Integrated environmental assessment of rangeland resources in Jebel Samhan protectorate of the sultanate of Oman

Abstract

An integrated environmental assessment of rangeland resources in Jabal Samhan protectorate area of Dhofar, Sultanate of Oman was conducted using DPSIR analysis matrix. Assessment included monitoring current state and direction of rangeland resources, direct and indirect pressures influencing resources and their impacts. Effectiveness of government conservation policies was also assessed and a plausible forwardlooking scenario was drawn up to provide an insight into rangeland futures compared to business as usual scenario. Recommended alternative policies were embedded in the context of sustainability scenario. Vegetation composition and productivity were assessed by sampling lesser vegetation in the southern and western regions of the protected area. A questionnaire was prepared to assess the needs of the local community. Results of vegetation sampling indicted differences in composition and productivity of vegetation from one site to another due to the effect of topography and grazing. Plant coverage ranged from 36-98%, whereas vegetation productivity was 63% higher in the Tawi Atier enclosure than adjacent sites. On the other hand, productivity was less by 50% and 76% in the mid and south sites, and 86% outside the protected area. Low site productivity is attributed to rainfall scarcity, variability from one site to another and overgrazing. Thirty four percent of the locals surveyed depend on grazing as a primary source for income. In the mean time 54% of them attribute rangeland deterioration in the protected area to the scarcity of these resources outside. Although laws exist for biodiversity and nature conservation as well as animal wealth and livestock management; still rangeland resources are experiencing overgrazing. The sustainability scenario based primarily on ecosystem approach with its proposed policies offer an optimal solution to the issues of resource degradation in the protected area as it strikes the balance between biodiversity conservation and securing the interest of local community.