Sabkha ecosystem and halophyte plant communities in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

In Saudi Arabia, sabkhas are widespread, each covering areas from a few hectares to hundreds of square kilometers. In some cases water stands on the surface giving the impression of ponds or lakes. Usually the water table is very close to the ground surface. The salinity of the sabkha groundwater ranges between 50-585 g L^-1 in different places. Solute chemistry indicates Na and Mg as the major cations and Cl and SO₄ as the major anions. Other ions such as Ca, K, CO₃, and HCO₃ exist in varying proportions besides B, NO₃ and F. Salt is harvested from these sabkhas for multiple uses. The texture of sabkhas soils ranges from coarse (sandy) to fine (sandy-clay-loam) at various places.

A field survey was conducted to determine the halophyte plant communities in sabkha in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Plant species such as Aeluropus lagopoides, Prosopis farcata, Bienertia cycloptera, Nitraria retusa, Salicornia europaea, Suaeda vermiculata, Tamarix amplexicaula Atriplex leucoclada, Halothamnus (sp), Plantago ovata, Atriplex glaucum, Suaeda fruticosa and Suaeda monoica contain high protein contents (ranging from 4.25-19.75%) besides other mineral elements. The soil EC_e ranges between 8.25-206 dS m^-1. Based on the soil and plant analysis, these halophyte plants have an excellent potential for successful growth in a particular sabkha ecosystem. In conclusion, although most of the areas adjacent to sabkhas are heavily degraded, in some cases potential exists for the rehabilitation of either whole sabkhas or parts of sabkhas through halophyte plantation with the adoption of appropriate soil, water and plant management practices.