Impact of Climate Change on Surviving of Phlomis aurea as an Endemic Species Growing in Southern Sinai, Egypt

Abstract

The changing climate globally is one of the most important influences that affect distribution patterns and phenology of plants. Global average temperatures have increased by more than 2°C. In the last century while precipitation patterns have plummeted dramatically. Phlomis aurea is a perennial species, endemic to South Sinai in Egypt; it grows in basins and gorge habitats which increase its ability to survive the natural arid environment of South Sinai. Phlomis aurea has a significant ecological and medicinal feature; it has a role in pollination due to the lipped flower it carries forming an arrival stage for honey bees, while medicinally, it has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cytostatic and immunosuppressant characteristics. Moreover, it's famous for antidiabetic activity in folk medicine. According to the IUCN, Phlomis aurea is a threatened species in Egypt that needs firm conservation plans considering the changing climate as a threat to biodiversity loss. The following review aims at investigating the current status of Phlomis aurea in Egypt and its vulnerability to climate change incidence taking over the globe. In conclusion, it's expected that, Phlomis.aurea would be highly resistant to increased drought; however, on the long run and with harsher climate change scenarios there could be a severe decline in the population unless precautions have been followed.