**9.1 Vegetation parameters**

The maximum tree height was 12.5 m recorded at site four (Nemra Ceta) while the minimum tree height was 1.70 m recorded at site two (Mohamed Ali). The circumference at base (CAB) ranged between 0.56 and 1.9 m found at Nemra Ceta, while the highest circumference at breast height (CBH) was 1.8 m and lowest value of 0.65 m, both found at site one (El Mawany). The crown cover of trees ranged between 3.70 and 268.67 m2 , whereas the highest value was found at site three (Amon area) and the lowest value at site four (Nemra Ceta) (**Table 2**). The number


**159**

**9.2 Soil properties**

(pH = 7.43) (**Table 4**).

*A Threatened Introduced Species (*Ficus benghalensis *L.) in Ismailia, Egypt*

**N Minimum Maximum Mean ± SD**

**N Minimum Maximum Mean ± SD**

**Site one Site two Site three Site four (El Mawany) (Mohamed Ali) (Amon) (Nemra Ceta)**

**Statistic Statistic Statistic Mean ±SE**

**Statistic Statistic Statistic Mean ±SE**

Height 38 3 12.5 6.7629 0.3142 1.9368 CAB 28 56 190 111.8929 7.3868 39.0871 CBH 33 44 163.28 105.2173 5.6693 32.5675 Cover 38 3.7 180.89 84.3755 7.9385 48.9363 Age 33 96 357 229.9697 12.4407 71.4666

Height 5 8.5 11 10.1 0.4301 0.9618

CBH 5 109.9 157 138.998 8.2311 18.4053 Cover 5 186.17 268.67 229.786 13.2333 29.5907 Age 5 240 344 304 18.1466 40.5771

of aerial roots that were recognized in the studied sites fluctuated from 1 to 183

No. of trees 55 16 5 38 Mean height 7 60.68 10.1 6.76 Mean CAB 121.8 98.82 N. R 105.21 Mean age 242.42 216.06 138.99 229.96 Mean cover 70.15 51.65 229.786 84.37

Soils of the examination region have two diverse surface classes, sand and loamy sand. Soil of site one (El Mawany) is loamy sand, whereas soils of the other three sites are sandy soils. Soil pH ranged from 7.43 to 9.14. Soil of site one (El Mawany) has the highest value (pH = 9.14) whereas site three (Amon) shows the lowest value

roots. Mean values of four localities are shown in (**Table 3**).

*Mean values of height, CAB, age and cover for the four studied localities.*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88164*

**Site no. three (Amon area)**

CAB 0

Valid N (listwise) 0 **Site no. four (Nemra Ceta)**

Valid N (listwise) 28

*Vegetation parameters for the studied four sites.*

**Table 2.**

**Table 3.**



**Site no. four (Nemra Ceta)**


#### **Table 2.**

*Modern Fruit Industry*

**8. Data treatment**

**9.1 Vegetation parameters**

between 3.70 and 268.67 m2

**Site no. one (El Mawany)**

Valid N (listwise) 33 **Site no. two (Mohamed Ali)**

Valid N (listwise) 7

**9. Results**

rings and circumference of the available 21 cross sections of *Ficus* trees were measured. Simple regression between annual rings as dependent variable and circumference as independent variable was carried out to have the regression equation that

To describe the age dating structure of *Ficus* trees at different sites, scale as fol-

Data were statistically analyzed [19] using SPSS software (statistical package for social sciences, version 8). One-way ANOVA was carried out to test the variation of different variables between different four sites. Linear correlation coefficient, *r*, was estimated to find out the relationships between age dating, height and tree cover.

The maximum tree height was 12.5 m recorded at site four (Nemra Ceta) while the minimum tree height was 1.70 m recorded at site two (Mohamed Ali). The circumference at base (CAB) ranged between 0.56 and 1.9 m found at Nemra Ceta, while the highest circumference at breast height (CBH) was 1.8 m and lowest value of 0.65 m, both found at site one (El Mawany). The crown cover of trees ranged

(Amon area) and the lowest value at site four (Nemra Ceta) (**Table 2**). The number

Height 55 3.52 11.52 7.0907 0.2485 1.8428 CAB 33 70 170 121.1818 4.6857 26.9171 CBH 40 65 180.03 110.8703 3.966 25.0832 Cover 55 18.31 223.14 70.1522 5.6871 42.1767 Age 40 142 394 242.425 8.6843 54.9241

Height 16 1.7 12 6.6875 0.5972 2.3888 CAB 7 90 125 121.1818 5.101 13.496 CBH 16 80 135.02 110.8703 4.6881 18.7523 Cover 16 13.68 104.72 70.1522 8.2362 32.9447 Age 16 175 295 242.425 10.2881 41.1525

, whereas the highest value was found at site three

**N Minimum Maximum Mean ±SD Statistic Statistic Statistic Mean ±SE Statistic**

**N Minimum Maximum Mean ± SD Statistic Statistic Statistic Mean ±SE Statistic**

used to figure out the age dating of the main trunk of *F. benghalensis* trees.

lows: <150, 151–200, 201–250, 251–300, 301–350, and >350 years (**Table 1**).

