report no 1. preliminary report on rawdhat biodiversity (dec 2015)

REPORT No 1: Preliminary biodiversity surveys on Qatar rawdat (Dec. 2015) Ivan Mohedano Mendez

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PRELIMINARY BIODIVERSITY SURVEYS ON QATAR RAWDAT

قطر في للروض البيولوجي التنوع بشأن أولية تقييمات

REPORT No 1 1 رقم تقرير

RELEASING DATE 29/12/2015 29/12/2015 تاريخ

SUBJECT RAWDAT BIODIVERSITY في البيولوجي التنوع للروض الموضوع

DESCRIPTION On the preliminary biodiversity surveys held on several rawdat in Northern, Eastern and Southern Qatar, during December 2015, prior implementation of the project “Assessing biodiversity in Qatar rawdat ecosystems”

التنوع األولية المسوحات حول روض عدة في عقدت يالت البيولوجي

خالل قطر، وجنوب وشرق شمال في مسبق تنفيذ ،5102 عام ديسمبر شهر

التنوع تقييم " بعنوان مشروع من للروض البيولوجية النظم في البيولوجي

"قطر في

الوصف

BACKGROUND

The project entitled “Assessing biodiversity in Qatar rawdat ecosystems” aims to evaluate the scope and

nature of biodiversity in the country’s rawdat. It will comprise comprehensive surveying on mammals, birds,

reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and plants, with special focus on plant community composition and the

inter-specific relationships existing between the species composing the ecosystem. Four sample locations in

different parts of Qatar will be selected to host the assessments.

JUSTIFICATION

Candidate rawdat had to be visited in advance to make a final selection of four sampling sites. Criteria like

feasibility, representativeness, and degree of disturbance, can only be assessed in situ (in the field) though

direct visual inspection. The trips were also expected to provide valuable preliminary information on some

key ecological traits of rawdat ecosystems.

SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES HELD

Along a three-week period, 17 rawdat sites (see maps 1-3) were visited in four different areas: Al-Mayeda

(1), Al-Numan (0), Ra’s Abrouq (7) and Al Ameria-Mazra’at Turayna (8). Given the high number of rawdat

assessed, a whole day of field work was needed on the assemblages at Ra’s Abrouq and Al Ameria-Mazra’at

Turayna. Surveys at Al-Mayeda and Al-Numan could be completed together within the same day.


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Subsequently, several additional working days were dedicated to determine plants, review literature, write

down reports and perform other related tasks.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Targeted sites were approached by car, but eventually assessed by foot, in order to prevent trampling

and disturbance on wildlife. One survey itinerary was conducted on each rawda, during which animal and

plant species were recorded. Length and duration of itineraries varied depending on the site characteristics,

covering in all cases a significant proportion of the total area. When detected, environmental

problems/conservation issues were also reported.

Maps 1-3. Overview on the four surveyed areas (left) and detail on the rawdat assemblages of Ra’s Abrouq (right up) and Al Ameria-Mazra’at

Turayna (right down).


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PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS

VEGETATION AND HABITAT

OVERVIEW

Rawdat depressions naturally accumulate deposits of fine sediment (sand, silt or loam) and retain the

water and moisture of the scarce rainfall. This furnishes pretty favourable soil conditions, in comparison to

those of the barren rocky surroundings (hamada). Plants are able to reach higher development here,

creating oasis-like formations that act as shelter and source of biodiversity.

Vegetation in surveyed rawdat was dominated by a core of tall bushy coverage, typically comprising three

species of phanerophytes: Lycium shawii (awsaj, عوسج), Ziziphus nummularia (sidr, السدر البري) and Acacia spp.

(salam/samr, السمر \ السام ) (see fig. 1). Often all three species occur together, in different degrees of

dominance, but monospecific formations may also take place.

This triad of phanerophytes act as umbrella for the growth of a variety of plant species. They increase soil

organic content, filter radiation, reduce evaporation and optimize micro-habitat conditions in general. As a

result, the richness of animal communities improves as well, as shelter and a higher availability of resources

are provided. The structure of rawdat bushy formations is fairly open, with thickets keeping about 5-10m

each other.

Fig. 1. Heterogeneus rawdat vegetation community in Southern Qatar (Mazra’at Turayna area) composed by the usual triad of phanerophytes:

the AWSAJ Lycium shawii (first term, right), the SIDR Ziziphus nummularia (left corner), and the SALAM Acacia tortilis (on the background).


