Application of Mathematical Models in Management and Use of Candidate Wild Plants for Restoration of Degraded Lands in the Arab Gulf Region PDF

Keywords

Qatar, wild plants, terrestrial ecosystems

Abstract

In recent years, there has been growing interest in studying local plants as a substitute for introduced species to be used in restoration of degraded lands in the Gulf region. The terrestrial ecosystems suffer strong degradation caused either by rapid social agricultural and industrial developments or natural resource explorations. There is a critical need to start the restoration programs by using local wild plants which have adapted to the prevailing environmental conditions. The studied species, Zygophyllum qatarense (Hadidi) has wide ecological amplitude and is widespread in almost all terrestrial habitat types of Qatar. The use of theoretical models in the form of equations, illustrated graphs or matrices are useful and non-destructive tools to study, assess and manage the plant populations for degraded ecosystems restoration. These models provide: i) a satisfactory description and monitoring of natural and experimental plant populations; ii) an enlightenment on aspects of population dynamics; and iii) a system which can be incorporated into complex models. The application of exponential and sigmoid growth equations, transition matrix, life table and fecundity schedule indicated the possibility of using Zygophyllum qatarense as a local species for restoration programs of degraded terrestrial ecosystems in the Gulf region. The results showed that this species has high reproductive rates in different adult age classes, long life span lasts for more than one generation, increased survivorship and future expectations of life. This is beside its wide ecological amplitude, drought and salinity tolerance.