Do Spatially Structured Soil Variables Influence the Plant Diversity in Tabuk Arid Region, Saudi Arabia?

Plant diversity is affected by spatial variables as well soil physical and chemical variables. In this study, plant species were investigated in five sites of Tabuk Province (Saudi Arabia), namely Aldesah, Alzetah, Alawz, Harra Sharma, to understand if the spatially structured (pH, electric conductivity (EC), texture, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, phosphate, total organic matter (OM), bicarbonate sodium) influence diversity. A 163 belong 41 families 124 genera reported from 5 sites. Diversity indices including richness (alpha), evenness, Brillouin, Menhinick, Margalef, equitability estimated Chao-1 significantly different among studied with pronounced high values Sharma Aldesah. The highest value beta was Aldesah (0.253) followed (0.171). According principal coordinates neighbourhood matrix (PCNM) analysis, 11 positive vectors (variables) found. However, after running forward selection procedures (using 2 stopping criteria), only 3 retained (PCNM 1 (adj–R2 = 0.043, F 5.201, p 0.004), PCNM 0.027, 3.97, 0.006) 0.019, 3.36, 0.007)). linear models between selected vectors) produced investigate their structure. first model, axis showed significant relationship pH potassium 0.175, 0.046). second had a OM sodium 0.561, < 0.001). Lastly, factor correlated third 0.365, 0.002). conclusion, did not show strong on except which 1, sodium, 2, 3.