Journal
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
Volume 128, Issue -, Pages 91-100Publisher
ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2016.02.001
Keywords
Juniperus seravschanica; Juniperus excelsa subsp polycarpos; Oman; Climate change; Refugia; Elevational shift
Categories
Funding
- National Field Research Centre for Environmental Conservation of the Diwan Royal Court of Oman
- Oman Earthwatch Programme
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The southernmost population of Zerayschan juniper (Juniperus serayschanica) is found in Oman's Hajar Mountains. This is an iconic tree, important to wildlife and local people. However, Oman's juniper population is in decline: many trees have sparse, unhealthy foliage and few saplings can be found. Climate change, over-grazing, and over-harvesting have been suggested as possible causes. In this study, Zerayschan juniper were surveyed across the Jebel Akhdar-Shams range, Oman's largest juniper woodland. Generalised linear models were used to explore tree foliage status and relative abundance of saplings in relation to habitat characteristics, grazing and harvesting. Habitat characteristics associated with temperature and moisture explained patterns in percent living foliage and sapling abundance, but grazing and harvest data did not, suggesting climate change as the main cause of decline. Records of recent local temperature rises and reduced precipitation support this conclusion. Optimal habitat for juniper is now limited to areas near the summit of Oman's tallest mountain, and at lower elevations juniper with healthy foliage are only found in shallow depressions and on shaded north-facing slopes. These areas may offer climatic refugia, and protecting these habitats from other threats will be key to conserving Oman's junipers in the face of climate change. (c) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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