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CONSIDERATIONS

A priori, there seem to be three different rawdat communities with distinct spatial distribution (see

figures 2-4):

1. Ziziphus-dominated (Northern Qatar, Al-Numan & Al-Mayeda areas)

2. Lycium-dominated (Eastern Qatar, Ra’s Abrouq area)

3. Acacia-dominated (Southern Qatar, Al Ameria-Mazra’at Turayna area)

In all three types, the other two (non-dominant) species of the triad occurred, but in a variable

degree of dominance. The bulk of accompanying species, though, clearly differed among sub-types

(see chart 1). Such differential scheme might be due to the existence of regional variations on the

biotope/environmental constraints.

Figs. 2-4. General view of the three apparent rawdat sub-types found during preliminary surveys: Ziziphus-dominated at Al-Numan

(left), Lycium-dominated at Ra’s Abrouq (middle), and Acacia-dominated near Mazra’at Turayna (right).

Despite all rawdat types grow on calcid soils of the Middle Eocene Dammam formation basement,

the Lycium and Zizipus-dominated rawdat of the North and East appeared to develop in more silty

substrates than the Acacia-dominated Southern formations. In the later the ground was typically

covered by a layer of dune sand of variable thickness (figs. 5 and 6).

Figs. 5 & 6. Silty soils of Northern-Eastern rawdat (left) vs sandy soils of South (right).

The distinct distribution of rawdat subtypes could also have to do with slight differences in the

average annual rainfall between North/East and South of Qatar Peninsula, as well as with the lower

temperatures experienced in the more continental South. Horizontal rain/moisture supply may also

vary, as the influence of humid shamal winds is probably lower towards South.


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SPECIES ARABIC NAME

LOCATION (rawdat units)

Ziziphus-dom.

Lycium-dominated Acacia-dominated

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Lycium shawii عوسج x x X x x x x x x x x x x x x x Ziziphus nummularia السدر البري x x x x x x x x x x x Acacia tortilis السمر x x X x x x x x Acacia ehrenbergiana السام x x x x x x x x Anastasica hierochuntica كف مريم x X x x x x x x x x Heliotropium bacciferum رمرام x X x x x x x x Cymbopogon commutatus? ؟ األصحبر x X x x x x x Fagonia indica دريمة x x x x x x Tetraena qatarense هرم قطري x X x x x x Anabasis setifera حمض األرنب X x x x x x Senna italica سنامكي x X x x x Pulicaria undulata جشجاث x x x x x Panicum turgidum? ؟نبات الشمام x x x x Unknown species (tomentosa) - x x x x Medicago laciniata نفل أبو حسك x x x x Ochradenus baccatus قرضي x x x Suaeda vermiculata روشا x x x Salsola imbricata يط x x x خرSalsola drummondii - x x Polycarpaea sp.? ؟دقيقة x x Neurada procumbens سعدان x x Stipa capensis? ؟الصمعة x x Blepharis ciliaris? ؟شوك الضب x Corchorus depressus? ؟ركبة الجمل x Aerva javanica? ؟تويم x Herniaria sp.? ؟غبيرة x Citrullus colocynthis حنظل x Cucumis prophetarum حنيظلالن x Abutilon figarianum قرقدان x Cocculus pendulus خنيق x Phoenix dactylifera نخيل التمر x Convolvulus cephalopodus? ؟خطمي x Cornulaca aucheri الحاذ x Leptadenia pyrotecnica المرخ x Portulaca sp.? ؟بربير x Ogastemma pusillum? ؟الحماط x Seidlitzia rosmarinus? ؟شنان x Unknown Poaceae sp. 1 - x Unknown Poaceae sp. 2 - X Unknown Poaceae sp. 3 - X Filago desertorum? ؟عاك البر X Unknown Heliotropium-like sp. 1 - X Unknown Heliotropium-like sp. 2 - X

Chart 1. Phytosociologycal chart detailing the occurrence of the 43 plant species recorded during the preliminary surveys

The above chart is just preliminary and far from being comprehensive, due to plant phenological issues. Many local

species are missing and some collected specimens could not be identified with the desired accuracy. At the time of survey

(winter), terophyte, geophyte, cryptophyte, and hemicryptophyte species showed none or very few aerial structures.

Only a handful of species, including perennial phanerophytes, had flowers enabling proper taxonomic assessment.


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In Northern and Eastern silty rawdat, a conspicuous peripheral sabkha-like community, dominated by

Amaranthatheae species, typically extended around the tall bushy core of phanerophytes. Ecotonal

(transitional) communities were also common there. In South, pending emergence of seasonal annual plants (if

taking place), the bushy core itself appeared to pose the only plant community (figs. 7-10).

