Jiddat al-Harasis


Jiddat al-Harasis is a stony desert in south-central Oman, separating northern Oman from Dhufar. The largest strewn field of meteorites in the country is situated here. Over 160 bird species, including the endangered houbara bustard, are found here, as well as Arabian oryx and Arabian gazelle. The area was not permanently inhabited until the 19th century with the arrival of the Harasis.

Geography

Jiddat al-Harasis covers an area of about in an elevation range of. The area is delimited by an escarpment of height on the east with the Huquf depression adjoining it. This area is hemmed between the Arabian Sea and the Janabah Hills, which rise to a height of. The Arabian Sea forms Jiddat's eastern and southern borders. The geology is predominantly Miocene karst limestone. Older geological features include 300 million year old glacial pavements which are well preserved given their age.

Climate

The Southwest Monsoon and coastal fog both occur at Jiddat al-Harasis; the average annual rainfall in the southeastern region is approximately. Rainfall, which is low, occurs during the monsoon season from June to October. Due to foggy conditions, humidity is noted to rise in the area. The desertic climate has summer temperatures above with July recording a high mean temperature of. During winter months the temperatures drops to. Fog moisture and dew cause rain during the nights, particularly during the months of October to April. This precipitation sustains vegetation and wildlife in the area, despite very low rainfall throughout the year.

Meteorites

Oman is one of the rare places on Earth where a number of lunar meteorites have been found. The largest strewn field of meteorites in the country is situated in Jiddat al-Harasis. According to the Meteoritical Bulletin of the International Society for Meteorites and Planetary Science there are 3,116 recorded meteorites from Oman out of which 1,385 are in Jiddat al-Harasis area; 41 approved meteorites are classified as Lunar meteorites. The "Jiddat al Harasis 348" sample found in 2006, was recovered at Al Wusta in Jiddat weighing 18.4 g, a Lunar feldspathic fragmental breccia. It is described as a "complete stone with no remaining fusion crust".

Flora

Jiddat al-Harasis has "pseudo-savannah" vegetation with Acacia trees growing in the desert washes and occasional herbs and shrubs outside the washes. The vegetation is sparse and limited to areas where sand has accumulated and rock gaps. Common trees are Acacia tortilis and Acacia ehrenbergiana associated with ghaf ; the trees are important shade plants for the Arabian oryx. Low shrubs and ephemeral grasses are sparsely distributed. Shrubs recorded are Tephrosia apollinea, Crotalaria aegyptiaca and Ochradenus harsusiticus which is an endemic species. Many species of grass, including Lycium shawii, and species of Zygophyllum and Stipagrostis also grow there. Lichen grow on the dead branches of trees. The desert grades into Arabian sand dunes along the cold water coastal zone.

Fauna

The Arabian oryx, Oryx leucoryx, an indigenous herbivorous mammal, lived in Jiddat al-Harasis until 1972 when they were considered extinct in the wild. In 1981 the San Diego Wild Animal Park sent five oryxes to the Oman Mammal Breeding Center, where they were released into the wild. Five years later, the International Union for Conservation of Nature proposed a national nature reserve in a section measuring. The population of oryxes at this site reached a high of 450 in 1996 but later dwindled due to poaching and habitat destruction; as of 2007 only 65 individuals were identified, including only four breeding pairs, making the future viability of this wild population uncertain.
Other species recorded throughout are caracal, wild cat and ratel; hares and hedgehogs are common, while the Arabian wolf is a rare species. Arabian red fox, Rüppell’s sand fox, and Nubian ibex are also reported. Reptile species recorded are grey monitor lizard, Uromastyx species, horned viper, carpet viper, hooded malpolon, sand snake, cat snake, skinks, agamids, and geckos. Rodents are also found.
Bird species reported are 168 including the endangered houbara bustard found in the regions where saline and brackish springs exist. Resident and migrating waders, gulls, terns, flamingoes, herons and many species of duck are seen during the winter season in the lagoons bordering Jiddat al-Harasis.