COUNTRY Sultanate of Oman

NAME Arabian Oryx Sanctuary

IUCN MANAGEMENT CATEGORY

Unassigned
Natural World Heritage Site - Criteria iv

BIOGEOGRAPHICAL PROVINCE 2.19.07 (Arabian Desert)

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION Jiddat al Harasis, is located within the central region of Oman. The nearest large settlement is Haima to the west. In the southwest are the Rima and Marmul centres of oil extraction. The eastern and southern borders of the property lie on the shoreline of the Arabian sea, which is part of the Indian Ocean. The site is surrounded to the north by the Hajjar mountains and to the south by the Dhofar mountains. Jiddat al Harasis is located at 19°50'N and 57°00'E, to the east of this is Huquf which is separated from the sea by the Janaba Hills. To the south of Jiddat al Harasis is Sahil al Jazir, and to the south east is Ra's Madrakah. 18°45'-20°55'N, 56°06'-57°50'E

DATE AND HISTORY OF ESTABLISHMENT The site is not legally protected. Royal Decree No. 26 of 1979 provides authority to establish national parks and nature reserves, but has never been implemented (MNHC, 1992). Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1994.

AREA 2,750,000ha

LAND TENURE Owned by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman, and administered from Haima, a nearby town.

ALTITUDE The altitude varies from sea-level to 300m.

PHYSICAL FEATURES Jiddat al Harasis is a plateau at an altitude of 100-150m. Throughout the region there are some slightly sloping internal drainage plains, coastal escarpments and alluvial plains (IUCN, 1986).

The plateau, consisting mainly of Miocene karst limestone, is bounded on the east by an escarpment of 100m. This falls into the Huquf depression, separated from the coast by the Janabah Hills which rise to 300m. The southern boundary of the Jiddat al Harasis plateau is the escarpment of Sahil al Jazir. In the south east of the property the headland of Ra's Madrakah rises to 205m above sea level. The Janabah Hills are dissected Cretaceous sandstone, whilst the soils are mostly rocky or shallow sands on rock (IUCN, 1986). Areas of fossil wood occur on limestone surfaces of the Jidda', and escarpments are locally highly fossiliferous.

CLIMATE An unusual desert climate with thick fog banks occurs. Temperatures in the summer months (May to October), rise to over 30°C. The hottest month is July with a mean temperature of 34°C. In the winter months, January and February, the temperature can drop to 15°C. Mean annual rainfall is less than 50mm, with the possibility of several consecutive rainless years. However, considerable precipitation at night and early morning occurs, from fog moisture and dew on the Jiddat al Harasis, periodically throughout the year and particularly during the months October to April. This fog results from a combination of circumstances which result in cold water at the coast, and the very high temperatures inland. This remarkable air temperature gradient causes very strong sea breezes every afternoon between spring and autumn. As air temperatures equilibrate in the evening, the moist air condenses into fog, if wind velocity drops, this sinks to ground level, resulting in very considerable volumes of condensed, sweet water. This precipitation helps significantly to sustain the vegetation and wildlife between the unpredictable rains.

VEGETATION Plant biomass is very low, plant growth being largely dependant upon localised sand accumulation and rock fissures and the shallow drainage patterns of the surface, and nourished by for moisture and dew. The greater part of the Jiddat al Harasis is sparsely vegetated, with small trees and dwarf shrubs growing in haylah depressions. The most common vegetation of this type is Acacia tortilis and A.ehrenbergiana, along with Prosopis cineraria. There is a sparse cover of low shrubs and ephemeral grasses, which develop after rain. This semi desert vegetation is utilised by the wildlife especially after rains and in the cool season.

The most commonly occurring shrubs are Tephrosia apollinea, Crotalaria aegyptiaca and the endemic Ochradenus harsuticus. There is a relatively high local abundance of Lycium shawii and Zygophyllum sp. Several species of graminae occur. Stipagrostis sp., an annual which can persist as a perennial if conditions allow, is the commonest grass found on the plain (IUCN, 1986). Very extensive woodlands of Acacia tortilis and Prosopis cineraria can be found growing near the large wadis on the southern borders of Jiddat al Harasis. Many of these trees which evidently extend their rooting system down to the water table, are very old; a significant number of the trees are dead or dying and very few young trees exist to replace them. Lichen (mainly Ramalina duriaei) grow on dead tree branches, sustained by the mist or fog moisture. The high humidity caused by the fog probably also accounts for the abundance of trees.

