Overview of plants that live in the Nile River
Cascading through eleven African countries, the world’s longest river, the Nile has been flowing for centuries, providing water to nearby cities, settlements and plants. Our research takes us along the Nile River to find out which plants, aquatic and terrestrial species are living there.
Remarkably, over 150 species of plants have been identified in the Nile Basin. The majority, approximately 25 species, are found in the delta area in the north where the air and soil are moist and where the water is often brackish. These include the Nile Rush, Tamarix nilotica, African Lotus, Nymphaea lotus, and various wetland grasses.
In other parts of the river, vegetation is mainly made up of smaller trees and shrubs with a few scattered large trees. Some of the most common tree species found lining the banks of the river are Weeping Willows, Salix babylonica and Egyptian Tamarisk, Tamarix Nilotica . These trees have adapted to living near the rivers by tolerating high levels of salt.
Several small herbaceous plants such as Dwarf Club Rush, Isolepis setacea, Water Horsetail, Equisetum fluviatile, and Water Milfoil, Myriophyllum spp., are also found by the Nile River. On top of this, aquatic algae and adult and larval insects are plentiful in Nile waters.
Interesting Facts About Nile River Plants
The beautiful Nile Lotus is one of the most iconic species in the Nile, with its water lily-like white blooms and bright blue-green foliage which stands out in contrast to the dark water. Nile Lotuses are important food sources for many organisms and their tubers are used as food by various fish and crustaceans.
Tamarix nilotica is another important species for the area, often referred to as the tallest tree in the Sahara, with some specimens reaching 25 meters in height.
Salix babylonica is highly tolerant of salty water and coastal areas, and is common along the banks of the Nile. Salix babylonicas are great soil stabilizers, protect hillsides from erosion and provide much-needed shade in otherwise scorching hot weather.
How Do Nile River Plants Survive?
Given the climate and environmental conditions along the Nile River, it is surprising that so many plants can still survive there. Nile River plants have adaptive strategies that enable them to tolerate the intense weather.
One such adaptation is the way that plants along the Nile are able to tolerate salt. Many of the trees and shrubs found along the river have evolved to be able to cope with the high salt content in the water by developing mechanisms like the reabsorption of the salt from their leaves.
The Nile River plants are also able to survive in their harsh environment by exploiting the limited seasonal rainfall to their advantage. For instance, the Nile rush has adapted to thrive in the flooded areas during the rainy season.
Human Impact on Nile River Plants
Humans have been greatly affecting the diversity and abundance of the vegetation located along the Nile River. One such effect is the over-consumption of water taken from the river for farming and development activities. This is causing water levels to decrease and affecting the water chemistry, leading to faster rates of evaporation and salinization on the banks of the river.
The Nile is also heavily polluted from various sources, from discharge from industries, to runoff from agricultural fields. This pollution has caused a decrease in plant species along the Nile, as the polluted water can no longer sustain the vegetation and wildlife.
Protecting the Plants of the Nile River
The vast wealth of biodiversity that still remains today in the Nile is worth protecting. Various conservation measures are being implemented across the region such as reforestation, and the introduction of sustainable fishing practices.
Organizations are also working to restrict human activities that can damage the environment along the Nile, such as setting up protected areas. These protected areas provide a refuge for plants, birds and other animals to generate populations and allow populations to recover.
In addition, traditional management strategies are being used to protect the plants, such as the use of natural earthen dams in areas where heavy erosion takes place. In Egypt, the government has been issuing laws to protect the rivers’ vegetation from various threats.
Conclusion of the Environmental Impact
Overall, human activities are having a negative effect on the vegetation in the Nile River basin, as industrial and agricultural practices are taking away the resources needed for the plants to survive. Therefore, the implementation of conservation initiatives is extremely important for the future of the plants found in this region.
Environmental policies need to be further adopted and enforced in order to protect the Nile from further damage. With these efforts, we can hope to see the Nile River plant life thrive once again.
