Rhanterium Epapposum Research Articles

Chemical components and antioxidant potential of essential oil of Rhanterium epapposum growing in sandy habitat in Saudi Arabia: In silico study on cytochrome P450 1A1 and xanthine oxidase

Rhanterium epapposum Oliv. (Family: Asteraceae) is a common plant in Saudi Arabia, possessing a variety of traditional uses. The current targets were studying the comparative chemical profile and antioxidant of the essential oil (EO) of R. epapposum collected from a sandy habitat at Qareenah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The EO profiling was constructed via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and GC-flame ionization detection (GC-FID). Forty-eight compounds were found, including monoterpenes (hydrocarbons 3.25% and oxygenated 48.64%), sesquiterpenes (hydrocarbons 12.64 % and oxygenated 32.38%), which are the backbone of the oil along with a minor of other non-terpenoid compounds (1.31%). Linalool (18.02%), α-eudesmol (11.98%), trans-sesquisabinene hydrate (11.63%), aromadendrene oxide-(1) (7.68%), nerol (6.88%), and α-terpineol (5.01%) were identified as the dominant components. The EO was evaluated for its antioxidant activity using in vitro DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods. The results demonstrated that R. epapposum EO possesses a dosage-dependent ability for antioxidant scavenging activity as per all three techniques. This EO exhibited IC50 values of 517.59, 350.24, and 713.72 μg/mL for the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP, respectively, through the comparison with the ascorbic acid with respective values of 36.10, 26.12, and 44.58 μg/mL. The main compounds were subjected to docking analysis on cytochrome P450 1A1 and xanthine oxidase. All evaluated compounds exhibited good binding affinities especially α-eudesmol and linalool for both enzymes, respectively. The current research confirmed the potent free radical scavenging properties of R. epapposum EO. More research on the antioxidant content of this oil and/or its primary constituents in pure form on the two enzymes, cytochrome P450 1A1 and xanthine oxidase, is proposed to develop a better understanding of the oxidative action routes in vivo and in vitro.

Using native plants as sustainable solution for controlling aeolian activities

Kuwait is experimenting with the restoration of severely degraded terrestrial regions in its northern region, center for the development of wildlife habitats. The re-implantation and reproduction of native plants project, which will run from June 2003 to May 2019, is the main part of the restoration of the degraded zones. The most effective plants for reducing aeolian mobile sediments were highlighted, along with the most endangered plant species in the area, including Lycium shawii, Haloxylon salicornicum, Rhanterium epapposum, Panicum turgidum and, Calligonum polygonoides. The irrigation of these plants was kept up for around one to two years using brackish water from a productive well that produced 20 to 26 m3 per hour (TDS=4, 900 ml/l) and was hydrogen sulfide-free. Maximum mobile aeolian sediments were captured in Nitraria, Haloxylon, Tamarix, Lycium, Panicum, and Citrullus at 11.17, 6.29, 6.09, 5.77, 5.60, and 5.51m3, respectively. Their relative economic values were 14.74, 8.3, 8.04, 7.62, 7.39 and. 7.27 $, making them the most effective controls for aeolian processes in both current and upcoming applications.

Studying the Bioactive Components and Phytochemicals of the Methanol Extract of Rhanterium epapposum Oliv.

Rhanterium epapposum Oliv. (locally known as Al-Arfaj) belongs to the family Asteraceae. This study was designed to discover the bioactive components and phytochemicals of the methanol extract of the aerial parts of Rhanterium epapposum, using Agilent Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), while the mass spectra of the compounds found in the extract matched with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST08 L). GC-MS analysis of the methanol extract of Rhanterium epapposum aerial parts showed presence of sixteen compounds. The major compounds among these were 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, (Z, Z, Z)- (9.89), n-hexadecenoic acid (8.44), 7-hydroxy-6-methoxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (6.60), benzene propanoic acid, β-amino-4-methoxy- (6.12), 1.4-isopropyl-1,6-dimethyl-1,2,3,4,4 a,7,8,8a-octahedron-1-naphthalenol (6.00), 1-dodecanol, 3,7,11-trimethyl- (5.64), and 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z, Z)- (4.84), whereas the minor compounds were 9-Octadecenoic acid, (2-phenyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl ester, trans- (3.63), Butanoic acid (2.93), Stigmasterol (2.92), 2-Naphthalenemethanol (2.66), (2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohex-1-phenylmethanesulfonyl)benzene (2.45), 2-(Ethylenedioxy) ethylamine, N-methyl-N-[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]- (2.00), 1-Heptatriacotanol (1.69), Ocimene (1.59), and β-Sitosterol (1.25). Furthermore, the study was extended to determine the phytochemicals in the methanol extract of Rhanterium epapposum, which indicated the positive presence of saponins, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds. Moreover, quantitative analysis revealed the presence of high content of flavonoids, total phenolic, and tannins. This study outcome suggests a podium of using Rhanterium epapposum aerial parts as a herbal remedy for various diseases especially cancers, hypertension, and diabetes.

