Ecological studies on sand dunes vegetation in al-kharj region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract EN

Sand formations of the Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia, which occupy more than a quarter of its area, comprise four major sand seas in addition to isolated sandy areas.

Little attention has been given to their vegetation and ecology.

This study is based on a survey of the sand dune vegetation in the AI-Kharj area, IOG-km south east of Riyadh.

Ten main plant communities are recognized in this arid region.

These include communities that are dominated by two tufted perennial grasses Stipagrostis plumose, Pentium turgid and one sedge Cyprus conglomerates.

Five communities are dominated by perennial shrubs and under shrubs, Haloxylon salicornicum, Heliotropism didymium, Artemisia monospermous, Diptergium glaucoma, Moltkiopsis ciliate and two communities dominated by herbaceous annuals species, (Eremobium aegyptiacum and Nerada procumbent).

The floristic composition is very restricted to sixty-two species of which ten are important in the vegetation.

Ecological factors, which might contribute to the structure, composition and pattern of these communities, are discussed.