، الهديباب، ودتبار، سلمة ودنايل وسيال الفكي سعد. أستخدمت اساليب جمع وتعريف قياسية لكل من النباتات والحيوانات. خﻻل فترة الدراسة تم تسجيل 33 نوعأ من النباتات، مثلت 72 طائفة من 49عائلة في 44 رتبة. شكلت النباتات مختلف أشكال النمو معظمها تتحمل الجفاف )94.4 %(. الغالبية العظمي من اﻷنواع النباتية لها إستخدامات مهمة كمواد للبناء، قيم طبية، وكغذاء وعلف. وكانت 77% من اﻷنواع النباتية التي تم جمعها تستخدم كاعﻷف ترعي من قبل الحيوانات البرية والماشية اﻷليفة. أشارت نتائج مسح الحيوانات البرية الي وجود 46 نوع تفاصيلها كاﻷتي: نوعين من الزواحف ينتمون الي 7 من العوائل لنفس الرتبة. تتألف الطيور من 4 أنواع تتبع لسبعة عوائل و9 رتب، في حين ان الثديات الموجودة 4 أنواع تتبع لخمس عوائل في 3 رتب. الكلمات المفتاحية: النباتات، الحيوانات، التنوع البيولوجي، أشكال النمو، اﻷستخدامات اﻷقتصادية. 49 مجلة الدراسات العليا- جامعة النيلين )مج01(،)ع93-2(01/2/2102م GCNU Journal ISSN: 1858-6228 Introduction: Establishment of enclosures, denoting areas of rangeland protected from grazing for a specific period of time, is a well-known management tool to achieve certain goals. Regeneration of the vegetation has positive effects on biodiversity (Asefa et al., 2002, Abebe et al., 2006) and soil fertility (McIntosh et al., 1997, Su et al., 2005, Mekuria et al., 2007) it reduces soil erosion (Descheemaecker et al., 2006) and increases water availability (Hongo et al., 1995). The floral composition of the Eastern Nile Locality has not been recently investigated. Studies on the flora of Khartoum State were few represented as part of the work of Broun and Massey (1929), Andrews (1950, 1952 and 1956) and El Amin (1990). No previous attempts have been carried out to document the wildlife species inhabiting this area. The study area is located in the semi desert ecological zone of the Sudan Andrews, 1948 and Harrison and Jackson 1958) and the semi-desert vegetation- Northern of Sahara (White, 1983). This zone is characterized by low and erratic rainfall. Vegetation cover of this zone comprises annual and perennial grasses, forbs, shrubs and trees. The most common annual grasses are Aristida adscensionis and Schoenefeldia gracilis. The common forbs are Corchorus depressus and Fagonia indica, while the common shrubs and trees were Acacia tortilis subsp. spirocarpa, A. ehrenbergiana and A. mellifera. This study is conducted to evaluate the present conditions of rangeland and wildlife population in Eastern Nile Locality, Khartoum, Sudan. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Study area: The Eastern Nile Locality is in the Southern part of Khartoum State 45 Kilometers south east Khartoum. Five range enclosures are established in this locality namely Abozaid 15°46′ 928″ N, 32°88′ 549″ E, Wadtabar 15°42′ 846″ N, 33°06′552″E, Elhedabab 15 42′893″ N, 33° 00′ 236″ E, Salmat wad Niel 15° 652′ 680″ N, 33° 25′ 928″E and Seyal Elfaki Saad 15° 54′ 976″N, 33° 20′ 724″E (Map 1). Specimen collection and identification: The plant specimens were collected during 2012–2014. The collection procedure followed (Forman and Bridson, 1991). Specimens were identified using Broun and Massey (1929), Andrews (1950), (1952) and (1956), El Amin (1990) and Braun et al., (1991). Recent literature was consulted for current plant names (The Plant List, 2013). The list of families covered in this study was arranged according to the Angiosperm System of Classification of Flowering Plants (APG III, 2009) and the Linear Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (LAPG) III (Haston et al., 2009), while subfamilies, genera, and species were arranged alphabetically within the families. The identified specimens were confirmed with authenticated herbarium specimens in the Royal Botanical Garden Herbarium Kew, the United Kingdom (http://apps.kew.org/herbact/navigator.ed.).Vernacular names and economic uses given were compiled from local people and available literature. The life-forms of the plants were based on Raunkiaer (1934). The survey for wildlife was carried out to indicate the composition of the species by direct observations of the individuals and their signs during the day and spotlight counts survey during the night (Taylor, 1930). Capturing of small mammals is done using cage traps. The morphmetric measurements and the weight of these species are recorded and used for identification purposes (Kindon, 2001). 