Vol. 28 Issue 2

AMA LAhmed, MAAI Kuriji, SM Kheir, and AA Al Zahrni
This study was conducted in Al Bahah Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the period from March 2004 to February. 2006, to determine mosquitoes fauna and their abundance. Results showed that there are 19 mosquito species belonging to four genera. The identified species include Aedes vexans arabiensis, Ae. caspius, Ae. aegypti, Anopheles cinereus, An. d'thali, An. stephensi, An. subpictus, An. turkhudi, Culex laticinctus, Cx. perexiguus, Cx. pipiens, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. sinai/icLls, Cx. theileri, Cx. tigripes, Cx. torrentium, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, Cx. univittatus and Culiseta longiareolata. Most larvae identified belonged to Culex sp. (50.35%), followed by Anopheles spp. (38.41 %) and Culiseta sp. (11.24%). The results showed no significant correlation between total dissolved salts (TDS) and pH of the water and the distribution of different mosquito larvae species. Adult mosquitoes were collected throughout the year, but at different magnitudes, depending on prevailing climatic conditions. Adult population began to increase in April to May with the increase in temperature at the end of the winter season, reaching a peak in June, with an average temperature of 29° C and average monthly rainfall below 10 mm. However, the population density of adults declined gradually in the period between August and September, reaching minimum density in November with an average temperature of about 18° C. This study confirmed the presence of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, the main vector of Rift Valley fever, in Al Bahah Region for the first time. The presence of this disease vector constitutes a major health problem, and every effort should be made to control it. The results of this study have shown that mosquitoes are widespread in Al Bahah Region. Further studies on their medical impact and vectorial capacity in disease transmission are required.

Jacob Tomas, Ahmed Hamad AI-Farhan, M. sivadasan, B. Samraoui and N. Bukhari
This Floristic affinities of the Angiosperm flora of Farasan Archipelago are analyzed. Phytogeographically, it is an interesting area due to its location between a flOlistically rich North East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. As per the current estimates, 201 species of higher plants belonging to 49 families are present in an area of less than 600 km2 . Among these 2.S% are regional endemics and IS (7 .S%) species are, so far, not reported from any other parts of the Arabian Peninsula. The endangered flora of the archipelago is of conservation concern, which is poorly recognized, both nationally and internationally. Populations of some of the locally endangered species are represented by 100-S00 individuals distributed in less than S km2 . Among these Euphorbia collenetteae Al-Zahran and El-Karemy, an endemic species seen in limited numbers. The entire estimated degree of occurrence of this species is approximately less than 40 km2 , with the actual area of occupancy being less than 10 km2. Since the topography, climate and the overall vegetation of these islands are more or less similar to that of the southwestern coastal regions of the Arabian Peninsula and the area lies within the Somalia-Masai regional centre of endemism (phytogeographical region), the majority of species are of African origin. Yet, islands also contain a significant number of other species that shape the vegetation of the Tihama Region of Jizan (Jazan) Province in the mainland. A detailed analysis carried out on various life-forms shows that the highest percentage share of species (38.46%) is with the Somali-Masai phytogeographical zone, followed by Tropical African (2S .64%) and Saharo-Arabian (16.02%) phytogeographical zones.

Jameel Alkhuzai, Qaher Mandeel, and Abdulameer Al-Laith
A semi-structured questionnaire on the use of medicinal plants in the Kingdom of Bahrain was conducted. The objectives were to (1) determine to what extent herbal plants are used in folk medicine in Bahrain, and (2) compare the results of this study with the results of a previously conducted questionnaire from 1992. Results show that 95.3% of the respondents use herbal plants for medication. However, only 9.9% of males and 6.8% of females collect herbal medicinal plants from the local environment. The results show that 70% of the utilized plants are native while the rest are either introduced cultivated plants or imported from other countries. Also, the results show that the highest number of plants (six species) were used to treat wounds (e.g. Portulaca oleracea L.), and as diuretics (e.g. Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav.). Many diseases were treated by one plant species each, including asthma (Datura fastusa L.), and smallpox (Peganwn hrmala L.). The top ailments are stomach upset, followed by constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia and cold symptoms like cough.

