Land Degradation in the Sultanate of Oman: Reasons and Intervention Measures - Combating Desertification in Asia, Africa and the Middle East - page 391

1.3.10 Umm-As-Samim Sabkha

This is a large flooded depression collecting drainage waters from the western part
of the Northern interior plain.
Soils and groundwater are extremely saline, hence preventing any cultivation

1.3.11 Sand Dune Areas

These are large areas of sand dunes. They occur extensively in the western part of
the country in the Rub Al Khali and the Wahiba sands area.
Cultivation is very scarce because of unsuitable soils and sand blowing. Grazing
is widespread, especially in semi-fixed dunes where a relatively dense bush and tree
cover may occur.

2 Causes of Desertification

2.1 Physical Factors

On the basis of the climate and physiographical features of the Oman, the cause of
desertification are as follow:

(i) The climate, which characterized, by a low and erratic rainfall, high tempera-
tures, and occasional storm leading to the sand drifts, and soil erosion
(ii) Water scarcity, which considers the most critical resource in the Sultanate,
at Present and future (due to water misuse in agriculture, over exploitation
of aquifers which led to severe salination of the cultivated lands in Batinah
Plains).
(iii) Sand drifting, which represent serious problems over areas adjacent to Wahiba
Sands and in the plains and wadis of Dakhliya (interior), Wusta, and Southern
Regions. The advance of Wahiba Sand dunes are hazardous to roads and other
installations near them. No information about the agricultural and grazing areas
effected with the sand burial.
(iv) Overgrazing, which is common all over the Sultanate, and more severe in the
Southern Region.
(v) Expatriate labor, in the agriculture sector, which is considered to be the main
obstacle for agricultural development.
(vi) Over-pumping of water which leads to salination of groundwater particularly
in the Batinah Coast.