Figs. 7-10. In Northern and Eastern rawdat peripheral sabkha-like communities were well developed (up). In the pictures, perennial

scrubland of Heliotropium bacciferum and Senna italica surrounding a rawda in Ra’s Abrouq (up left), and meadow of annuals

emerging (up right) around rawda in Al-Numan, with Citrullus calocynthis and the perennial Pulicaria undulata. In Southern formations,

though, the surrounding hamad typically extended within the phanerophyte stands (down, right and left).

FAUNA

MAMMALS

Mammals appeared to be abundant in all surveyed rawdat. Footprints of rodents, both bipedal (probably

Jaculus jaculus, صغير مصري يربوع ) and cuadrupedal (Meriones sp./Gerbillus sp.), and small/medium-sized

carnivores (probably foxes or Sand Cats) were found in many locations. Gallery complex of gregarious

rodents, possibly Meriones crassus ( غليظ جرد ), were also abundant, dig on the sediment mounds

accumulating on the base of the large phanerophytes. Such rodents seemed to show preference for Lycium

shawii and Ziziphus nummularia, probably because they offer a better shelter as their spiny branches

typically reach the ground level. This rarely happens with mature Acacia trees, which tend to grow in an

umbrella-shaped crown. Despite they are basically seed predators, rodents also store seeds underground, so

that they could play a key role on the dispersal of some rawdat plants.

None of the rodent burrows seen had signs of having been used in recent times (no fresh feces or

footprints). Perhaps rodent activity decreases during winter time (do they indeed hybernate?).

A couple of large mammal burrows (probably foxes) were found in the Rawdat Units No. 15 and 17.


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In general terms mammal tracks seemed to become more abundant towards South, in the rawdat located

between Al-Ameria and Mazra’at Turayna. This could be a sign of a higher ecological value, although the

prevalence of sandy substrates in those areas could simply have facilitated their accumulation.

Pending more thorough assessments, mammal biodiversity is yet clearly underestimated. It is perhaps the group that

needs the most the application of specific methods for detection and identification.

BIRDS

Bird community appeared to be quite specific to rawdat habitat. It also differed little among locations,

regardless of the phanerophyte species dominating vegetation (see chart 2). In winter time, when the

preliminary surveys were held, a reduced group of thorn-loving species was found to dwell both the bushy

core and the sparse surrounding vegetation. It was comprised by the Arabian Grey Shrike (Lanius aucheri);

two species of warbler, Asian Desert Warbler (Sylvia nana) and Desert Whitethroat (Sylvia minula); and at

least three species of wheatear, Desert Wheatear (Oenanthe deserti), Eastern Mourning Wheatear

(Oenanthe lugens), and Isabelline Wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina). In the ecotonal (transitional) areas two

more species, from the Alaudidae family, became quite abundant: the Desert Lark (Ammomanes deserti) and

the Crested Lark (Galerida cristata). Despite both are able to thrive in the hamad surrounding environment,

they could be attracted to the rawdat borders on the quest of additional resources. In the vicinity of human

settlements, anthropophilic and/or introduced species, such as doves (Streptopelia turtur and S. decaocto),

Grey Francolins (Francolinus pondicerianus), White-eared Bulbuls (Pycnonotus leucotis), and House Sparrows

(Passer domesticus), intrude the original rawdat community.

As from the preliminary surveys, two significant questions emerge:

The role on seed dispersal of fruit-eating wintering species, such as Sylvia nana and Sylvia minula,

should be assessed in further studies. They could be crucial on ensuring propagation of some native

plant species, such as Ziziphus nummularia or Ochradenus baccatus, both seen to be fructifying at

the time of research.

Some anthropophilic/invasive bird species could potentially cause a mismatch on the natural

dynamics of rawdat ecosystem. House Sparrows (Passer domesticus), for example, are well known

“seed predators” that fully assimilate the seeds they forage, and therefore hinder, up to some

extent, plant succession. Similarly, Rose-ringed Parakeets (Psittacula krameri) are able to brake and

damage seeds with their strong beaks. Despite they have not been spotted during the preliminary

surveys referred herein, in previous visits to the area they were reported to occur at least in Al-

Mayeda. The role of doves, francolins and bulbuls should also be assessed in depth.

REPTILES

Burrows and feces of Dabb Lizard (Uromastyx aegypia, مصري ضب ) were abundant in the rawdat of Ra’s

Abrouq area. Curiously, not signs were found in other locations, neither in Northern nor in Southern Qatar.