Jameel Alkhuzai, Abdulameer AI-Laith, and Qaher Mandeel
The use of plants in traditional medicine is well-documented in the archives of folk medicine of the Arab region. These, however, mainly report medicinal uses and forms of medication. This study examines the perception of uses as well as knowledge, attitude, and practice by Bahraini people from an ethnobotanical prospective in relation to gender and few other socio-cultural factors. A pre-structured questionnaire consisting of 22 questions was distributed on the major islands of Bahrain among 312 native Bahraini people. Data was analyzed using SPSS statistical software. The results show that 95.3% of respondents used medicinal plants and 57% are knowledgeable in herbal medicine. gap between the use and knowledge values indicated loss of knowledge within the Bahraini population. Both males (75%) and females (82.7%) believe that women are the largest users of medicinal plants. The results also show that 42.3% of females compared to 27.8% of males use medicinal plants frequently or always. Both males and females use these plants to treat ailments related to different organs of the body, particularly the skin and the ear, nose, and throat (ENT). However, eye diseases and piles were the conditions least treated for: 5.6% and 7.2% of males, and 4.9% and 4.4% of females, respectively. No difference was found between males and females in relation to attitude and willingness to use medicinal plants.

Walid Saleh, Reem Abed-Rabboh and Amjad M Shraim
Most villages in the Syrian Arab Republic with populations less than 5000 inhabitantslack adequate wastewater disposal systems. These villages depend on individual household cesspits to discharge domestic wastewater. This has resulted in contamination of groundwater resources where groundwater is utilized for dringing purposes without treatment. Farmers in these villages use chemical and organic (manure) fertilizers in large quantities which has also led to further contamination of groundwater, in particular,with nitrates. To assess the groundwater nitrate contamination in some villages in Syria, a village called Al-Rihan has been selected for this study. This village has a population of 8000 and is located in the Douma area of the Damascus countryside. Nitrate concentrations in 15 water wells from this village have been monitored for five (5) months (March-July, 2002). The measured nitrate concentrations (as N03-) are as follows: range 40-122 mg/L, mean 55 mg/L and standard deviation 15 mg/L (N 75). More than 95% of the studied wells were found to contain a nitrate concentration greater than the permissible level. The major sources of nitrate contamination in the monitored water wells have been identified as: individual household cesspits, use of treated municipal wastewater for irrigation and unregulated use of fertilizers.

Mohamed AI-Barbi and Mohamed Ait Relaid
The study focuses on examining Fish kill Phenomenon using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) techniques to investigating relationships between biophysical indicators (SST, PH, DO, chlorophyll, ammonia, phosphate) in Kuwait Bay. The study was based on analyzing two satellite images Landsat-TM, taken in 1999 and 2003 and the database composed by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) marine data/observations taken in August, September, and October of 1999,2000 and 2001. The methodology consists of four phases: 1) a geographical study of Kuwait Bay; 2) statistical analysis of the biophysical indicator database; 3) satel1ite imagery processing using RS techniques; and finally 4) Integration of RS results with biophysical indicator database using GIS techniques. The first phase revealed that Kuwait Bay has suffered from many environmental challenges. Phase two pointed out that SST has exceeded the maximum standard average, while DO at the opposite exceeded the minimum standard average. The third phase, analyzing images using ERDAS Imagine software, produced two land use!cover maps for 1999 and 2003 with statistical inventory of land use. Changes occurrINGed between 1999 and 2003 were estimated using ArcGIS software. The same process was replased using image differencing technique, proving deep water areas have decreased and shallow water areas increased in the south of Kuwait Bay. These specific areas are characterized also by high SST and low DO, and simultaneously correspond to locations of fish kill accidents happening in 1999 due to "Red Tide" and in of 200 1 due to "Streptococcus Bacteria". In conclusion, the study proved integrating GIS and RS techniques, along with biophysical indicators suitable for handling and monitoring the fish kill phenomenon in Kuwait Bay.