Important Plant Areas in the Arabian Peninsula: 1. Jabal Qaraqir

Abstract

Jabal Qaraqir in Saudi Arabia is the first site to be assessed for the Important Plant Area (IPA) programme in the Arabian Peninsula. This paper describes the geology, fauna and flora of the Qaraqir site and provides the first botanical checklist of the area. It designates the locality as an IPA due to the quality of the wadi vegetation and the presence of endemic and biogeographically relictual species. As well as assessments, this study also touches on the planning stage of conservation activity. Socio-economic issues and threats to the conservation of Qaraqir are discussed and suggestions for conservation action are provided.

Floristic diversity and vegetation structure of Al-Dissah area northwestern Saudi Arabia

“…Similarly, the dominance of Saharo -Arbian and Sudanian elements was also reported in Al Soada region southwestern Saudi Arabia (Seraj et al, 2014). The area of the present study is located in north -west Saudi Arabia lies within the Nubo-Sindian Province which is a part of the Sudanian Region (Zohary, 1973) or Nubo-Sindian local centre of endemism, a subzone of the Saharo-Sindian regional zone (W hite and Leonard, 1991;Llewellyn et al, 2010). This subzone is typified by a xerotropical vegetation of desert habitats requiring high temperatures and low rainfall and is considered of palaeotropical origin.…”

“…These are both directly threatened by increased agriculture and road building in the area. As a result of the field studies carried out by Llewellyn et al (2010), they propose that Dolichorhynchus arabicus should be categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. They also recommended some basic conservation measures for this species, as well as the further research required to implement a conservation action plan.…”

In-Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Herbal Extracts From Tabuk Region (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) Against Nosomial Pathogens: A Preliminary Study

“…There are a number of herbal medicines used by physicians; such as quinine, opium, digitalis and aspirin. In its report, WHO has reported that physicians in United States are using 25% of modern drugs extracted from plants (Llewellyn et al, 2010). Plant extracts are the most promising source of such compounds and Arab world has been known for its medicinal herbs.…”

“…The database search on world-wide-web showed Tabuk region of Saudi Arabia to be rich in diverse flora (Llewellyn et al, 2010). Its floral diversity extends over a number of regions including; the Jabal Lauz of Hijaz Mountains, the Great Nafud and Ar'ar regions, Deesa, and Harrat-ar-Raha nature reserve, which are distributed as wadis, hills, and plains.…”

“…Its floral diversity extends over a number of regions including; the Jabal Lauz of Hijaz Mountains, the Great Nafud and Ar'ar regions, Deesa, and Harrat-ar-Raha nature reserve, which are distributed as wadis, hills, and plains. According to Llewellyn et al (2010), pharmaceutical companies have launched an important plant area (IPA) in the Arabian Peninsula. The vegetation of Tabuk region is mainly composed of chinopods along with other xerophytic vegetation.…”