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Libya Ecosystems

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Ecosystems in Libya

Libya is located in North-Central Africa along the Mediterranean Sea and stretches across a vast area reaching into the heart of the African continent. It is bordered to the east by Egypt, to the south by Sudan, Chad, and Niger, and to the west by Algeria and Tunisia. Geographically, Libya lies between longitudes 9° and 25° East and latitudes 18° and 33° North. Its geographical position serves as an important bridge connecting Africa to Europe, while its strategic location on the southern Mediterranean coast has made it directly influenced by key historical events in the Mediterranean region since ancient times.

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Fourth-largest country in terms of land area

Libya is characterized by its vast expanse, ranking as the fourth-largest country in Africa by area.

Total Area

1,774,440 km²

Length of its coastline along the Mediterranean Sea

1900 km

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Climate

The climate of most of Libya’s territory is characterized by dryness with significant temperature variations. The Sahara Desert in the south and the Mediterranean Sea in the north are the main factors determining the country’s climate. In the coastal area, the winter is mild, with the temperature of the coldest month not dropping below 5°C. Summer is relatively hot, with temperatures exceeding 30°C, and no rain falls during the summer in mountainous areas like the Western Mountain and Green Mountain. The elevation and proximity to the sea moderate the temperatures.

In the desert region, the annual average temperature exceeds 30°C, and it doesn’t go above 5°C in the winter. Rainfall is rare in these areas. Overall, Libya has a diverse climate, ranging from the mild Mediterranean climate along the coast to the desert climate in the south.

Main Ecosystems

Libyan territory contains many distinctive and varied topographical units, which can be classified into the following major ecosystems:

Coastal Ecosystems

This area begins from the seacoast and ranges in width from 5 to 25 kilometers along the Libyan coast. It widens in the western part of the country, reaching up to 120 kilometers as seen in the Jafara plain, and narrows to less than a kilometer, as in the area of Tolmeitha near Benghazi. The annual rainfall in this area ranges between 200 to 250 millimeters. This strip is characterized by a biodiversity dominated by the Mediterranean pattern, with numerous examples of semi-desert biodiversity in both plants and animals. It also hosts the majority of Libya’s economic and industrial activities, and is home to more than half of the country’s population, creating pressure on the marine and coastal environment. The Mediterranean climate prevails in this area, with wet winters and dry summers. This strip receives substantial rainfall, with dry years occurring occasionally. It includes several wetland areas such as salt flats, marshes, and salt lakes, as well as sand dunes. The area consists of plains, separated by semi-desert regions.

Mountain Ecosystems

Mountain ecosystems are located in the western mountains of Libya, such as the Nafusa Mountains and the Green Mountains in the eastern part of the country, which is the most diverse region in terms of plant life in Libya. The rest of the western mountains range from low-altitude forests to plant life found on mountain peaks. Only 0.01% of these land systems (217,000 square meters) contain forests, with an annual rainfall of approximately 200 to 300 millimeters. However, these forests should more accurately be referred to as “Mediterranean coastal shrubs.” The most common plants in these mountain ecosystems in Libyan lands are Mediterranean cypress trees, eucalyptus trees, Indian or Persian lilacs, and olive trees.

Desert Ecosystems

This area begins from the arid or semi-arid region, which lies directly south of the mountain region and runs parallel to it. The average rainfall here ranges from 50 to 150 millimeters. This area is often used for grazing and some agricultural activities conducted by local residents in certain valleys. The Libyan desert region can generally be divided into:

  • Desert Plateaus: The most notable are the Hamada al-Hamra plateau and the Hamada Tengert.
  • Desert Depressions: These include the Jaghbub depression, the Awjila, Jalu, and Ghat depressions, and the Murada depression.
  • Desert Basins: Such as the Ubari basin, the Murzuq basin, and the Kufra basin.
  • Mountains: These include the Suda mountain, the Hurooj mountains, the Tibesti mountains, the Awenat mountains, and the Akakus mountains.
  • Dry Wadis: Such as the Wadi al-Shati.
  • Sandy Flats and Sebkhas: Like the Sea of Sand and the Qatus Sebkha.