Egypt’s Natural Heritage: Ecosystems Worth Protecting

By Kenzy Fahmy

Each year on April 22nd the world celebrates Earth Day, honoring all the wonders of our planet and working to create awareness on the importance of protecting them. Egypt is truly blessed when it comes to its natural beauty, with ecosystems as diverse as its cultural heritage; as diverse and as important, if not more! But sadly, as with so much of our beautiful planet, the natural world is neglected and abused.

Today is all about reminding ourselves of the unbelievable gift we’ve been given, in our seas and rivers, our mountains and deserts. We forget that these ecosystems, with all their flora and fauna, are the ones that protect us and give us life; it is the planet that gives us life, not the other way around. Perhaps by highlighting the miracle that is the world around us, we can push ourselves, and each other, to take better care of it.

So let’s take a moment of appreciation for the biodiversity and vital ecosystems that come together to form the fabric of life in Egypt.

Reefs of the Red Sea

Egypt is blessed with some truly stunning reefs, from those at Ras Mohamed and the iconic Blue Hole to the island reefs off the coast of Marsa Alam. All along the Red Sea lie vast stretches of vibrant coral reefs absolutely teeming with life; they are one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, and one of the most important to our seas and oceans. The coral reefs of the Red Sea cover an area of over 1500km and are home to 300 species of coral and over 1,000 species of fish, many of which exist nowhere else on the planet. Not only do the reefs provide shelter, food and safe breeding grounds for all these species, but they also protect our coastlines.

Coral Reefs of the Red Sea

Deserts

From the far reaches of the Western Desert to the coastal borders of the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt’s desert ecosystems make up more than 90 percent of the country’s landmass, and we’d be wrong to assume they are devoid of life or any less important than our other ecosystems. The Eastern and coastal deserts of Egypt are surprisingly green and many of the wadis are abundant in vegetation, making them much more habitable to wildlife and the nomadic tribes that have lived there for millennia. The Western Desert, however, is far more barren, with Oases like Siwa, Bahareya and Fayoum providing much needed food, water and shelter from the dry desert heat.

Eastern Desert

Mountains

Egypt has four major mountainous ecosystems: Gebel Elba, the Red Sea mountain range, Gebel Uweinat, and the mountains of the South Sinai, some home to more species than others, but all equally important and all equally stunning. Thankfully the mountains are difficult to develop and have remained virtually untouched, protecting the diverse plant and wildlife they’re home to, as well as the tribal communities and their traditional way of life.

South Sinai Mountains

Mangrove Forests

Mangroves are perhaps one of the most underappreciated ecosystems on the planet; they’ve been named the guardians of the coast for good reason. Mangroves are complex and highly-efficient ecosystems that provide vital food and shelter to both land and marine species, they protect our coastlines from the harsh elements, and they maintain the delicate balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in our air, providing even further protection against the effects of global warming. Mangroves are seeing a rapid decline all over the globe; their importance to the planet cannot be understated, although it so often is, and they must be protected at all costs before they disappear altogether.

Red Sea Mangroves

The River Nile and the Delta Wetlands

Let’s face it, if not for the Nile, Egypt would not be what it is today. It’s thanks to the fertile and nutrient-rich waters of the Nile that the Egyptian civilization was able to come to life. The Delta, perhaps one of our most unique and valuable ecosystems, is home to both fresh-water and salt-water species of plants and animals, and provides a vital source of food and income for the millions of people who live there. Global warming and rising sea levels have caused the salinity of the water and land to increase, making it difficult to sustain life and agriculture, but it’s not too late to save it.

Delta Wetlands

Our Skies

When they say it’s all about location, location, location, they’re rarely talking about birds, but Egypt’s geographical position makes it an important stop along the migratory routes of hundreds of bird species, marking a transit point between continents, oceans and habitats. Not only is there an abundance of food, but the country’s moderate winter weather means it’s the perfect place to rest from a long journey and breed before moving on.

Seagulls in South Sinai

There are so many ways we can give back to this beautiful planet we call home; this year, we encourage you all to do just one thing - plant a tree. Happy Earth Day everyone!