Articles
Sowing sustainability: native flora as catalysts for sustainable landscapes in Oman
Article number
1455_6
Pages
51 – 58
Language
English
Abstract
Oman’s native flora biodiversity is a testament to the intricate interplay between evolutionary processes and the Sultanate’s diverse ecological climates, which range from the hyper-arid deserts of the Empty Quarter to the cloud forest of Dhofar Mountains and the rugged, arid Al Hajar range.
Over millennia, climatic fluctuations, including periods of extreme aridity and intermittent humid phases, have driven the evolution of a unique flora characterized by high endemism and specialized adaptive traits.
Native species, such as Termanlia dhofarica, Dracaena serrulata, Boswellia sacra, and Euphorbia larica exhibit xerophytic adaptations, including succulence, reduced leaf surfaces, and deep root systems, reflecting selective pressures to conserve water and tolerate saline or nutrient-poor soils.
The isolation of Oman’s mountain refugia, such as Jebel Shams and Jebel Al Qara, has further facilitated speciation and genetic diversification, enabling flora to persist through climatic shifts.
These adaptations not only highlight the resilience of Omani flora to climate variability over-millennia but also provide critical insights into flora responses to prevailing environmental stressors, positioning Oman as a natural laboratory for studying ecological and evolutionary dynamics in arid landscapes.
Over millennia, climatic fluctuations, including periods of extreme aridity and intermittent humid phases, have driven the evolution of a unique flora characterized by high endemism and specialized adaptive traits.
Native species, such as Termanlia dhofarica, Dracaena serrulata, Boswellia sacra, and Euphorbia larica exhibit xerophytic adaptations, including succulence, reduced leaf surfaces, and deep root systems, reflecting selective pressures to conserve water and tolerate saline or nutrient-poor soils.
The isolation of Oman’s mountain refugia, such as Jebel Shams and Jebel Al Qara, has further facilitated speciation and genetic diversification, enabling flora to persist through climatic shifts.
These adaptations not only highlight the resilience of Omani flora to climate variability over-millennia but also provide critical insights into flora responses to prevailing environmental stressors, positioning Oman as a natural laboratory for studying ecological and evolutionary dynamics in arid landscapes.
Authors
A.A. Hosni, K.A. Farsi
Keywords
botanic garden, sustainability, climate change, abiotic stress
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