Planting methods influence revegetation success of native species in an arid environment

In Kuwait, declining native vegetation cover due to prevailing arid conditions and severe anthropogenic disturbances necessitated undertaking revegetation programs. Seed sowing and outplanting of nursery-grown seedlings are the two major plant establishment methods commonly used all around the world. However, the success of plant establishment methods may vary between the species as well as between the methods. Therefore, we compared the effect of sowing of primed or non-primed seeds and outplanting of nursery-grown seedlings on field performance of four dominant native desert species of Kuwait: Vachellia pachyceras, Rhanterium epapposum, Farsetia aegyptia, and Haloxylon salicornicum for 22 months to find the best method for revegetation in arid conditions. A significant species and treatment interaction effect was observed in all plant parameters except plot volume index. Direct sowing of hydro-primed seeds appeared to be the most effective method for establishment and growth of V. pachyceras. In contrast, outplanting of nursery-grown seedlings showed better performance under the field conditions in H. salicornicum and F. aegyptia. These results suggest that direct sowing of primed seeds can also be used effectively along with seedling outplanting for the revegetation of arid lands.

Effects of Salt Stress on Growth, Proline and Mineral Content in Native Desert Species

Implementing large-scale restoration programs requires in-depth understanding about the salinity tolerance of native species, especially in the Arabian Peninsula where salinity is one of the most serious problems. Seedlings of four native species, namely Vachillea pachyceras, Haloxylon salicornicum, Rhanterium epapposum, and Farsetia aegyptia, were subjected to different salinity treatments (1.6 (control), 3, 5, 7, and 10 dS/m). Survival, growth performance, biomass and proline accumulation were assessed after six months of salinity exposure. Different mineral concentrations in the shoot and root tissues were assessed before and after the salinity exposure. Our results showed that salinity influenced the growth parameters, enhanced proline accumulation and changed the contents of essential elements. However, the effects of salinity stress on the growth and other parameters were largely species-specific. Proline accumulation increased with an increase in the salinity level in all the species. However, the mineral content in the root and shoot tissues showed variation, depending on the species and the level of salinity stress. Overall. H. salicornicum appeared to be the most tolerant species, as its seedling survival (100% at EC 10), and root and shoot biomass were impacted minimally; meanwhile, F. aegyptia (16.7% seedling survival at EC 10) appeared to be highly sensitive to the salinity. Data generated from this study will be helpful in screening the suitable species according to their salinity tolerance in salt-affected areas.

A Preliminary Assessment of Utilizing Solid Waste Fractions as an Agricultural Growth Medium in Arid Soils

The fast-paced and globalized industrial/population growth has generated a vast consumerism-based culture, resulting in the rapid increase in municipal solid waste generation. Considering the case of Kuwait, the collection and disposal of waste has become a major economic and health issue for both the general public and the Kuwaiti government. Addressing and improving current waste disposal challenges, through utilizing (or recovering) basic materials from waste, will benefit society in terms of reductions in costs, pollution and associated negative health impact. The objective of this study was to assess the re-utilization prospects of waste materials (paper, cardboard and cotton) as a substrate for plant growth, consequently serving as a growing medium material, apart from naturally occurring soil. This investigation was conducted across two land plots in the Wafra region, located in Southern Kuwait. The plots were planted with Rhanterium epapposum and Festuca rubra seeds. Temperature, humidity and growth rates were measured during this study. Study results indicated that chemical composition of the growth medium is suitable for local conditions. Furthermore, the soil plot with added growth medium was found to retain moisture for prolonged periods in comparison to the plot lacking in growth medium. Field studies on grass germination and growth rates highlighted that waste-derived substrate is favorable to their development and adaptation within challenging environmental conditions. This investigation can play an important part for introducing and developing the concept of a circular economy within Kuwait, with potential to improve waste management within the country.