AMPHIBIANS

In previous visits to the rawda at Al-Mayeda (Rawdat Unit No 1), the Arabian Toad (Duttaphrynus

arabicus) was reported to breed in the puddles created by seasonal rains. It is unknown if such populations

have a natural origin, as the species also occur in the neighbouring farms. Further research is needed

regarding this issue.


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SPECIES ARABIC NAME

LOCATION (rawdat units)

Ziziphus-dom.

Lycium-dominated Acacia-dominated

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

TIME INTERVAL 11:02 13:11

13:36 14:12

6:50 7:48

8:05 8:23

8:28 9:31

9:36 10:13

11:33 11:49

10:56 11:32

10:26 10:55

6:46 7:01

7:07 7:25

7:35 7:48

7:58 8:06

8:36 9:58

10:19 10:26

10:35 10:53

11:24 12:25

NEARBY HUMAN SETTLEMENTS

Francolinus pondicerianus رمادي دراج x Streptopelia senegalensis فاختة النخيل x x Streptopelia decaocto يمامة مطوقة أوراسية x x x Pycnonotus leucotis بلبل أبيض األذن x x x x Passer domesticus دوري شائع x x x Ammomanes deserti قبرة صحراوية x X Galerida cristata قبرة متوجة x x x Lanius aucheri دقناش رمادي جنوبي x x x x x X x Oenanthe lugens أبلق حزين x Oenanthe isabellina أبلق أشهب Oenanthe deserti أبلق صحراوي x X x Sylvia nana دخلة الصحراء X x x

Sylvia minula بيضاء الدخلة

الصحراوية الحنجرة x X x

Sylvia sp. - x x x x x x x x x

Chart 2. Spatial distribution of the birds spotted during surveys. In bold letters, anthropophilic/introduced species

The above chart does not reflect the real bird community of each area, it is just an estimation based on opportunistic

observations made during the field work. Many species may have been overlooked in some locations, due to the distinct

duration of surveys and to the variation of their diel activity patterns. Phenological changes on bird community (i.e.,

seasonal addition of migrating/passage species) would also modify the species list provided here. All this aspects will be

taken into account in the future, when comprehensive surveys take place.

INVERTEBRATES

Despite rawdat have been visited in winter, insect availability seemed to be pretty high. Flies were

common in areas where livestock or wild ungulates occurred, and were particularly attracted by flowering

Ochradenus baccatus. Ant-lion cones (Myrmelontidae) were abundant in deposits of dusty fine sediment.

Several species of moths were spotted, being Utethesia pulchella the most conspicuous in Pulicaria

undulata scrublands of Ra’s Abrouq (Rawdat Unit No 9). Also in Ra’s Abrouq peninsula, the butterfly Vanessa

cardui was seen (Rawdat Unit No 6).

Up to three different species of ants were reported during surveys. A small-sized gregarious ant was

found in a rawda of Mazra’at Turayna area, where it built up clay-like ant nests outstanding the whitish

substrate. Another gregarious ant, this time of slightly larger size, was seen carrying flowers of Lycium shawii

in one rawda of Ra’s Abrouq peninsula (Rawdat Unit No 6). Finally, a solitary ant species was recorded, only

in the rawda around Mazra’at Turayna. Unlike its previous relatives, this had clear morphological and

behavioural adaptations to desert life, moving fast above the ground, with raising abdomen and long legs.

At least two species of Tenebrionidae beetles were reported to dwell rawdat. Adesmia cancellata was

the most abundant, occurring in almost all locations. One specimen belonging to a different species was

found (dead) in one rawda near Mazra’at Turayna (Rawdat Unit No 07), and preserved for later

identification. In previous visits to the same area, the predating carabidae beetle Anthia duodecimgutatta

was also spotted.


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ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

1. Trampling. Driving across vegetation was reported to be frequent. This is a major conservation

issue. Car trampling causes soil compaction, which in turn alters soil chemistry, reduces

permeability, limits microbe activity and hinders seedlings development (see figs. 17-18). Seasonal

microbe blooms are essential part of nutrient cycles, which take place under a very delicate balance

in rawdat ecosystems (see figs. 11-16).

Figs. 11-16. In the upper line, microbe activity in healthy soils of a protected rawda near Al-Numan, within Al-Reem Nature Reserve.

In the middle, detail of three different microbe crusts. On the bottom line, annual grass seedlings emerging from a permeable soil,

which is non-trampled and therefore experiences a rich microbe activity (Al-Numan).


