Vegetation Dynamics and Growth Performance of among Different Habitats in Egypt.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> <i>Nitraria retusa</i> is a salt-tolerant and drought-resistant shrub located in the Nitrariaceae family. Floristic composition and soil characters in representative habitats of <i>Nitraria retusa</i> were analyzed in terms of habitat variations and vegetation dynamics. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> A total of 12 sites were surveyed and nineteen environmental factors were recognized in three main habitats: sandy dunes, salt marshes and wadi channel. Homogeneity of each stand was secured by visual judgment to comprise uniform habitat dominated by <i>Nitraria retusa</i>. A list of the accompanied species (inside and outside the studied quadrates) was made to give an idea about the plant diversity in the study area. <b>Results:</b> Four main vegetation groups were recorded and their controlling ecological factors were identified. Species diversity gradients in addition to the gradient of human interference were significantly higher in dunes habitat than the other habitats. The growth performance of <i>Nitraria retusa</i> was significantly higher in the sand dunes habitat than in the other habitats. <b>Conclusion:</b> The Egyptian desert's need for judicious utilization and sustainable development. For this, the influence of other environmental factors needs to be analyzed properly understood.