Wetland Quality for Sustainable Development Northwest of the Suez Canal: Components and Constraints

Abstract

Wetlands northwest of the Suez Canal were classified into two types: lands submerged with water, and lands saturated with groundwater. The resources of water in the study area vary, as they are derived from drains, aqueducts, and sea water through Ashtoum El-Gamil Bogaz and El-Qabouti Canal. The wetlands in the study area are characterized by their biological diversity, which included producing organisms (plants) and consuming organisms (birds and fish). Moreover, the economic importance and benefits of wetland biodiversity are evident in the fields of agriculture, medicine, industry, environment, recreation and tourism. However, they are exposed to many problems resulting from human activities. This is mainly due to the fact that the human factor is responsible for causing deterioration, change, and even destruction of the components of the biosphere in the region.