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Biological diversity
(biodiversity) refers to the variability among all living
organisms. The number of species on Earth is most probably
in the range of 10 million, from which only about 1.4
million have been scientifically described. Equatorial areas
are the richest regions in biodiversity in the world.
Species richness decreases from the equator towards the
northern and southern poles.
Biodiversity has many
benefits. Wild species and the genetic variation within them
make substantial contributions to the development of
agriculture, medicine and industry. Many species constitute
the foundation for providing the basic human needs of local
communities in developing countries. Biodiversity supports
and promotes ecotourism, and has great moral and cultural
values.
Biodiversity is decreasing worldwide at an
alarming rate. At present, some 4000 species are endangered,
3600 are vulnerable, and 7200 are considered rare and need
protection. Four main causes have been identified for the
loss of species: habitat loss or modification;
over-exploitation of some species; pollution of the
biosphere; and the impact of introduced exotic species which
may threaten natural flora and fauna by predation,
competition or altering natural habitat.
Four
approaches for the global conservation of biodiversity have
been formulated: the protection of habitat of species;
reducing over-exploitation; establishment of species and
gene banks to preserve threatened types; and curbing
pollution of the biosphere. Several regional and
international agreements have been concluded to pursue these
four approaches to conserve biodiversity. The most important
agreement concluded is the Biodiversity Convention that was
signed at the Earth Summit in 1992.
Egypt is
generally poor in biodiversity, as compared to tropical
countries. However, Egypt has a wide range of fauna and
flora in the deserts, which are threatened. Also there are
several bird species that multiply and take seasonal refuge
in the lakes North of the Nile Delta and Sinai. In addition,
the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea have some marine
species that are becoming threatened by human activities.
Both the geographical and climate conditions determine the
distribution of biodiversity in Egypt. The fauna of the
Eastern Desert is related in the northern part to that of
Sinai, but in the southern part it has a tropical character.
The fauna of the Western Desert is of Mediterranean
character in the northern part, but in the southern part,
the fauna is typically Saharan and is related to the fauna
of the Central Sahara.
The National Conservation
Strategy of Egypt has paid considerable attention to
conservation of biodiversity. Several laws have been enacted
to protect animals, plants and birds; the latest is Law No.4
of 1994, known as the "Environment Law". Also Law No.102 of
1983, which outlines the legal framework for the
establishment and management of protected areas, has been
enacted. By the end of 2000, 21 protected areas covering
about 8% of the total surface area of Egypt has been
established. These are divided into three categories:
wetlands protected areas (11 sites); desert and mountain
protected areas (7 sites); and geological and
geomorphological protected areas (3 sites).
Several
projects have been implemented, or are under way, to
conserve biodiversity in Egypt. The most important ones are
: wetlands and coastal areas conservation project in the
Mediterranean Basin (MedWetCoast project); medicinal plants
conservation project; conservation of biodiversity in the
Red Sea, and others. The National Unit for Biodiversity
Conservation, affiliated to the Protected Areas Directorate
of the Egyptian Environment Affairs Agency, implements the
National Action Plan for Conservation of Biodiversity,
focusing on the following activities: establishment of a
protected areas network; establishment of Egyptian museum of
natural history; establishment of a national gene bank;
establishment of a multiplication center for endangered
species; establishment of biodiversity conservation
information network; capacity building in the areas of
conservation and management of protected areas; and
education and dissemination of awareness about the
importance of conservation of different species.
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