Ecological study on native plant diversity in Kuwait desert ecosystem

The scarcity and irregularity of rainfall and the prevalence of strong northwesterly winds in Kuwait have a significant influence on the stability of the fragile ecosystem. The Aeolian landforms constitute most of the landscapes in Kuwait. Naturally grown native shrubs and trees can provide potential shelter to the soil surface in desert areas. To identify the characteristics of dominant perennial plant species, sediments of desert and saline (sabkhas) nabkha formed around different types of desert and halophytes plants are studied. Haloxylon salicornicum, Nitraria retusa, Cyperus conglomerates, Panicum turgidum, Rhanterium epapposum, Calligonum polygonoides, Stipagrostis plumosa Lycium shawii, Astragalus spinosus, Convolvolus oxyphyllus, Tamarix aucheriana, Halocnemum strobilaceum, and Citrullus colocynthis are landmarks characterizing the Arabian deserts and coastal salt marshes. The analyses of soil samples around the native plants showed that each native plants has its characteristics. The sediments of desert nabkhas differ from coastal nabkhas (Nitraria sp., Halocnemum sp., and Tamarix sp.). The sediments of coastal nabkha were characterized by lower pH, higher moisture content, total dissolved salts, and conductivity levels than desert nabkhas. Maximum mobile sediments were trapped by N. retusa, T. aucheriana, H. salicornicum, C. colocynthis, and L. shawii because of their ability to develop wider and longer nabkhas than other native plants. The vegetated dunes can trap maximum mobile sediments from 0.5 to 10.5 tons thus cost-saving per plant is estimated to be from 0.3 to 7.3 USD.

Molecular Assessment of Genetic Diversity and Genetic Structure of Rhanterium epapposum Oliv. in Scarce Populations in Some Regions of Western Saudi Arabia.

Rhanterium epapposum Oliv. is a perennial medicinal shrub growing mainly in desert habitats in the Arabian Peninsula. In western Saudi Arabia, the remaining few populations of this species are exposed to many threats, including overcutting, overgrazing, and recently, increasing human activities. These threats are predicted to be exacerbated by the advancement of aridification caused by climate change. The conservation and recovering of the diminished populations of R. epapposum necessitate measurement of their genetic diversity and genetic differentiation. To accomplish this objective, we tested 150 simple sequence repeat (SSR) primer pairs, with which 40 polymorphic loci were identified. These polymorphic loci were used to determine the population genetics of 540 plant accessions sampled from a total of 45 populations of R. epapposum located in 8 sites in western Saudi Arabia: Wadi Khurieba, Wadi Al Khamas, Gebel Al Twaal, Al Asaafer, Wadi ALHamda, Wadi Al Nassayeif, Wadi Qaraba, Wadi Kuliayah, and Wadi Dahban. Low levels of genetic diversity were found in all populations (the values of the PPL ranged between 52.5 and 15) along with a declined value of HT (0.123) and a considerable inbreeding value (F = 0.942), which confirmed a noticeable shortage of heterozygotes. High genetic differentiation among the populations and a low value of gene flow are indicative of high isolation among the R. epapposum populations, which has caused a severe deficiency in gene migration. The data obtained herein inspire several recommendations for conservation and retrieval of the existing populations, including seed banks, restoration of diminished populations, and monitoring and prevention of cutting and grazing activities at threatened sites. All of these measures are urgently required to avoid imminent extinction.

Plant communities and potential native phytoremediator species in petroleum hydrocarbon‐polluted desert systems

AbstractThis paper reports on the recovery of desert plant communities after 20 years of oil‐derived hydrocarbon contamination in desert habitats of Kuwait, caused by the First Gulf War (1990–1991). The hypothesis that certain native desert plant species can tolerate weathered oil‐polluted soils and can potentially function as bioindicators and phytoremediator species for oil‐polluted soil was tested. A field survey of 200 quadrat sampling plots at seven hydrocarbon‐contaminated and unpolluted desert areas in Kuwait was performed and recorded 42 plant species, with Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq.) Bunge ex Boiss., Cyperus conglomeratus Rottb., and Rhanterium epapposum Oliv. as the dominant species. Analysis of plant tissues indicated plant uptake and accumulation of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), depending on plant species and specific PAH compounds. Total PAHs in plant tissues in the most contaminated sites were over 200 μg kg−1. H. salicornicum could develop in both oil‐contaminated soil and uncontaminated soil although their biomass was about 16.7% smaller than usual. However, the plants appeared green and healthy in both sites, and showed no overt stress. The results suggest that some desert plant communities can recover after severe oil pollution and that H. salicornicum may serve as a phytoremediator of oil‐contaminated desert soils. Our results also demonstrated that some desert plant communities could be cultivated in oil fields to reduce hydrocarbon contamination and provide support to other ecosystem services through improving soil quality and biodiversity.