FAUNA The fauna of the region is typical of the Arabian peninsula. Some of the most frequent predators are the red fox Vulpes vulpes arabica and Ruppell's sand fox V. rueppellii (K). Red fox which used to be found in fewer numbers than Ruppell's sand fox, now displace the latter species by taking advantage of food resources obtained from the expanding numbers of Bedu farigs (temporary human settlements). The other main carnivores which live on the Jidda' include caracal Felis caracal and Arabian wolf Canis lupus arabs (V) which is occasionally reported. The wolf was formerly a serious predator of livestock in the region, but was hunted out by motorised herdsmen. They now survive in the broken country of the Huquf, the southern wadis and the Janabah Hills. Wild cat Felis sylvestris and ratel Mellivora capensis have been reported but may no longer exist. Hares Lepus capensis are found throughout the Jidda'. Hedgehogs Paraechinus aethiopicus are widespread but are rarely seen. Common rodents are gerbil Gerbillus dasyurus and the Sundevall's jird Meriones crassus. Lesser jerboa and spiny mouse Acomys dimidiatus are less common.

The most numerous large herbivores are the Arabian mountain gazelle Gazella gazella gazella (V) which inhabits the whole nominated area and Sand gazelle G. subgutturosa marica (E). A small but viable population of Nubian ibex Capra ibex nubiana live on the huquf escarpment, the Janabah Hills and the headlands between Ra's Duqm and Ra's Madrakah.

The Arabian oryx Oryx leucoryx (E), which has been reintroduced into the region, is the largest indigenous mammal species inhabiting the Jidda'. The last wild individuals in Arabia were killed and captured on the Jidda' in 1972 and the species was thought to be extinct. Since the reintroduction in 1980 of 10 individuals from captive USA breeding stocks, the freeranging herd has risen from 33 in 1986 to 161 in 1993.

Indigenous reptiles include grey monitor lizard and spiny-tailed lizard, two smaller species of the genus Uromastix, venomous horned and carpet vipers, hooded malpolon, sandsnake and cat snake. Smaller reptiles include several skinks, agamids and geckos. Burrowing reptiles and rodents live in the sand-mounds which build up around Acacia eherenbergiana.

Birds recorded over a six year period on the Jidda' total 168 species. There are twenty two breeding species including golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos, houbara bustard Chlamydotis undulata (V), spotted thick-knee, coronetted sandgrouse Pterocles coronatus and chestnut-bellied sandgrouse P.exustus, cream-coloured courser Cursorius cursor, black-crowned finch-lark Eremopterix nigriceps, hoopoe lark Alaemon alaudipes and crested lark Galerida cristata, desert wheatear Oenanthe deserti, great grey shrike Lanius excubitor, little owl Athene noctua and brown-necked raven Corvus ruficollis. A further fifteen species are known to visit the area in winter, and 104 species are seen as passage migrants in spring and autumn. The coastal beaches and lagoons are the habitat of flocks of resident and migrating waders including gulls Larus sp., terns, flamingoes Phoenicopterus sp., herons and several species of ducks winter on the lagoons.

The small saline and brackish springs act as important vegetated oasis areas, attracting a variety of birds and mammals. They are also habitat for a small indigenous fish species Aphanus dispar.

CULTURAL HERITAGE Very little is known about the history of the Jiddat al Harasis and its adjoining areas, nor of the Harasis tribe that occupies most of the area. The Harasis, a Bedu tribe of 2,500 people, with a traditional language that belongs to a pre-Islamic south Arabian group, are presumed to have lived in the Jidda' for several centuries. Until 1970 the Harasis were nomadic pastoralists who followed the rain and the grazing over a large part of Oman. The Sahil al-Jazir, Janaba Hills and Ra's madrakah areas of the property are occupied mostly by the Bedu Janaba tribe.

LOCAL HUMAN POPULATION The only permanent settlements are the white oryx project headquarters at Yalooni and the PDO camps in the oil fields. There are numerous maintained roads and motorable tracks (IUCN, 1986).

There are no areas of cultivation, although pastoralism is practised widely by the nomadic Bedu. The Harasis are a small tribe of around 2500 people. The Bedu Janabah tribe are pastoralists and fishermen living in scattered settlements in the coastal regions, most of which are not included within the area nominated for World Heritage status.

Subsequent development of the oil industry has totally changed the economy of Oman, including the lives of the Bedu.

