An Assessment of the Rangeland Vegetation on the Saiq Plateau, Jebel Akhdar, Oman

Michael D Robinson, Badriya Al Busaidi

Abstract


Rangeland vegetation of the Saiq Plateau, Sultanate of Oman was assessed at 14 sites using line-point intercepttransects. This research is the first to quantify variables relevant to the rangeland’s ecological condition and itsability to sustain a livestock industry. Canopy cover by perennial species was generally low (2.7 to 7.3%). Thedominant cover species were: a coarse grass (Cymbopogon sp.), a small thick-leafed shrub (Helianthemum lippii), a largespiny shrub (Sideroxylon muscatense), an aromatic prostrate perennial (Teucrium mascatense) and Dodonaea viscosa, achemically defended invasive shrub. More palatable grasses and forbs were rare and had very low coverage. Largeareas of bare, unprotected ground commonly occupied from one-third to over half of a 50-meter transect. Mostcanopy gaps between perennial plants were greater than 200 cm. Exposed bedrock covered a considerable area,perhaps one-third of the rangeland. Together, the variables indicate that most of the sites are badly degraded andat risk to increasing loss of soil and vegetation. We conclude that the range is overstocked, and this is supported bythe fact that many herders must buy costly supplemental feeds to provide sufficient energy and nutrients to theiranimals.

Keywords


Range Ecology, Jebel Akhdar, Grazing, Vegetation Cover

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