Floristic Composition and Vegetation Analysis of the Plant Communities in North Kordofan State, Sudan: A Comprehensive Survey

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive floristic and vegetation analysis of plant communities in North Kordofan State, Sudan, a semi-arid region undergoing increasing climatic and anthropogenic pressures. Field surveys conducted in March 2023 documented 137 plant species belonging to 61 genera and 37 families, dominated by dicotyledons. Fabaceae, Poaceae, Malvaceae, Asteraceae, and Euphorbiaceae were the most species-rich families. Vegetation structure was characterized by a high proportion of herbs, with annual species (56.9%) slightly exceeding perennials (43.1%). Life-form analysis following Raunkiaer’s classification revealed the dominance of therophytes (47%), reflecting adaptation to seasonal drought, grazing pressure, and recurrent disturbance, while phanerophytes (17%) and geophytes–helophytes (15%) indicated the presence of relatively stable habitats. Chorological analysis showed a predominance of Saharo-Arabian and cosmopolitan elements, alongside Sudano-Zambezian and palaeotropical species, highlighting North Kordofan as a biogeographical transition zone. The observed floristic patterns underscore the combined influence of climate variability, soil conditions, and land-use practices on vegetation composition. These findings provide a baseline for biodiversity assessment and emphasize the need for targeted conservation strategies that protect perennial-rich habitats, regulate land use, and integrate long-term ecological monitoring to enhance ecosystem resilience in semi-arid Sudan.