Relationships between landforms, soil characteristics and dominant xerophytes in the hyper-arid northern United Arab Emirates

El‐Keblawy, Ali; Abdelfattah, Mahmoud A.; Khedr, Abdel‐Hamid A.

doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2015.02.008

Cited by 45 publications

(29 citation statements)

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“…In addition, grazing exclusion might result in slowing down the rates of carbon and nitrogen cycling and reduction of soil C stocks (Hafner et al , ; Brevik et al , ). In the arid deserts of the Arabian Gulf region, continuous overgrazing of the fragile rangelands has accelerated soil erosion that resulted in loss of vegetation, which in turn accelerated desertification (Halwagy et al , ; Dean et al , ; Kassas, ; El‐Keblawy, ; El‐Keblawy et al , ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Fencing and Irrigation on Species Composition and Diversity of Desert Plant Communities in the United Arab Emirates

El‐Keblawy

2016

Land Degrad Dev

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Grazing and water are among the most important factors influencing community structure and productivity in natural rangelands. Little is known about the independent effects of grazing and water and their interaction on plant community structure and productivity in rangelands of the arid Arab Gulf deserts. Paired sampling plots were used to compare plant species composition, diversity and plant abundances and sizes inside and outside 14‐month irrigated and 30‐month non‐irrigated exclosures constructed during dry years on sandy dunes of the arid Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. The results showed that the negative impacts of high grazing pressures on plant productivity (plant sizes and abundances) and diversity were stronger in the non‐irrigated sites. Both irrigation (IR) and protection (PR) enhanced plant diversity and productivity of the overgrazed degraded Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. The combined effects of PR and IR resulted in the occurrence of a total of 22 species inside the irrigated exclosures; however, none of them appeared in the irrigated grazed sites. Eighteen palatable species occurred inside, but not outside, the irrigated exclosures. Chamaephytes, which are more sensitive to human and animal disturbances, recovered more than other life forms under PR and IR. Dipterygium glaucum showed a great potential to be used for restoration projects under water IR in the Arab Gulf deserts. It is concluded that grazing and water independently affected plant diversity and productivity, but the relative role of grazing is more important than that of water in conserving desert plants, especially the palatable ones. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Fencing and Irrigation on Species Composition and Diversity of Desert Plant Communities in the United Arab Emirates

El‐Keblawy

2016

Land Degrad Dev

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“…Fewer species can adapt the life on unstable loose sand dunes of the arid deserts (El‐Keblawy et al, ; Qian et al, ; Rodriguez et al, ). Five species of the studied grasses are very dominant on sand dunes, which are usually exposed to repeated disturbance during windy days and characterized by infertile dry soil surface, as a result of the high infiltration rate of rainfalls.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Land degradation, caused by overgrazing and other inappropriate land uses, has been recognized as one of the major threats to ecosystem services and functioning, especially in arid or semi‐arid ecosystems (Qian et al, , ). Continuous overgrazing in the fragile rangelands of the Arab Gulf region has accelerated soil erosion that resulted in loss of vegetation, which in turn accelerated desertification (Halwagy et al, ; Dean et al, ; Kassas, ; El‐Keblawy et al, ; El‐Keblawy, ). Overgrazing affects more than 90% of the land of the Arabian Peninsula, 44% of which is severely or very severely degraded (Ferguson et al, ; Shaltout et al, ; El‐Keblawy et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Overgrazing affects more than 90% of the land of the Arabian Peninsula, 44% of which is severely or very severely degraded (Ferguson et al, ; Shaltout et al, ; El‐Keblawy et al, ). In the Arabian deserts, few shrubs and grasses can tolerate the infertile loose sandy habitats that are exposed to wind erosion (Maestre & Escudero, ; El‐Keblawy et al, ; El‐Keblawy, ). Rehabilitation of such degraded land could happen through revegetation programmes by using native plants.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Perennial grasses represent a significant component in the rangelands of the Arabian deserts (El‐Keblawy, ; El‐Keblawy et al, , , ). Perennial grasses could grow within few days after any rain event, even during hot summers (El‐Keblawy et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Light and Temperature Requirements during Germination of Potential Perennial Grasses for Rehabilitation of Degraded Sandy Arabian Deserts

El‐Keblawy

2017

Land Degrad Dev

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Few plants can tolerate the loose sandy‐soils of the arid deserts. Selection of native plants that could be used in rehabilitation of degraded deserts necessitates information about their seed dormancy and germination requirements. This study assessed the effects of light and temperature requirements during germination for eight common perennial grasses that have the potential to rehabilitate the arid Arabian deserts. The selected grasses vary considerably in seed mass. Germination of clonally propagated grasses (six species) was significantly greater, but slower, than that of two non‐clonal grasses. Four of these six species (Lasiurus scindicus, Panicum turgidum, Aeluropus lagopoides and Halopyrum mucronatum) produce larger seeds and attained greater germination in both light and darkness at a wide range of temperatures. However, the other two (Centropodia forsskaolii and Coelachyrum piercei) produce medium‐sized seeds with higher dormancy. Smaller seeds of Sporobolus arabicus were positively photoblastic at all temperatures, but those of Sporobolus spicatus were neutrally photoblastic at lower temperatures and positively photoblastic at higher temperatures. There was a significant negative relationship between seed mass and relative light germination, indicating that small seeds require more light during germination. It is recommended to use seeds of the six clonal grasses for restoration of degraded arid deserts. The ability of these grasses to germinate in different light and temperature regimes indicates their ability to germinate at any time of the year, even when seeds are buried. The light and temperature requirements of the different grasses are explained in the light of their adaptation and distribution in natural habitats. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Contribution of Landform Analysis to the Study of Vegetation in Arid Zones (Cerro Zonda, San Juan, Argentina)

Flores

Ocaña

Rodríguez

2021

Advances in Geomorphology and Quaternary Studies in Argentina

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Relationships between landforms, soil characteristics and dominant xerophytes in the hyper-arid northern United Arab Emirates

Cited by 45 publications

References 51 publications

Impact of Fencing and Irrigation on Species Composition and Diversity of Desert Plant Communities in the United Arab Emirates

Impact of Fencing and Irrigation on Species Composition and Diversity of Desert Plant Communities in the United Arab Emirates

Light and Temperature Requirements during Germination of Potential Perennial Grasses for Rehabilitation of Degraded Sandy Arabian Deserts

Contribution of Landform Analysis to the Study of Vegetation in Arid Zones (Cerro Zonda, San Juan, Argentina)

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