Omayed

Omayed Biosphere Reserve is situated close to Alexandria and belongs to the biome of warm deserts and semi-deserts of the Western Mediterranean region. Low calcareous rocky ridges (ancient dunes) altering with depressions characterize the relief. Three major physiographic systems can be distinguished: coastal systems, ridges and depressions, and inland plateau systems.

The Omayed Biosphere Reserve was extended to an area of 70,000 hectares in 1998. The Egyptian authorities wanted to change the objectives of the site from being just an ‘experimental research area’ to encompass all the main objectives of a biosphere reserve and in particular to represent the landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation of the region. 

There are many different tribes in the area, which supports some 5,500 people (1997). Being a biosphere reserve, the area is expected to serve as a site for sustainable development of natural resources by rationalizing ecotourism, rangeland management, propagating multipurpose woody species, and promoting local industries. It also has an important function in long-term ecological monitoring. Read more about this biosphere reserve on the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves website.