الآثار البيئية لنبات الغاف البحري : ولاية الخابورة-سلطنة عمان دراسة حالة

Abstract EN

Prosopis juliflora, originally an indigenous plant of South America, is one of the most invasive plants that threats the biological diversity in arid and semi-arid regions.

It was introduced in the Sultanate of Oman in the seventies of the twentieth century for the purposes of landscaping, road hedges and combating desertification.

Since then, Prosopis julifora swiftly spread in many areas.

This drove the community to regard it as a harmful plant which should be eradicated.

This study aims to examine the spread of Prosopis juliflora with special focus on assessing its positive and negative aspects on the environment.

The study bases on Wilayat AL-Khabourah as one example of the sites affected in the Sultanate of Oman.

In addition, the study endeavors to anticipate the future spread of Prosopis juliflora and suggest appropriate ways to manage it as a natural resource.

The method of research relies mainly on field survey and cartographic representation in addition to the analysis of a structured questionnaire.

which was statistically analyzed and evaluated, The most important result is that the favorite sites for the spread of Prosopis juliflora are abandoned farms, along streams and valleys and road sides, around sea inlets, uninhabited areas, agricultural land and residential areas.

One of the main recommendations is that the unsuccessful attempts of eradication and the associated high costs should drive the concerned authorities to seek, instead, ways to better manage the plant and use it as a natural wood resource.