Relationship Between Plant Cover type and Soil Properties on Western Costal region, Saudi Arabia

Journal Article

Najat, Hediat M. H. and Bukhari . 2008

• رابط المنشور على الويب: http://www.aensiweb.com/old/jasr/jasr/2009/1040-1050.pdf
• المجلة \ الصحيفة: Journal of Applied Sciences Research, ): ,
• رقم العدد: 8
• رقم الإصدار السنوي: 5
• الصفحات: 1040-1050

مستخلص المنشور

A survey of soils and plant covers was conducted on the coastal plains of the western province of Saudi Arabia to clarify the relationships between the soil properties and the plant cover type. A belt transect of 80 m in length was established across each study area. Four mixed plant communities dominated by species such as: Tamarix nilotica in coastal sabkha, Saliconrnia qassimensis in coastal sand dunes, Aerva lanata in sand plains, and Bassia muricata in wadis areas were recognized. Soil types at the study area were determined to be sandy immature soil and peat lamina soil. Their horizon sequences were described as surface, subsurface and bottom layers, indicating layers of leaf litter, peat lamina and parent material, respectively. Coastal sabkha and coastal sand dunes were characterized by a relatively high calcium concentration in the soil horizons and tendency for podzolization in the volcanic deposit layer. The subsurface layers in coastal sabkha and coastal sand dunes were characterized by some peat lamina accumulation because of the high groundwater table, volcanic deposits in the soil profile and the strong influence of sea salt on the soil chemistry. The roots in the coastal sabkha and coastal sand dunes were distributed more shallowly than those in the sand plains and wadi areas, thus avoiding the high water table level as well as the influence of seawater in the soil. Generally, the salt marsh showed high sodium concentration and base saturation, indicating that this area was directly affected by seawater. Recently, the periphery of the plant covers on the coastal sand dunes has been declining because inundation caused by ground subsidence