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Only three of the 17 sites were enclosed by protecting structures. In one of them (Rawdat Unit No 2,

in Al-Numan), indeed, the fence gate was found opened, so that visitors were still able to access by

car (see figures 19 and 20).

Figs. 17 & 18. Two pictures illustrating the soil degradation process caused by car trampling. On the left, an early stage, a fresh driving

track over greening vegetation that was reported in Al-Numan, where the fence gate was open and cars could temporarily enter the

site. On the right, a later and hardly reversible stage in Al-Mayeda, which lacked of protective structures.

Figs. 19 & 20. Protective fence in a rawda near Al-Numan (left), which prevents both driving trampling and livestock grazing. On the

right, stone mounds enclosing a rawda in Mara’at Turayna area, which still allow livestock to enter.

2. Livestock grazing. Grazing was reported in rawdat from all three areas (figs. 21-23). Northern

rawdat (Al-Mayeda & Al-Numan) are traditionally grazed by sheep. Southern locations seem to be

more exposed to the action of camels, which during surveys were reported to cause significant

damage on vegetation (figs. 24 and 25). The Eastern rawdat in Ra’s Abrouq are protected from

livestock grazing, but are instead being used by the Arabian Oryxes (Oryx leucoryx, عربية مها ) and

Rhim Ghazelles (Gazella leptoceros, القرون نحيل غزال ) that have been recently released in the park. In

this later case, though, no serious damage was reported on vegetation, perhaps because wild

herbivores display a more leaf-based feeding strategy.

Figs. 21-23. Types of grazing reported during surveys. From left to right: sheep in Al-Numan, Arabian Oryx in Ra’s Abrouq, and camels

in Mazra’at Turayna area.


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Figs. 24 & 25. Damage caused by camels in a rawda near Mazra’at Turayna. On the left, young twig of Acacia ehrenbergiana (salam)

having being chewed and chopped. On the right, old Ziziphus nummularia (sidr) likely to have been grazed until the base.

Fig. 26. This protective fence of Al-Numan, which was build up as part of the conservation efforts taking place in Al-Reem Biosphere

Reserve, has been proven to be an effective barrier against livestock grazing. Note the distinct development of grass cover inside (left)

and outside (right) the fenced area.

3. Human constructions. The construction of human structures in and around rawdat is perhaps the

most significant threat to their conservation, as it poses the total destruction of the habitat. Except

from the rawdat located within Al-Reem Nature Reserve (Al-Numan and Ra’s Abrouq assemblages),

all visited sites were found to be potentially threatened by human settlement, in lower or higher

degree. New constructions, suspicious of not comply with legality, were reported in two of the

rawdat visited (figs. 27 and 28). One of them, in a rawda between Al-Ameria and Mazra’at Turayna

(Rawdat Unit No 14), had started to be built up just within the bushy core vegetation. According to

the Google Earth historic imagery, it had been made in very recent times, somewhen between 21st

October 2014 and 5th November 2015. The second one, near the road connecting Al-Kharrara and

Mazra’at Turayna, stand out for its large extension and for, in appearance, having being paralyzed

long ago. It begun to be made before 2005, but since then no significant progress seems to have

been made.


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Figs. 27 & 28. Two rawdat where suspicious constructions were found. On the left, concrete structure beginning to be built up in

within the core vegetation of Rawdat Unit No 14. On the right, large constructions long paralyzed in a rawda near the road connecting

Al-Kharrara and Mazra’at Turayna.

4. Camping and other recreational activities. Camping in rawdat is a very popular activity practised all

around Qatar during the colder months. It entails, however, some side activities that are particularly

aggressive with the environment and lead to a slow but progressive deterioration of the habitat. The

accumulation of trash is the most obvious of all, but there are also other issues, such as trampling

caused by tents and vehicles, and wood cutting for bonfires, that must also be taken into account.

Existing regulations on camping and other public uses are yet to be effectively implemented.

Camping, barbecuing and trash littering were reported even within the protected areas, such as Al-

Reem Biosphere Reserve (see figs. 29 and 30).

Figs. 29 & 30. Banned activities were reported even within protected areas, such as this rawda in Al-Numan (Al-Reem Biosfere

Reserve), in which the fence gate was found open. On the right, a picture illustrating, in just one frame, the damage caused on the

ecosystem by non-regulated outdoor activities: bonfire, trash and tent remains (same rawda in Al-Numan).

report no 1. preliminary report on rawdhat biodiversity (dec 2015)

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