Early Growth Stages of the Rare Acridocarpus orientalis in the UAE—A First Step towards Conservation
- 1 Biology Department, Faculty of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE
- 2 Arid Regions Institute, Medenine, Tunisia
- 3 Flora & Phyto-Taxonomy Research Department, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt
Abstract
The seed germination and seedling establishment of the rare Acridocarpus orientalis were investigated to understand its requirements for further seedlings establishment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is an important first step in order to try to conserve the species and prevent its disappearance. The experiments were carried out in a greenhouse and in a laboratory under a temperature of about 25?C ± 4?C. Seeds were soaked in water or kept in cold conditions. A control treatment was also included. Only a total of 9 seeds emerged during a period that exceeded eight months. Percent germination in the laboratory experiment reached a maximum of 32%, 75 days into the trial. The rate of seed mortality was 64%. It may be a problem of acclimation to the greenhouse environment. The results of this study showed that A. orientalis seeds were not dormant. About 32% of seeds germinated and all others were viable. Soaking seeds in water proved to be the best treatment for A. orientalis to emerge. Further investigations of the species germination and establishment are needed in order to improve our chances of protecting A. orientalis in the wild.
- P. A. Parsons, “Environmental Stresses and Conservation of Natural Populations,” Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, Vol. 20, No. 1, 1989, pp. 29-49. doi:10.1146/annurev.es.20.110189.000333
- A. El-Keblawy and T. Ksiksi, “Artificial Forests as Conservation Sites for the Native Flora of the UAE,” Forest Ecology and Management, Vol. 213, No. 1-3, 2005, pp. 288-296. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2005.03.058
- G. Brown and S. Sakkir, “The Vascular Plants of Abu Dhabi Emirate,” Environmental Research & Wildlife Development Agency, August 2004.
- R. Choukr-Allah and M. C. Harrouni, “The Potential Use of Halophytes under Saline Irrigation in Morocco (Abstract),” Symposium on the Conservation of Mangal Ecosystems, Al Ain, 1996, pp. 15-17.
- G. Brown and B. B?er, “Terrestrial Habitats,” In: P. Hellyer and S. Aspinall, Eds., The Emirates—A Natural History, Trident, London, 2005, pp. 93-108.
- A. El-Keblawy, T. Ksiksi and H. Elalgamy, “Camel Grazing Affects Species Diversity and Community Structure in the Arid Deserts of the United Arab Emirates,” Journal of Arid Environment, Vol. 73, No. 3, 2009, pp. 347-354. doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2008.10.004
- G. Brown, J. Peacock, R. Loughland and G. A. Aldrami, “Coastal and Terrestrial Ecosystem Management Requirements in the GCC States,” ERWDA Internal Report, UAE, 2003.
- S. A. Chaudhary and A. A. Al-Jowaid, “Vegetation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Ministry of Agriculture & Water, Riyadh, 1999, 689 p.
- H. N. Le Houérou, “The Desert and Arid Zones of Northern Africa,” In: M. Evenari, D. W. Goodall and I. Noy- Meir, Eds., Hot Deserts and arid Shrublands, Ecosystems of the World, Vol. 11B, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1986, pp. 101-147.
- G. Brown, “Factors Maintaining Plant Diversity in Degraded Areas of Northern Kuwait,” Journal of Arid Environments, Vol. 54, No. 1, 2003, pp. 183-194. doi:10.1006/jare.2001.0880
- U. Deil, “Halophytic Vegetation along the Arabian Coast —A Zonal or Linked to Climatic Zones?” Phytocoenologia, Vol. 30, 2000, pp. 591-611.
- G. Brown and S. Sakkir, “Flora and Vegetation in Jebal Hafit,” In: S. Aspinall and P. Hellyer, Eds., Jebal Hafit— A Natural History, Emirates Natural History Group, Abu Dhabi, 2004, pp. 65-93.
- T. N. Kaye, “Propagation of Endangered Species: Variable Germination of Pink Sand verbena from Pacific Coast Beaches,” Combined Proceedings of the International Plant Propagators Society, Vol. 49, 1999, pp. 617- 621.