**158**

*Vegetation parameters for the studied four sites.*


**Table 3.**

*Mean values of height, CAB, age and cover for the four studied localities.*

of aerial roots that were recognized in the studied sites fluctuated from 1 to 183 roots. Mean values of four localities are shown in (**Table 3**).

#### **9.2 Soil properties**

Soils of the examination region have two diverse surface classes, sand and loamy sand. Soil of site one (El Mawany) is loamy sand, whereas soils of the other three sites are sandy soils. Soil pH ranged from 7.43 to 9.14. Soil of site one (El Mawany) has the highest value (pH = 9.14) whereas site three (Amon) shows the lowest value (pH = 7.43) (**Table 4**).


**Table 4.**

*Soil physical and chemical characteristics for the studied localities.*

As appeared (**Table 4**) summarizing the soil properties of the four sites studied, site one (El Mawany) has the lowest EC (4.52 ds/m) whereas site two (Mohamed Ali) shows the highest EC (7.84 ds\m) and both EC values of sites three (Amon) and four (Nemra Ceta) were (4.56 ds\m) and (5.47 ds\m) respectively. Site four (Nemra Ceta) shows the highest content of organic matter (7.80%) whereas site one (El Mawany) show the lowest content (4.18%), while results for sites three (Amon) and two (Mohamed Ali) were 7.30 and 6.60%, respectively. Site one (El Mawany) shows the lowest content of sand was 89.33% whereas moderate content of clay 5% and highest content of silt 5.67%. Site three (Amon) shows highest content of sand 92.67% whereas the lowest silt content and clay 3.67%. Site four (Nemra Ceta) shows the highest content of clay 5.33% whereas moderate content of fine sand fraction 91% and lowest content of silt 3.67%.

#### **9.3 Age dating**

Diameter and annual rings of each branch were measured and regression equation was calculated using the data of diameter and number of growth rings in order to figure out the age dating of the main trunk of different *Ficus* trees. The regression equation is:

No. of rings = (−0.933 + 2.195 circumference) (cm) (**Figure 5**). *r* = 0.95 *r* 2 = 0.90 *P* ≤ 0.0001

Age dating at El Mawany, ranged from 142 to 394 years. The oldest tree is 394 years, 10.51 m height and 106.73 m<sup>2</sup> cover while the youngest tress is 142 years, 3.52 m height and 20.58 m2 cover. At site two (Mohamad Ali) which has 16 trees age dating of these trees ranges from 175 to 295 years, the oldest tree is 295 years, 7.50 m height and 59.42 m<sup>2</sup> cover, and whereas the youngest tree is 1.70 m height and 80.32 m<sup>2</sup> cover. Whereas site three (Amon) includes five trees, age of these trees range from 240 to 344 years, the oldest tree is 344 years, 10.50 m height and 268.67 m<sup>2</sup> cover; whereas the youngest tree which is 240 years old, 10 m height and 224.20 m<sup>2</sup> cover. Site four (Nemra Ceta) which has 38 trees, age of these trees ranges from 96 to 357 years, the oldest tree which is 357 years, 8 m height and 124.82 m<sup>2</sup> cover, whereas the youngest tree is 126 years, 5 m height and 13.72 m2 cover.

Based on the regression results, the oldest *Ficus* tree is 394 years found at site one (El Mawany), followed by the second oldest tree about 357 years found at site four (Nemra Ceta).

#### **9.4 Relationships between age and vegetation parameters**

One way ANOVA (analysis of variance) of height, CAB, CBH, cover, and age have significant variation between the different sites. Multiple comparison of the

**161**

cover = 51.6 m2

**Table 5.**

**Figure 5.**

*A Threatened Introduced Species (*Ficus benghalensis *L.) in Ismailia, Egypt*

significant variables using Duncan test showed that site three has the highest mean values of different parameters (height = 10.1, CBH = 138.9 m, cover = 229.8 m<sup>2</sup>

Correlation analysis of different parameters showed highly significant direct correlation between age dating, cover, height, CAB, and CBH. Age dating data showed the highest correlation coefficient with CBH (*r* = 1), and CAB (*r* = 0.909)

) (**Table 3**). Analyses of variance of vegetation parameters and age

**Sum of squares Df Mean square F Sig.**

Between groups 51.833 3 17.278 4.619 0.004

Between groups 2677.835 3 892.612 0.872 0.46

Between groups 6725.245 3 2241.748 3.099 0.031

Between groups 131041.8 3 43680.6 23.502 0

Between groups 32264.92 3 10754.98 3.092 0.031

age = 304 years), followed by site number one and four. On the other hand, site number two showed the lowest mean values of these parameters (CBH = 9.8 m and

for *F. benghalensis* in the four studies area are shown in (**Table 5**).

followed by cover (*r* = 0.694) and height (*r* = 0.651).