Rhanterium epapposum

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Larvicidal Efficacy of Leaf Extracts of Rhanterium epapposum Oliv. Against Dengue Fever Mosquito Vector Larvae, Aedes aegypti L., (Diptera: Culicidae)

Dengue fever, transmitted by Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae), is the most important disease affecting human health and economy in the western part of Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to investigate the larvicidal activities of ethanolic, acetonic and aqueous extracts prepared from the leaves of Arfaj (Rhanterium epapposum Oliv.) against dengue fever mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti, under laboratory conditions. The larvicidal potency of ethanolic extract at high concentration of 50000 ppm was up to 98% after 24 h exposure. In contrast, acetonic and aqueous extracts caused 72 and 30% larval mortality, respectively, at the same concentration and exposure time. After 48 h exposure, the mortalities increased by 99, 86 and 35%, respectively, for ethanolic, acetonic and aqueous extracts. This study showed that the ethanolic extract had a higher larvicidal effect with lower LC50 value (168.15 ppm), followed by acetone (847.75 ppm) and aqueous (2278.22 ppm) extracts after 24 h exposure. Further studies are needed to isolate and identify the primary component responsible for larvicidal efficiency of this plant extract which may give good insights for developing a sustainable mosquito control method.

Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of Various Extracts of Aerial Parts of Rhanterium epapposum

Rhanterium epapposum, native to the Arabian Peninsula, is traditionally used to cure skin infections. The objective is to screen the phytochemical content and antimicrobial activity of aqueous, methanol and 80% methanol extracts of aerial parts of R. epapposum. The phytochemical screening of aqueous, methanolic, and 80% methanol extracts of R. epapposum was conducted using gas chromatographymass spectrometry. The antimicrobial activities of the extracts were assessed by well diffusion and microdilution methods. Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol in all three extracts, whereas ethanol, 2-methoxy-, acetate; n-hexadecanoic acid; and 2,3-butanediol are present in higher amount exclusively in the methanol, 80% methanol and aqueous extracts of the aerial parts of R. epapposum, respectively. The highest antibacterial activity was shown by the aqueous extract S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, E. cloacae, and K. pneumoniae, methanolic extract against S. aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, and E. coli, and 80% methanol extract against S. epidermidis, and S. paucimobilis. Interestingly, 80% methanol extracts showed the highest antifungal activity against C. albicans, C. guillermondii, C. vaginalis, C. utilis, and C. tropicalis. The aerial parts of R. epapposum showed broad-spread antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi. Especially, the 80% methanol extract showed potent antifungal activity against all the tested fungal strains.

The Use of Very-High-Resolution Aerial Imagery to Estimate the Structure and Distribution of the Rhanterium epapposum Community for Long-Term Monitoring in Desert Ecosystems.

The rapid assessment and monitoring of native desert plants are essential in restoration and revegetation projects to track the changes in vegetation patterns in terms of vegetation coverage and structure. This work investigated advanced vegetation monitoring methods utilizing UAVs and remote sensing techniques at the Al Abdali protected site in Kuwait. The study examined the effectiveness of using UAV techniques to assess the structure of desert plants. We specifically examined the use of very-high-resolution aerial imagery to estimate the vegetation structure of Rhanterium epapposum (perennial desert shrub), assess the vegetation cover density changes in desert plants after rainfall events, and investigate the relationship between the distribution of perennial shrub structure and vegetation cover density of annual plants. The images were classified using supervised classification techniques (the SVM method) to assess the changes in desert plants after extreme rainfall events. A digital terrain model (DTM) and a digital surface model (DSM) were also generated to estimate the maximum shrub heights. The classified imagery results show that a significant increase in vegetation coverage occurred in the annual plants after rainfall events. The results also show a reasonable correlation between the shrub heights estimated using UAVs and the ground-truth measurements (R2 = 0.66, p < 0.01). The shrub heights were higher in the high-cover-density plots, with coverage >30% and an average height of 77 cm. However, in the medium-cover-density (MD) plots, the coverage was <30%, and the average height was 52 cm. Our study suggests that utilizing UAVs can provide several advantages to critically support future ecological studies and revegetation and restoration programs in desert ecosystems.

