Jump to main content
US EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Search
Search
Main menu
Environmental Topics
Laws & Regulations
About EPA
Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)
Contact Us
Print
Feedback
Export to File
Search:
This record has one attached file:
Add More Files
Attach File(s):
Display Name for File*:
Save
Citation
Tags
HERO ID
8770916
Reference Type
Book/Book Chapter
Title
Plants of Sabkha Ecosystems of the Arabian Peninsula
Author(s)
Ghazanfar, S; Boer, B; Al Khulaidi, A; El-Keblawy, A; Alateeqi, S
Year
2019
Book Title
SABKHA ECOSYSTEMS, VOL VI: ASIA/PACIFIC
Volume
49
Page Numbers
55-80
Language
English
DOI
10.1007/978-3-030-04417-6
Web of Science Id
WOS:000521297400008
URL
http://WOS:000521297400008
Exit
Abstract
Sabkhas are unique ecosystems that are highly saline and where specially adapted plants are able to grow, flower, and fruit. In general, saline environments are poor in species - for the Arabian Peninsula about 120 taxa are recorded as halophytes which constitute about 4% of the total flora of the Arabian Peninsula. Key halophytes of Arabia are nearly always perennial; predominant life-forms are somewhat succulent, semiwoody dwarf shrubs belonging to the families Amaranthaceae, Zygophyllaceae, and Plumbaginaceae and hemicryptophytes belonging to the Poaceae, Cyperaceae, and Juncaceae; annuals are exceptions. Coastal species are either obligate halophytes or salt-tolerant genera from unspecialized families, such as Sporobolus and Aeluropus (Poaceae), or salt-secreting species such as Avicennia (Acanthaceae) and Limonium (Plumbaginaceae). The submerged coastal vegetation, e.g., seagrasses, is one of the most important vegetation types of the Gulf coast and is of great importance to marine fauna. The north-south distribution of coastal species is more distinct on the Red Sea coast, with the border lying near Jeddah, than on the Persian Gulf coast where there is a broad transitional zone between Qatar and northern Oman. The east-west distribution of coastal species is not as distinct. The eastern elements are either restricted to the coasts around the Arabian Gulf or are Irano-Turanian species extending into the Gulf region. Several vicariant species groups of halophytes are represented in the Arabian Peninsula. Halophytes have developed strategies for seed germination such as high germination levels and fast germination speed. These traits are found in the sabkha plants of the Arabian Peninsula. Some halophytes have been investigated for their potential for phytoremediation in their ability to survive weathered oil-contaminated soils. They have been found to have a set of micoorganisms around their root system that are related to the degradation of oil in contaminated soils. Sabkha ecosystems are being degraded and altered throughout the Gulf countries as they appear to be nonproductive. Over the last two decades, there has been a growing concern in protecting and restoring mangroves, and programs do to so have seen promising results. But, on the whole, coastal and inland sabkhas are neglected, and these unique ecosystems require urgent protection.
Keywords
Annual; Arabia; Halophytes; Life-form; Perrenial; Sabkha; INFLUENCING SEED-GERMINATION; RED-SEA; AVICENNIA-MARINA; PETROLEUM-HYDROCARBONS; HALOPEPLIS-PERFOLIATA; POPULATION-STRUCTURE; COASTAL VEGETATION; ANABASIS-SETIFERA; SALT-MARSH; ABU-DHABI
Editor(s)
Hameed, A
Home
Learn about HERO
Using HERO
Search HERO
Projects in HERO
Risk Assessment
Transparency & Integrity