Crop diversification in the Egyptian Nile Region; viewpoint of spatial, climatic, and human features

Plant diversity is undoubtedly influenced by spatial and climatic factors, as well as others as architecture, human effects, and population percentage. This research demonstrates how site characteristics influence crop species diversity. One hundred eighty-five cultivated centers of 20 governorates forming the Egyptian Nile Region were examined regarding to their crop diversity from March 2021 to March 2022, including 170 crop species, sub-species and varieties. These cultivated centers were classified using two-way cluster analysis (TWCA) into 62 groups according to their floristic composition; and ordinated along the first and second axes of Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCOA) with type of irrigation supply. Group 51 had the uppermost species richness (333.5 species group(-1)), while group 44 had the uppermost species turnover (9). Eighteen least cultivated species were recorded: 12 species in 2 centers e.g., Actinidia chinensis and Carica papaya and 6 in 3 e.g., Carya illinoinensis and Cyperus papyrus, while 60 species are common in >50 cultivated centers. Significant correlations were depicted between the species richness and X and Y coordinates, while insignificant correlation with area (m(2)) of each cultivated centre. Precipitation (mm yr(−1)), relative humidity (%) and temperature (°C) were depicted an insignificant correlation. Species density (Species m(−2)) was depicted an insignificant correlation, while population percentage had an insignificant correlation. Descriptively, a regular relationship between species diversity and type of irrigation supply and main human activities in each centre was observed.