Investigating the applicability of UAVs in characterizing desert shrub biomass and developing biological indicators for the selection of suitable revegetation sites

This study focused on evaluating factors influencing the growth of perennial shrubs by integrating field-based experiments and spatial analysis using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to identify ecological indicators that can help detect potential locations for restoration and revegetation of native plants. The experiment was implemented in the Al-Abduli protected area in Kuwait, which is mainly dominated by a Rhanterium epapposum community (desert shrub). Aerial imagery of the study site was acquired using UAVs during the growing season to estimate the desert shrub biomass and carbon stock. Then, soil samples were collected based on vegetation density to determine the impact of the soil's physical and chemical properties on vegetation biomass, growth, and distribution. It was found that shrub biomass was significantly correlated with crown area and shrub volume. We also observed that annual plants support the growth of perennial shrubs, as the mean shrub height and crown area (CA) are significantly higher, with averages of 0.7 m and 3 cm, respectively, in the presence of high annual plant density. However, shrubs in plots with low annual density had an average shrub height of 0.5 m and CA of 1.4 cm. Annual plants also enhance the soil by providing approximately 50% higher soil moisture, phosphorous (P), organic matter (OM), and carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration. In addition, annual plants are mainly supported by loamy soils in the deeper soil layers. We concluded that locations covered with annual plants represent suitable soils and that this can be considered a biological indicator for convenient locations for restoration and revegetation of native perennial shrubs. Remote sensing technologies could be utilized for initial assessments to detect sites that may support annual plant growth over a large scale for classification as potential restoration and revegetation areas.

Storage duration, light, temperature, and salinity exposure influence germination of the glycophyte Rhanterium epapposum

Regeneration of native species is the first priority for biodiversity conservation and restoration. To this end, it is key to have seeds properly conserved in seed banks and knowledge of seed longevity and (or) dormancy alleviation at different storage time intervals. In addition, understanding the germination response of the stored seeds to environmental conditions improves the efficiency of restoration and rehabilitation projects. We investigated the influence of storage duration (1–5 years), light (0 or 12 h of illumination), thermoperiod (night/day temperatures of 15/20 and 20/25 °C), and salinity (0, 100, 200. and 400 mmol/L of NaCl) on seed germination of Rhanterium epapposum, a glycophytic species from the Arabian Peninsula. Seeds maintained viability after five years of storage indoors at room temperature. Three years of storage alleviated seed dormancy. Exposure to 12 h light per day and thermoperiods of 15/20 °C enhanced seed germination. The seeds were glycophytic; after-ripened seeds exposed to salinity exhibited reduced rates of germination that did not recover after the salinity was alleviated.

Supplementation with the Methanolic Extract of Lycium shawii or Rhanterium epapposum Enhances Immune Responses of Broilers

Supplementation with the Methanolic Extract of Lycium shawii or Rhanterium epapposum Enhances Immune Responses of Broilers

Effects of salinity on native shrubs and one near extinct tree species of Kuwait: potentials for restoring degraded desert ecosystem

In view of the rapidly declining native plant cover due to existing harsh climate and uncontrolled grazing, Kuwait has undertaken initiatives to revegetate the desert land with native species to improve plant cover, soil stabilization, biodiversity and ecological processes. Because of the high temperature during long summer months and sandy soil types, transplanted seedlings are irrigated regularly, mostly with brackish groundwater. This study was undertaken to evaluate survival, growth and proline accumulation of transplanted Vachellia pachyceras, Rhanterium epapposum, Farsetia aegyptia and Haloxylon salicornicum seedlings that were irrigated with four levels of saline water ranging from EC 1.6 to 5.5 dS/m for 14 months. Irrigation with different salinity levels had no significant effect on seedlings survival in V. pachyceras, H. salicornicum and R. epapposum while F. aegyptia exhibited only 38% survival under brackish water irrigation. Total plant biomass declined with increasing salinity in irrigation water except in R. epapposum. However, salinity of irrigation water did not increase proline content. Present results suggest that revegetation involving these four native species can be implemented using brackish groundwater with salinity level up to EC of 5.5 dS/m in arid and semiarid regions where freshwater is scarce and need for revegetation is critically important.

