Analysis of Biodiversity and Similarity in Plant Community Composition in Wadi Al-Tha'ban, Southern Jebel Akhdar

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the diversity and floristic composition of Wadi Al-Tho'ban, located in the southern region of Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, Libya, by analyzing community variations across different seasons. It also involved an inventory of plant species, including their identification and classification. To assess community characteristics, several metrics were employed; the Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Simpson’s index, and the Sørensen coefficient were used to determine the degree of similarity in species composition between the different periods. The results showed the recording of 19 plant species belonging to 12 families; Shannon-Wiener index values ranged from 1.45 to 1.71, with significant differences observed between sectors, whereas Simpson index values ranged from 0.12 to 0.17, showing no significant differences between sectors. Additionally, Sørensen coefficient values indicated relatively high similarity between sectors, ranging from 87.50% to 89.66%. Overall, the results indicate notable plant diversity in Wadi Al-Tha'ban, with varying levels of diversity across different sectors, while the sectors maintained a high degree of similarity in their species composition. These findings provide a valuable basis for understanding the plant community structure in the area and for supporting efforts to conserve plant diversity and manage plant resources in arid and semi-arid environments.