Desert Algae of the Negev (Israel)

Abstract

A vegetation of non-aquatic and free-living (non-lichenized) algae exists in the Negev Desert of Israel. The following algal habitats are described: (A) soil algae, comprising (1) endedaphic algae (in soil), (2) epedaphic algae (on the surface of soil), and (3) hypolithic algae (on the lower surface of stones lying on soil); (B) rock algae (lithophytes) such as (4) chasmolithic algae (in rock fissures) and (5) endolithic algae (penetrating the rock tissue). The main water source of algae is thought to be dew. The floristic list comprises mainly green and blue-green algae.