Geography and ecology
The presentation below, 'Principles of ecology applied to the desert environment', was given by J. Henrot to engineers of the Petroleum Development Oman as part of the course 'Operating in Sensitive Environments' at the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary, in Jaluni, on 2-4 December 2005.
Geography of North and Central Oman
210 200 km2 (68% of the total area of the Sultanate of Oman)
Borders: coastline, UAE, Saudi Arabia and the Dhofar region of Oman
Administrative divisions: Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Ad Dahirah, Masqat (Muscat), Musandam, Al Buraimi
Altitude: 0 to 2980 m (Jabal Shams)
Average rainfall per year: 24 mm (Fahud- 170 m alt.) to 350 mm (Saiq-1755 m alt.).
The Central desert receives precipitation from fog.
Desert ecology
Plants distribution in the desert landscape
Determined by:
Factors limiting plant growth: lack of water, poor soils and high soil salinity.
Harshness factors: high insolation and wind.
Plants adaptations to the desert
Plant adaptations to the desert:
Water conservation: thorns, small leaves, divided leaves, hairs on leaves and stems, transpiration at night and reverse transpiration, succulence.
Life forms: mostly subshrubs with annual dieback and short-lived annuals (opportunisic, short life cycle from flower to seed), few trees.
Long seed dormancy.
Flowering characteristics: opportunistic flowering (all year round) and short flowering period; flowers small, white, green or yellow, frequently wind pollinated or self-pollination; night flowering (less evapotranspiration and animals nocturnal).
Very deep-rooted perennials or shallow-rooted annuals.
Animal adaptations to the desert
Threats to the desert ecological balance
