Ecological Characterization of Halophytic Vegetation in Sabkha Saban, Libya: Life Forms and Chorological Patterns

Abstract

This study investigates the floristic composition, life-form spectra, and chorotypes of the vegetation cover in Sabkha Saban and its surrounding environments in Libya. Plant specimens were collected during ten bimonthly field surveys conducted from January to May 2023, covering various microhabitats within the study area. A total of 48 plant species, belonging to 47 genera and 21 families, were identified. The Asteraceae family exhibited the highest species richness (20.8%), followed by Poaceae (14.58%), Brassicaceae (8.33%), Chenopodiaceae (8.33%), and Fabaceae (6.25%).Analysis of life forms revealed a clear dominance of therophytes (29 species; 60.41%), followed by hemicryptophytes (11 species; 22.91%), reflecting the seasonal nature of the saline environment. From a phytogeographical perspective, Mediterranean elements were most prevalent, with 14 species (29.16%) classified as Mediterranean chorotypes. Other significant distributions included Mediterranean-Irano-Turanian (12.5%) and Euro-Siberian-Mediterranean (12.5%) links. Comparative analysis with Floristic and inventory study of Mallaha Wetland Tripoli-Libya. —specifically—revealed 23 shared species and 25 unique records identified in this study. These findings provide critical baseline data for the conservation of halophytic biodiversity in arid and semi-arid saline ecosystems, underscoring the ecological value of Sabkha Saban.