Arabian Peninsula coastal fog desert

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Arabian Peninsula coastal fog desert
Afrotropic
BiomeDeserts and xeric shrublands
Geography
Area82,900 km2 (32,000 sq mi)
Countries
Conservation
Conservation statuscritical/endangered
Tihama on the Red Sea near Khaukha in Yemen is part of this ecosystem

The Arabian Peninsula coastal fog desert, also known as the Southwestern Arabian coastal xeric scrub, is desert ecoregion on the southern coasts of the Arabian Peninsula, which experiences thick fogs where visibility may be reduced to 10 metres (33 ft). It is classed as an Afrotropical fog desert[1]

Location and description

This ecosystem exists on a strip along the western and eastern coasts of Arabia. It follows the coast of

Jiddat al Harasisi plateau and the Dhofar Mountains. From here it continues as a very narrow strip (only 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) wide) along the coast of Yemen and up the 50 kilometres (31 mi) wide the Tihamah plain along the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia. In Oman and Yemen moisture is provided by thick fogs coming off the ocean during the summer khareef
monsoon, while the hot Tihamah plain is moisturised by some rainfall and the generally high humidity of the Red Sea.

Flora and fauna

Although it rarely rains, the fog provides moisture sufficient to nurture a great deal of grassland, shrubs and thick woodland. There are over 60 local species of plant. This coastal strip is of particular importance because further inland where the fog does not have an influence, most of the Arabian Peninsula is desert.

Vegetation varies progressively away from the coast which features dense woodland of

Jabal Urays facing the sea is covered with Euphorbia balsamifera
shrubs.

The many mammals found here include the

Jebel Samhan
in the Dhofar mountains.

Threats and preservation

The main threat to this ecosystem is

Mocha, and the World Heritage Site of Zabid; and the city of Jizan
, the fruit basket of Saudi Arabia.

Protected areas in Oman include the controversial

Arabian Oryx Sanctuary where the reintroduction took place, and Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve established for the protection of the leopards. There are several Important Bird Areas on the coast of Yemen, but none are officially protected.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ World Wildlife Fund, ed. (2001). "Arabian Peninsula coastal fog desert". WildWorld Ecoregion Profile. National Geographic Society. Archived from the original on 2010-03-08.
  2. ^ "Arabian Peninsula coastal fog desert". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.

External links