Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.

Along the Deltaic Mediterranean Coast of Egypt, reed stands are important for wintering, foraging, refuging and breeding of the migrant birds. These stands also play an important role in the nutrient budget of the Mediterranean coastal waters and lakes. Phragmites australis is the major component of reed stands covering approx. 8200 ha along the shores of Lake Burullus, a Ramsar site in Egypt. Stand structure and biomass production of this plant were analyzed along the north-south and east-west gradients at monthly intervals over a period of one year (February 2003 - January 2004). For this purpose, young and old stands were selected at eight different locations in the lake. Further, some water and sediment characteristics were measured monthly at the same locations. A published temperate zone reed model (FEMME)was applied to assess the growth and cycling of carbon and nutrients among the various organs of P. australis in this sub-tropical lake. The aim was to quantify morphometric and biomass variability among reed beds along a fertility and salinity gradient in Lake Burullus.