Jebel Samhan, Oman
Buy this photo on Getty Images : Getty Images
Submitted 08/05/2014
Accepted 03/06/2014
In 2013 the Sultanate of Oman submitted the Jebel Samhan Mountain Nature Reserve for consideration to be accepted on the Unesco world heritage list. (Tentative list)
جبل سمحان
-----------------
From the Unesco site ( whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5834/ ) :
Smahan's Mountain Nature Reserve (JSNR) is located in the south of Oman. It has an approximate area of 4500 km², and was legally designated by a Royal Decree (R.D. 48/97) in 1997. It is now the largest protected area in the country. The reserve was established to protect wildlife in its natural habitats and to promote sustainable use of the natural resources such as wildlife-related tourism.
Flora
JSNR is home to a unique variety of plants, especially ones that thrive in creeks and wadis south of the reserve, they include glasswort, ditch reed, palms, Prosopis cineraria, Anogeissus dhofarica, Pappea capensis, Boswellia sacra, Aloe sp. and many more. The reserve's central plateau (Hawjer oasis) encompasses the largest group of frankincense or olibanum trees in the area. Economically speaking, Olibanum is the most valuable plant in the reserve. Other annual plants and shrubs also thrive in this part of the reserve.
In the northern parts of the reserve, where desert climate prevails, Acacia tortilis trees grow deep into the wadis (Wadi Ara, Wadi Andhoor and Wadi Dimit) along with wild palms, olibanum trees and desert plants.
Plants of special interest include Carallumasp. nov., Maytenus sp. nov., Anogeissus dhofarica, Launaeacastanosperma, Lavandulahasikensis, Salvia sp. nov., Barleria samhanensis and Dracaenaserrulata.
Fauna
Various species of wildlife live and breed throughout the reserve , availability of preys and vegetation in most wadis as well as plenty of water in the springs and ponds left by abundant rainfall, creating suitable living environment for the herbivores. The reserve is unintrabited by human, thus wildlife are least disturbed except for occasional poachers.
Shrimps and abalone are found in the marine area while whales and dolphins are seen along the coasts between Hadbin and al Shuwaimiyya. Green Turtles and Loggerheads also nest on the sandy beaches near the reserve.
The steep cliffs in certain wadis such as Wadi Sunayk offer ideal breeding sites for a number of rare species such as herons and tropic birds. The coastal waters provide food for Masked Boobies and Socotra Cormorants. In the same wadi, a Khaur surrounded with vegetation exist and attracts nesting turtles and migrant birds nest unto the adjacent cliffs.
Carnivores
A major predator living in the reserve, the Arabian Leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) roams freely inside the reserve and vicinities. It is the world's only place designated for protecting this unique threatened species. Other predators in the reserve include the Striped Hyaena, Arabian Wolf, Caracal, Foxes, Honey badgers, mongooses, and Genets.
Herbivores
The reserve is home to a group of herbivores such as the Nubian Ibex (Capra (ibex) nubiana), considered as the biggest herbivore that lives and breeds in the northern parts of the reserve. Gazelles (Gazella gazella cora) also inhabit the northern parts, especially in Wadi Ara, Wadi Andhoor and Wadi Dimit, but are now being commonly spotted in the southern parts, especially in the area between Wilayat Mirbat and Sadah. The hyrax, a favorite prey of the Arabian leopard, harbors the crevices of steep cliffs of the reserve.
Published:
- Telegraph Media Group Ltd Spa (United Kingdom (Great Britain)) 19-Jan-2017
Jebel Samhan, Oman
Buy this photo on Getty Images : Getty Images
Submitted 08/05/2014
Accepted 03/06/2014
In 2013 the Sultanate of Oman submitted the Jebel Samhan Mountain Nature Reserve for consideration to be accepted on the Unesco world heritage list. (Tentative list)
جبل سمحان
-----------------
From the Unesco site ( whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5834/ ) :
Smahan's Mountain Nature Reserve (JSNR) is located in the south of Oman. It has an approximate area of 4500 km², and was legally designated by a Royal Decree (R.D. 48/97) in 1997. It is now the largest protected area in the country. The reserve was established to protect wildlife in its natural habitats and to promote sustainable use of the natural resources such as wildlife-related tourism.
Flora
JSNR is home to a unique variety of plants, especially ones that thrive in creeks and wadis south of the reserve, they include glasswort, ditch reed, palms, Prosopis cineraria, Anogeissus dhofarica, Pappea capensis, Boswellia sacra, Aloe sp. and many more. The reserve's central plateau (Hawjer oasis) encompasses the largest group of frankincense or olibanum trees in the area. Economically speaking, Olibanum is the most valuable plant in the reserve. Other annual plants and shrubs also thrive in this part of the reserve.
In the northern parts of the reserve, where desert climate prevails, Acacia tortilis trees grow deep into the wadis (Wadi Ara, Wadi Andhoor and Wadi Dimit) along with wild palms, olibanum trees and desert plants.
Plants of special interest include Carallumasp. nov., Maytenus sp. nov., Anogeissus dhofarica, Launaeacastanosperma, Lavandulahasikensis, Salvia sp. nov., Barleria samhanensis and Dracaenaserrulata.
Fauna
Various species of wildlife live and breed throughout the reserve , availability of preys and vegetation in most wadis as well as plenty of water in the springs and ponds left by abundant rainfall, creating suitable living environment for the herbivores. The reserve is unintrabited by human, thus wildlife are least disturbed except for occasional poachers.
Shrimps and abalone are found in the marine area while whales and dolphins are seen along the coasts between Hadbin and al Shuwaimiyya. Green Turtles and Loggerheads also nest on the sandy beaches near the reserve.
The steep cliffs in certain wadis such as Wadi Sunayk offer ideal breeding sites for a number of rare species such as herons and tropic birds. The coastal waters provide food for Masked Boobies and Socotra Cormorants. In the same wadi, a Khaur surrounded with vegetation exist and attracts nesting turtles and migrant birds nest unto the adjacent cliffs.
Carnivores
A major predator living in the reserve, the Arabian Leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) roams freely inside the reserve and vicinities. It is the world's only place designated for protecting this unique threatened species. Other predators in the reserve include the Striped Hyaena, Arabian Wolf, Caracal, Foxes, Honey badgers, mongooses, and Genets.
Herbivores
The reserve is home to a group of herbivores such as the Nubian Ibex (Capra (ibex) nubiana), considered as the biggest herbivore that lives and breeds in the northern parts of the reserve. Gazelles (Gazella gazella cora) also inhabit the northern parts, especially in Wadi Ara, Wadi Andhoor and Wadi Dimit, but are now being commonly spotted in the southern parts, especially in the area between Wilayat Mirbat and Sadah. The hyrax, a favorite prey of the Arabian leopard, harbors the crevices of steep cliffs of the reserve.
Published:
- Telegraph Media Group Ltd Spa (United Kingdom (Great Britain)) 19-Jan-2017