44 مجلة الدراسات العليا- جامعة النيلين )مج01(،)ع93-2(01/2/2102م GCNU Journal ISSN: 1858-6228 Map 1: Study area Source: Conducted from author's surveys in National Remote Sensing Center, National Research Center, Khartoum, Sudan As for birds direct observation method was used and the identification was carried out by using Bisley Deluxe 10 X 50 binocular and the field guide of Birds of Africa south of the Sahara (Sinclair and Ryan 2003). Reptiles were counted using spotlight CP 7150 with a power of 550,000 watts halogen during the night survey and direct observation during the day; identification was carried out using Largen et al., (2010). Results and discussion: A total of 33 plant species, belonging to 27 genera included within 14 families falling in 11 orders were recorded from the study area (Table.1). The results include a varying range of species within different families. Poaceae was found to be the largest family represented by 9 species; followed by Fabaceae which was represented by 8 species and Zygophyllaceae which was represented by three species. Each of Malvaceae and Euphorbiaceae were represented by two species. Acanthaceae, Aizoaceae, Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae, Cyperaceae, Orbanchaceae, Solanaceae and Rubiaceae are monophyletic (Fig.1). This result can be considered as normal in a semi-desert environment. The families Poaceae and Fabaceae are usually 46 مجلة الدراسات العليا- جامعة النيلين )مج01(،)ع93-2(01/2/2102م GCNU Journal ISSN: 1858-6228 widely distributed in any floristic study. Occurrence of Poaceae can be attributed to their wide ecological range of tolerance and to their efficient seed dispersal capability (Collentte, 1999 and Good, 1974). The flora is comprised of a variety of different life-forms. Most are xerophytes (45.5%), chamaephytes and phanerophytes (24.25%); two species exist as xerophytes or chamaephytes. Most of the plant species of the study area have important economic uses (Fig.2). The study area is considered as a natural range for the livestock. Twenty two species are fodder plants, most are grazed and some are browsed by animals during the dry season. Large trees, shrubs and grasses are utilized for building materials. Some plants are used for medicinal purposes; others are edible as human food, while Striga hermonthica parasitized the cultivated areas. Seeds of Blepharis ciliaris are brought to the locality from Kassala State during the broadcast program of the executive Range and Pasture Administration, Khartoum State (Fig.3). Table (1): Floral Composition of the Eastern Nile Locality, Sudan. Family Scientific Name Life Uses form Clade: Monocots/Commelinales Order: Poales Cyperaceae Cyperus rotundus L. Ch M Poaceae subf.: Aristida adscensionis L. Th Fd Aristidoideae Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Willd. Th Fd Poaceae subf.: Eragrostis cilianensis (All.) Janch. Th Fd Chloridoideae E. tremula Hochst. Ex Steud. Th Fd Schoenefeldia gracilis Kunth. Th Fd Poaceae subf.: Brachiaria deflexa (Schumach.) C. E. Th Fd, Ed Panicoideae Hubb. ex Robyns Cenchrus biflorus Roxb. Th Fd, Ed C. ciliaris L. Ch Fd,Ec Panicum turgidum Forssk. Ch Fd, Ed,Rr, Ec Clade: Eudicots/Rosids/fabids (eurosids I) Order: Zygophyllales Zygophyllaceae subf.: Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile Ph Fd, Fu, G, Ed, Tribuloideae T. Tribulus terrestris L. Th M,Rr Zygophyllaceae subf.: Fagonia indica Burm. f. Th/Ch M, Fd Zygophylloideae Clade: Eudicots/Rosids/fabids (eurosids I) Order: Fabales Fabaceae subf.: Senna alexandrina Mill. Ph M, Sc Caesalpinoideae S. occidentalis (L.) Link Ch M Fabaceae subf.: Acacia ehrenbergiana Hayne Ph Fd, Ed, Fu, T. A. mellifera (M.Vahl) Benth. Ph Fd, Fu, M, T. Mimosoideae A. tortilis subsp. spirocarpa (Hochst ex A. Ph Fd, Fu, Rr, Sc, Rich.) Brenan T. Fabaceae subf.: Crotalaria senegalensis (Pers.) Bacle ex Th Fd, Si Papilionoideae DC. Indigofera hochstetteri Baker Th Fd, Ec, M, Ed Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr. Ph Fd, Fu, E, Ed Clade: Eudicots/Rosids/fabids (eurosids I) Order: Cucurbitales Cucurbitaceae subf.: Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad Th/Ch M.