, and

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88164*

*Relation between number of annual rings and circumference (cm).*

Height Within groups 411.47 110 3.741 Total 463.304 113

CAB Within groups 65528.45 64 1023.882 Total 68206.28 67

CBH Within groups 65107.9 90 723.421 Total 71833.15 93

Cover Within groups 204448.2 110 1858.62 Total 335,490 113

Age Within groups 313077.7 90 3478.641 Total 345342.6 93

*ANOVA of vegetation parameters and age of F. benghalensis in four main sites.*

*A Threatened Introduced Species (*Ficus benghalensis *L.) in Ismailia, Egypt DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88164*

#### **Figure 5.**

*Modern Fruit Industry*

**Table 4.**

**Site no. pH EC** 

**(ds\m)**

As appeared (**Table 4**) summarizing the soil properties of the four sites studied, site one (El Mawany) has the lowest EC (4.52 ds/m) whereas site two (Mohamed Ali) shows the highest EC (7.84 ds\m) and both EC values of sites three (Amon) and four (Nemra Ceta) were (4.56 ds\m) and (5.47 ds\m) respectively. Site four (Nemra Ceta) shows the highest content of organic matter (7.80%) whereas site one (El Mawany) show the lowest content (4.18%), while results for sites three (Amon) and two (Mohamed Ali) were 7.30 and 6.60%, respectively. Site one (El Mawany) shows the lowest content of sand was 89.33% whereas moderate content of clay 5% and highest content of silt 5.67%. Site three (Amon) shows highest content of sand 92.67% whereas the lowest silt content and clay 3.67%. Site four (Nemra Ceta) shows the highest content of clay 5.33% whereas moderate content of fine sand

**OM (%)**

 (El Mawany) 9.14 4.52 4.18 89.33 5.67 5.00 Loamy sand (Mohamed Ali) 7.88 7.84 6.6 91.33 4.00 4.67 Sandy (Amon) 7.43 4.56 7.3 92.67 3.67 3.67 Sandy (Nemra Ceta) 7.93 5.47 7.8 91.00 3.67 5.33 Sandy

**Sand (%)**

**Silt (%)** **Clay (%)**

**Soil type**

Diameter and annual rings of each branch were measured and regression equation was calculated using the data of diameter and number of growth rings in order to figure out the age dating of the main trunk of different *Ficus* trees. The regression

No. of rings = (−0.933 + 2.195 circumference) (cm) (**Figure 5**).

Age dating at El Mawany, ranged from 142 to 394 years. The oldest tree is

age dating of these trees ranges from 175 to 295 years, the oldest tree is 295 years,

trees range from 240 to 344 years, the oldest tree is 344 years, 10.50 m height and

from 96 to 357 years, the oldest tree which is 357 years, 8 m height and 124.82 m<sup>2</sup>

cover, whereas the youngest tree is 126 years, 5 m height and 13.72 m2

**9.4 Relationships between age and vegetation parameters**

cover. Whereas site three (Amon) includes five trees, age of these

cover; whereas the youngest tree which is 240 years old, 10 m height and

Based on the regression results, the oldest *Ficus* tree is 394 years found at site one (El Mawany), followed by the second oldest tree about 357 years found at site four

One way ANOVA (analysis of variance) of height, CAB, CBH, cover, and age have significant variation between the different sites. Multiple comparison of the

cover. Site four (Nemra Ceta) which has 38 trees, age of these trees ranges

cover while the youngest tress is 142 years,

cover.

cover. At site two (Mohamad Ali) which has 16 trees

cover, and whereas the youngest tree is 1.70 m height

fraction 91% and lowest content of silt 3.67%.

*Soil physical and chemical characteristics for the studied localities.*

= 0.90 *P* ≤ 0.0001

394 years, 10.51 m height and 106.73 m<sup>2</sup>

**9.3 Age dating**

equation is:

*r* = 0.95 *r*

and 80.32 m<sup>2</sup>

268.67 m<sup>2</sup>

224.20 m<sup>2</sup>

(Nemra Ceta).

2

3.52 m height and 20.58 m2

7.50 m height and 59.42 m<sup>2</sup>

**160**

*Relation between number of annual rings and circumference (cm).*


#### **Table 5.**

*ANOVA of vegetation parameters and age of F. benghalensis in four main sites.*

significant variables using Duncan test showed that site three has the highest mean values of different parameters (height = 10.1, CBH = 138.9 m, cover = 229.8 m<sup>2</sup> , and age = 304 years), followed by site number one and four. On the other hand, site number two showed the lowest mean values of these parameters (CBH = 9.8 m and cover = 51.6 m2 ) (**Table 3**). Analyses of variance of vegetation parameters and age for *F. benghalensis* in the four studies area are shown in (**Table 5**).

Correlation analysis of different parameters showed highly significant direct correlation between age dating, cover, height, CAB, and CBH. Age dating data showed the highest correlation coefficient with CBH (*r* = 1), and CAB (*r* = 0.909) followed by cover (*r* = 0.694) and height (*r* = 0.651).