With the advent of motorised transport the factor which limited exploitation and access through the Jidda' was removed. Water could be obtained easily as could food for livestock, thus more animals were raised and fewer slaughtered. In 1990 the cost of the supplementary food plus the vehicle running costs was barely covered by the generally low market value of the Harasis goats in the distant markets.

VISITORS AND VISITOR FACILITIES The oryx introduction project at Yalooni has limited accomodation for visitors and students and receives around 150 guests per year.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND FACILITIES The main area of scientific research has been, and continues to be, the reintroduction and monitoring of the Arabian oryx population.

CONSERVATION VALUE The Jiddat al Harasis, with it's adjoining areas, is now the most important sanctuary for free ranging wildlife in Arabia; including the only surviving free-ranging and viable Arabian Oryx population in the world. The property includes geological and physiographical formations (the Jidda'), which precisely delineate the natural habitat of the oryx.

The land units included in the nominated area together provide a complex of outstanding highly exposed geological formations and geomorphological processes which are of great scientific interest and also of striking scenic beauty.

The Jidda' is the only place in the Middle East where the houbara bustard receives total protection throughout the year.

CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT It has been possible to enforce the wildlife protection act within Jiddat al Harasis and adjoining areas with the help of some of the Harasis as rangers. The indigenous animal life has recovered in recent years from the affects of hunting through the protection of the oryx reintroduction project.

From the 1950's, hunting parties came to shoot, capture and hunt the oryx, the gazelles and the houbara bustard. The last wild oryx were captured and killed on the Jidda' in 1972 and wildlife was greatly reduced throughout the region. From 1975 all hunting was forbidden. In 1980 the reintroduction of the oryx was started under the direction of the Diwan of Royal Court Affairs.

The animals were originally captured in Yeman PDR by a consortium of international conservation organisations (FPS & WWF) in 1962 and taken to the U.S.A. (Anon, 1982). Ten animals were brought over from the U.S.A. These, together with a small number brought from other captive herds, have increased to their present number of 161. The oryx is now fully protected and the protection provided by the oryx project has enabled the ibex and the houbara bustard to increase.

It is has also been a site of Arabian oryx reintroduction since 1980.

One of the most encouraging aspects of the oryx introduction scheme is that the Harasis people regard the oryx as their tribal property. They have indicated that they wish a return of the oryx, and are prepared to guard them (Anon, 1978).

MANAGEMENT CONSTRAINTS Delay in the implementation of the IUCN 1986 report could result in the loss of major woodlands of the region. The Jiddat al Harasis is now heavily used by oil companies, vehicles and the native people. The perennial vegetation is heavily exploited by livestock. Serious problems are apparent for important Prosopis cineraria and Acacia tortilis woodlands, they are dying off due to a combination of old age and heavy browsing by livestock. The lack of regeneration is however more serious, there are few young trees to replace the mortality.

Near the centre of the Jidda', a small settlement of Al Ajaiz has arisen around a borehole which was drilled in 1955 by Petroleum Development Oman (PDO). A subsequent growth through vehicle repair workshops and small trading shops, together with accumulated scrap and rubbish, threatens the integrity of the property.

STAFF Harasis rangers are employed to enforce the protection of the Jidda'. The structure of staff protecting the area is: 1 Biology Project manager, 1 Operational/Administrative Project manager, 23 Rangers and 26 support staff (undated information).

BUDGET No information

LOCAL ADDRESSES

Minister of National Heritage & Culture, P.O Box 668, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.

REFERENCES

Animal Kingdom, 1984. For an Endangered Species: Operation Oryx. The Animal Kingdom, Pp 28-33, 86(6).

Anon (1978). Plan to Restore Arabian Oryx in Oman. Dr.Jungius, Oryx, Pp 329-336 14(4), The Flora and Fauna Preservation Society.

Anon (1982). Oryx Returns to the Wild. Fitter,R. Oryx, Pp 406-410 15(5), The Flora and Fauna Preservation Society.

IUCN (1990). 1990 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, U.K. 288 pp.

IUCN (1986). Proposals for a System of Nature Conservation Areas. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland. 477 pp.

McNeely, J.A, & Neronov, V.M (Eds.). (1991). MAB. Mammals in the Palaearctic Desert: Status and Trend in the Sahara-Gobian Region. The Russian Academy of Sciences, The Russian Committee for the Unesco Programme on Man and the Biosphere. Moscow. 298 pp.

MNHC (1992). Proposed World Natural Heritage Zone. Ministry of National Heritage and Culture, Sultanate of Oman, Muscat.

DATE February 1993, revised June 1993