Impact of anthropogenic disturbance and vegetation composition on ecophysiology and activity of Uromastyx aegyptia (Forskål, 1775)

Anthropogenic disturbances, particularly in deserts where resources and biodiversity are limited, may affect the delicate balance that enables an organism to exist in its environment. In this study, we investigated the impacts of human disturbance and the resulting changes in vegetation composition on activity, thermal biology, and body condition index of the Egyptian spiny-tailed burrowing lizard, Uromastyx aegyptia. Thirty-six adult U. aegyptia, were radio-tracked twice per week inside and outside protected habitats in the Kuwaiti desert. Vegetation composition, richness, abundance and density were surveyed in 115 plots randomly selected close to the active burrows and in the interspace areas. The high percentage of browsing on certain species such as Cyperus conglomeratus, Moltkiopsis ciliata, Rhanterium epapposum, and Convolvulus oxyphyllus may indicate that these species are characterized by high palatability and nutritional values for livestock and wild animals including dhubs. Dhub burrows were closer to each other inside the protected sites than outside of the protected sites. While habitat protection provided more vegetation and refuge to the dhubs and greater body mass at the beginning of the active season, it had little effect on seasonal changes in body mass and surface activity times of dhubs.

A comparative study of remote sensing classification methods for monitoring and assessing desert vegetation using a UAV-based multispectral sensor.

Restoration programs require long-term monitoring and assessment of vegetation growth and productivity. Remote sensing technology is considered to be one of the most powerful technologies for assessing vegetation. However, several limitations have been observed with regard to the use of satellite imagery, especially in drylands, due to the special structure of desert plants. Therefore, this study was conducted in Kuwait's Al Abdali protected area, which is dominated by a Rhanterium epapposum community. This work aimed to determine whether Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) multispectral imagery could eliminate the challenges associated with satellite imagery by examining the vegetation indices and classification methods for very high multispectral resolution imagery using UAVs. The results showed that the transformed difference vegetation index (TDVI) performed better with arid shrubs and grasses than did the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). It was found that the NDVI underestimated the vegetation coverage, especially in locations with high vegetation coverage. It was also found that Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) classifiers demonstrated a higher accuracy, with a significant overall accuracy of 93% and a kappa coefficient of 0.89. Therefore, we concluded that SVM and ML are the best classifiers for assessing desert vegetation and the use of UAVs with multispectral sensors can eliminate some of the major limitations associated with satellite imagery, particularly when dealing with tiny plants such as native desert vegetation. We also believe that these methods are suitable for the purpose of assessing vegetation coverage to support revegetation and restoration programs.

Effects of geomorphology and soil conditions on vegetation structure in conserved desert wadis: A case study of Jal Al-Zor escarpment, Kuwait

Variations in phytogeography of Jal Al-Zor wadi system in Sabah Al Ahmad Nature Reserve, an arid national park in Kuwait, in relation to physiographic and edaphic conditions were investigated using alpha diversity and multivariate analyses. A total of 66 plant species were recorded at low-relief and high-relief wadis. Altitude and slope gradients, grain size distribution and soil texture properties had a significant relationship with plant cover and plant diversity. There was a high diversity of life-forms along the wadi system with a dominant of therophytes (annuals) particularly in spring after winter rainfalls. Chamaephytes and hemicryptophytes were the dominant perennial life-forms. A chorological analysis documents the strong effect of Saharo-Arabian chorotype on the vegetation of the study area. Cluster analysis clarified eight vegetation assemblages along altitude and slope gradients within the wadi system. Alpha diversity of plant species was greater in plant assemblages at low-relief wadis than at high-relief wadis. Vegetation structure in this study showed that phytogeographically, wadis of Jal Al-Zor were closely related to the wadis in the Arabian deserts. The slope gradient pattern and edaphic conditions of plant assemblages and plant diversity in the conserved wadis of Jal Al-Zor may be suggested as a reference model for restoration strategy of disturbed low elevated wadis in the surrounding desert regions. Restoration would include propagation of suitable plants such as Stipagrostis plumosa - Haloxylon salicornicum - Rhanterium epapposum.