Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40640714›Full record

ArticleBMC ecology and evolution2025

Future habitat dynamics of critically endangered endemic plants in the St. Catherine protected area, South Sinai, Egypt: climate change perspectives on mountain ecosystems.

K Omar, A Mohamed, M Shaltout, I Elgamal, L M Bidak

Abstract read
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Article in BMC ecology and evolution, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

K OmarNature Conservation Secor, Egyptian Ministry of Environment, Cairo, Egypt. kariemomar@gmail.com.
A MohamedFaculty of Science, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.
M ShaltoutFaculty of Science, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.
I ElgamalTilad Environmental Consultation and Veterinary Medicine, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
L M BidakFaculty of Science, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.

Funding

Conservation Leadership Program (CLP) 01809422
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMountain ecosystems provide crucial insights into species distribution, yet their fragility, especially in the warming Mediterranean, puts many species at high extinction risk. This study, focusing on four critically endangered plants in Egypt's St. Catherine Protected Area (Primula boveana, Rosa arabica, Micromeria serbaliana, and Silene oreosinaica), uses Species Distribution Models (MaxEnt) and the IUCN Red List to assess climate change impacts and enhance future conservation strategies.

resultsField observations from 2024 to 2025 revealed changes in Extent of Occurrence (EOO) and Area of Occupancy (AOO) when compared to historical records. EOO increased for all species: P. boveana (72.8 km², + 280%), R. arabica (102 km², + 117%), M. serbaliana (88.5 km², + 30%), and S. oreosinaica (61 km², + 15%) as discovery of new and rehabilitated sites. This reclassified R. arabica from Critically Endangered (CR) to Endangered (EN), although the other species remain CR. Despite these geographical increases, both human and natural threats continue to cause declines in individual numbers and habitat quality. High predictive model accuracy was recorded (AUC ≥ 0.97, TSS ≥ 0.85). Under current conditions, P. boveana and R. arabica exhibit wider potential distributions (11.3% and 12.1% of the total area, respectively) than M. serbaliana (5.2%) and S. oreosinaica (5.4%). Areas with high probability of occurrence are primarily found in the northwestern mountains, often fragmented by topography. MaxEnt projected a decline in suitable habitats for these species, with new suitable areas emerging in SCPA's southern mountains. Future habitat reduction rates for the years 2050 and 2070 varied: S. oreosinaica (2-23%), P. boveana (7-32%), and M. serbaliana (2-41%), while R. arabica demonstrated high stability (> 96%).

conclusionsOur findings show an altitudinal shift, with species moving to higher, southern mountains, experiencing habitat fragmentation and losses elsewhere. Effective conservation needs ongoing monitoring, in-situ/ex-situ efforts, and addressing threats like overgrazing. Raising environmental awareness is crucial.

Indexed as

Climate ChangeConservation of Natural ResourcesEcosystemEndangered SpeciesEgyptConservation monitoringHabitat suitabilityIUCN red listMaxentPrioritizationRestricted range speciesSpatial changesSpecies distribution modeling

Identifiers

PMID40640714
PMCPMC12243221

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.