Original paper

Six new variants of the Terminalia cloud forest in the Dhofar Mountains of Oman

Ball, Lawrence; Tzanopoulos, Joseph

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Phytocoenologia Band 50 Heft 4 (2021), p. 313 - 327

56 references

published: Jul 8, 2021
published online: Nov 9, 2020
manuscript accepted: Sep 17, 2020
final revised version received: Sep 14, 2020
manuscript revision requested: Sep 6, 2020
manuscript received: Feb 13, 2020

DOI: 10.1127/phyto/2020/0370

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Abstract

Background and Aims: The Terminalia cloud forest is endemic to a 200 km stretch of coastal mountains in southern Arabia. This research aims to describe patterns of variation in the species composition of the Terminalia forest in Dhofar, Oman and examine causal environmental factors. Study area: The Jabal Qamar mountain range, Dhofar, Oman. Methods: Hierarchical cluster analysis and indicator species analysis were used to identify and describe variants of the Terminalia forest. Topoclimatic factors, vegetation characteristics and disturbance factors were compared between the variants using ordination and ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: Six new variants of the Terminalia forest are described. These are the Dodonaea viscosa subsp. angustifolia shrubland variant, Cadia purpurea-Olea europaea forest variant, Euclea racemosa-Jasminum grandiflorum shrubland variant, Gymnosporia dhofarensis-Ficus sycomorus woodland variant, Jatropha dhofarica-Zygocarpum dhofarense sparse woodland variant and the Premna resinosa-Hybanthus durus forest variant. A seventh variant was identified, which was previously described by Kürschner et al. (2004); the broad-leaved Blepharis­permum hirtum shrubland. The species composition and environmental conditions indicate that two variants are the result of anthropogenic disturbance, whilst the other variants are well separated along fog density and topographic position gradients. Conclusions: Distinct variants of the Terminalia forest in Jabal Qamar result from spatial variability in environmental conditions associated with the complex topography, monsoon fog distributions, and anthropogenic disturbance. The results of this study could assist practitioners to rapidly identify and prioritise these variants for conservation. Taxonomic reference: Nomenclature follows the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Plants of the World Online database (POWO 2019). Syntaxonomic reference: Nomenclature follows Kürschner et al. (2004). Abbreviations: CCA = constrained correspondence analysis; PCQ = point-centered quarter; r.ind.g = group-equalized individual-based correlation indices

Keywords

Terminalia dhofarica • Anogeissus • Arabia • arid rangelands • camels • cloud forest • Dhofar Oman • livestock browsing • Mahra Yemen • ordination • overgrazing