Ecology of inland sand dunes “nafuds” as a hyper-arid habitat, Saudi Arabia: Floristic and plant associations diversity

Abstract

Sand seas of Saudi Arabia cover about one-third of the Arabian Peninsula and are still poorly explored in scientific literature. This study aimed to address the floristic structure and association diversity of the inland sand seas in central Saudi Arabia after 20 years of protection. Twenty-three relevés were selected in Nafud Al-Urayq reserve to cover different sandy dune variations. These relevés are subjected to floristic and multivariate analysis of classification with TWINSPAN and ordination with DECORANA & CANOCO techniques. One hundred thirty-five species belonging to 108 genera in 37 families have been recorded. Annual and perennial species are equally represented. Four vegetation groups (i.e., plant associations) are identified as the following: VG I ( Haloxylon salicornicum - Lycium shawii - Acacia raddiana ), VG II ( Calligonum comosum - Tetraena propinqua ), VG III ( Haloxylon persicum - Haloxylon salicornicum - Stipagrostis drarii ), and VG IV ( Pulicaria undulata - Citrullus colocynthis ). The association of VG I inhabited in the wadi and non-dune or shallow sand habitat had the high species diversity indices (i.e., total species, species richness, species evenness and Shannon index). In contrast, the association of VG II inhabited hyper-arid and salinized habitat and had low species diversity indices. These associations are discussed and illustrated in accordance with competition and adaptation. The advantages of inland sand dune vegetation therefore apply specifically to habitat management and the conservation of plants. These studies extend the advantages of succession of sand dunes and show that rising vegetative diversity is consistent with the combat of desertification.

Do Spatially Structured Soil Variables Influence the Plant Diversity in Tabuk Arid Region, Saudi Arabia?

“…Arid and semiarid regions in Saudi Arabia harbours diversity of annual and perennial plant species due to unique combinations of habitats and ecosystems [1][2][3][40][41][42][43]. In this study, 163 species belong to 124 genera, and 41 families were reported from the 5 sites in Tabuk region.…”

“…This number of species is higher compared with the earlier study conducted by Al-Mutairi et al [42], who reported a total of 96 species. However, 135 plant species were reported in the hyper-arid environment of "nafuds" sand dunes in the middle of Saudi Arabia [43]. In desert-wetland, Galal et al [3] reported 142 species in Taif, southwestern region of Saudi Arabia.…”

Evaluation of Climatic and Anthropogenic Impacts on Phytosociological Aspects and Conservation Status of Native Flora in One of Protected and Unprotected Habitats of Cholistan Desert, Pakistan

“…grazing while public areas have less number of herbs and grasses [57,58]. Protected site of Derawar region of Cholistan Desert have dominant families i.e.…”

Ecophysiological studies of Citrullus colocynthis in response to spatial and seasonal changes in Wadi Al-Akhder, Tabuk Region, Saudi Arabia

“…Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is known for its many habitats and climatic regimes, including valleys, mountains, rocky deserts, sand dunes, plateaus, plains, and salt pans (El-Sheikh et al 2021). There are approximately 2,290 species of plants in the KSA, of which 9 are Gymnosperms and 27 are Pteridophytes.…”