GENERAL STATEMENT
The flora and fauna of the Sinai is as varied as
it is unexpected. Plant or animal live in places
under extreme conditions where only the most hardy
of species can survive.
Within the mountains grow plants suitably adapted
to the harsh environment yet in enough numbers to
provide adequate food supplies for the fauna. Over
time, most of these animals have become adapted
as well to these conditions, exhibiting the typical
dry land characteristics of water retention and
efficiency in metabolism. Body heat management also
ranks as an important attribute which is essential
for their survival.
During
the dry seasons, perennial plants hold onto the slender
thread of sustenance while others explode forth during
the rare rainy periods. When this eventually takes
place, flash flooding occurs at times building up
into impressive walls of water that can do much damage.
A great deal of this water then works its way through
the underlying rock strata, and from place to place
collects in natural underground retention structures
providing natural pools, or ground water which is
accessed by means of wells.
On
the coast, juxtaposed alongside this seemingly barren
landscape, is a bordering reef habitat which one only
wonders about given that its scope in colour, fish
and coral presence is on a par with any of the world's
major reef systems.
When trekking, it is important to not just look at
the ground in front, but to look up, behind, left
and right and most importantly, through things. As
most of the animal life is either nocturnal and or
shy, it helps to spot them from a distance before
they dart off.
Collecting is not encouraged, it being totally illegal
in the National Parks. The desert is under enough
pressure through the simple presence of humanity and
its accompanying cultural habits, without having its
contents removed. The catch phrase is "take nothing
and leave nothing".
For those who visit, please
look after this fragile environment. Many who live
here, work hard to encourage respect for it, and
thereby ensure its long term viability. It is rewarding
for us as it is beneficial to the natural habitat,
to see others taking steps as well, by removing
their rubbish and not destroying that which has
taken many years to evolve and flourish here.
