Ahmad Hegazy: Graduate of Cairo University (B.Sc. and M.Sc.) and University of Alberta, Canada (Ph.D.). Presently Professor at Cairo University (Applied Plant Ecology and Environmental Science). Supervision of over 45 Ph.D. and M.Sc. students. Research in population and community ecology of desert, coastal and mountain ecosystems; biodiversity, conservation ecology and management of protected areas; biological interactions; allelopathy; environmental pollution, phyto-remediation, restoration ecology; and environmental impact assessment. Published over 150 scientific papers, edited and co-authored several books. Implemented research programs in Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Participated in many international conferences. English-Arabic translation of environmental articles for Scientific American. Jon Lovett-Doust: B. Sc. (Hons. Biol.) from Queen's University, Kingston, Canada, and Ph.D. from University of Wales. Presently emeritus at University of Windsor. Research in macro-ecology, plant population biology and reproductive ecology. Carried out research in Egypt and elsewhere. Published over 100 scientific papers; co-authored and co-edited several other books.
The volume provides a comprehensive, integrative, and well-detailed perspective on the plant ecology of the dryland landscapes of the Middle East, including plant geography and evolutionary and population ecology. This fact makes this book a very important reference and baseline for the research on plant ecology of drylands in the Middle East. It is an important read for students, professors, researchers,and experts in the fields of botany, ecology,conservation biology, evolution, and climate change. * N. Machaka-Houri, New Biological Books * The book represents an excellent introduction to plant ecology of deserts and provides many current references. Scientists, land managers, travelers, and students will find a wealth of fascinating content within this book, which will be of particular significance to those interested in desert ecosystems. Highly recommended. * R. B. Pratt, CHOICE *