Agro-ecological landuse transformation in oasis systems of Al Jabal Al Akhdar, northern Oman

Abstract

The millenia-old oasis systems in the Western Hajar Mountains of Northern Oman have received widespread attention as models of sustainable irrigated agriculture in hyperarid Arabia. Given Oman’s rampant urbanization, growing scarcity of water and skilled labour, we quantified chances in water use, land use, and land cover between 2007 and 2018 using a rare time-series approach of detailed GIS-based crop mapping. Results from satellite image analysis and comprehensive ground truthing showed that urban areas grew from 206 ha in 2009 to 230 ha in 2014 and 252 ha in 2018. Throughout this decade, irrigated areas in backyards and front-house gardens of the town, planted largely to tree crops and vegetables, increased from 13.5 to 23.3 ha. Between 2007 and 2018 the actively used area of the studied oasis systems declined by 2.0% and the share of perennial crops without underplanting by 5.1%, while land under agroforestry increased by 2.1% and fallow land by 3.5%. Rising water demand of the sprawling town Sayh Qatanah led to terraces of Al ‘Ayn and Ash Sharayjah now being partly irrigated with treated wastewater which accelerated the abandonment of the old settlement structures. The labour- and water use efficiency-driven transformation of the Al Jabal Al Akhdar oasis agriculture into increasingly market-oriented landuse systems questions its function as example of sustainable, bio-cultural heritage of Arabia.

Spatio-temporal patterns of oasis dynamics in China’s drylands between 1987 and 2017

“…Previous studies on oases in dryland or desert regions on a global scale (e.g. West Asia, North Africa, etc) have also evidenced a general trade-off between oasis development and environmental security (Mekki et al 2013, Kimura et al 2020, Buerkert et al 2021, Zemni et al 2022, and these studies also provide valuable experience in balancing the development of oasis areas and environmental safety (e.g. regulation of water abstraction, optimize water supply and drainage systems and diversification of income sources).…”

Showcasing the multifaceted aspects of agricultural transformation: The example of mountain oases in Oman

“…With its spectacular views on rugged rocky ranges and picturesque villages with ancient dry-stone walled terraces known as “Hanging Gardens”, it attracts a yearly increasing number of regional and international tourists [ 21 , 22 ]. The visitors enjoy luxury hotels, splendid hiking opportunities, well-equipped picnic grounds on different mountain plateaus, and a pleasant highland climate amidst a hot desert region [ 23 ]. Of particular attraction is the Sayq Plateau that towers the region [ 24 ].…”

“…Like other high nature-value farmlands in desertic [ 28 ] and mountainous regions [ 13 ], the agricultural systems on Al Jabal Al Akhdar (henceforth abbreviated “Jabal Akhdar”) are currently experiencing great pressure through water scarcity [ 23 ] in combination with climate change effects [ 29 , 30 ], rural-to-urban migration [ 1 , 28 ], globalization of inhabitants’ lifestyles, and massive influx of tourists [ 22 ] as well as biodiversity loss of field flora [ 5 ]. Under similar conditions, such pressures either lead to an intensification and specialisation of agricultural systems or to their abandonment [ 13 ].…”

“…A recent analysis of land-use changes in Wadi Muyadin settlements showed that cropland abandonment grew by 3.5% during the period 2007–2018, while cement-walled terraces were built to secure cultivated areas. Although the occurrence of cultivated plant species remained unchanged, many species declined in abundance, whereas a few perennial cash crops with low water requirements increased [ 23 ]. These land-use data and crop species inventories point to a modernisation of oasis agriculture on Jabal Akhdar, which merits corroboration by household data in order to comprehend the drivers, trajectories, and future implications of change from farmers’ responses [ 13 ] and compare them to transition processes of oases systems and high nature-value farmlands in other regions.…”

“…Therefore, an interview-based study accompanied the 2007–2018 land-use change analysis along Wadi Muaydin [ 23 ] to record farmers’ accounts of their agricultural activities and learn about their aspirations. Key areas of interest were (i) households’ socio-economic situation, (ii) their crop and livestock management practices including use of agricultural labour, (iii) processing and marketing of agricultural products, and (iv) expectations concerning the future of agriculture at household level.…”