280218_Luxor-Egypt SECAP Final_revised

to climate change impacts on the habitats in Northern lakes of Egypt such as: the lagoons of Maryut, Edku,
Borullus, Manzala and Bardaweel 39 . The northern part of the Nile Delta Natural Protectorates of the “Bays
of El Gamil”, “Ashtoon El Gamil”, and “Al Manzala lagoon” in Port-Said Governorate represent wetlands and
natural restricted area for birds that might be affected by SLR, and similarly in “El-Brolus” protected area in
Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate. The habitat of almost 135 amphibious plant species and has a significant role in
receiving immigration of wild birds exposed to “Zaraniq” Protected Area and “El Bardwaeel Marsh” in the
North Sinai Governorate is key points for bird migration in the world and the habitat for living and
reproduction. Over 270 species of birds have been recorded in the area such as Pelicans, herons, storks,
crested lark, quail, white stork, lark, avocet, Hem Harrier Rail and falcon 40 ; and climate change will affect
them all. A study conducted in 2014 on coral reefs in Red Sea coasts showed a significant decline on Growth
of coral reefs due to bleaching as a result of change water temperature and acidity in addition to human that
induced pressure and caused damage. These coral reefs are also exposed to water pollution form a high
volume of commercial shipping, oil spills, sewage and nutrient loading from hotels and resorts and over
fishing 41 . In Hurghada, coral reefs recorded a decline in growing and faced a 40 % decrease during 1987–
2000. It is estimated that these coral face more drastic declines of about 49% and 45% between year 2000
and 2013 respectively. This decline affects the biodiversity concerning over 1,000 species, besides the
mangrove vegetation in the coasts 42 .
Climate change impacts – Tourism
Tourism is one of the sectors that will be affected by climate change. In 2010, tourism accounted for 11 per
cent of Egypt’s GDP and provided employment for about 12 per cent of Egypt's workforce 43 . Almost 85
percent of visits to Egypt are for leisure and recreation that resulted in recreational expenditures on Red Sea
corals of US$472 million (2.6 billion EGP). In 2000, 75 per cent of tourism activity in Egypt was concentrated
on the Sinai and Red Sea for leisure and diving.
One of the climate change manifestations is that the rise in temperatures and the increased seawater
acidification would increase coral reefs’ bleaching.
According to a recent study, it is also expected an 80 per cent increase in coral reefs’ bleaching in the Red
Sea by 2060. One already noticed coral reefs growth decreased by 30 per cent in 2013 17 . In addition, losses
in internal tourism due to SLR in many cities such as Alexandria, Port-Said, Ras el Barr, Gamasa, and Baltiem
by 2025 44 . The SLR causes threat to archaeological sites in area like Abu Keer, Qaitbey Citadel, Selsela (Eastern
39
Ben Haj, S., Cebrian, D., Limam, A., Grimes, et al, "Vulnerability and impacts of climate change on marine and coastal biological
diversity in the Mediterranean, Arab Countries," UNEP, Tunis, 2009
40
"Natural Protectorates Description," Ministry of Environment (MoE), Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA), Available at:
www.eeaa.gov.eg/enus/topics/nature/protectorates/protectoratesdescription.aspx./ - Accessed on October 2015.
41
T. J. Done, "Phase shifts in coral reef communities and their ecological significance," Springer Link, Vol. 247, No. 1, pp. 121-132, November 1992.
42
H. El-Askary, S. H. Abd El-Mawla, J. Li, M. M. El-Hattab & M. El-Raey, "Change detection of coral reef habitat using Landsat-5 TM, Landsat 7 ETM+
and Landsat 8 OLI data in the Red Sea (Hurghada, Egypt)," International Journal of Remote Sensing, Vol. 35, No. 6, pp. 2327-2346, 2014.
43
"Egypt tourism numbers to fall less than feared," Reuters Africa, October 2009 - Available at:
af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFJOE59J0PG20091020?sp=true. Accessed on : July 2015.
44
"Egypt’s National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change And Disaster Risk Reduction," the Egyptian cabinet information and decision support
center, December 2011.
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