The Plant Communities of Oman’s Central Coastline: A Baseline Ecological Assessment amid Rising Threats

In recent decades, the botanical knowledge within the Sultanate of Oman has advanced considerably. However, the coastal vegetation is comparatively understudied with much of the country’s extensive coastline still undocumented. This is despite Oman’s coast being faced with a plethora of threats including development, overgrazing and the invasive species Neltuma juliflora. This study presents the first comprehensive botanical assessment of Oman’s central coastline, a region of global importance due to the high proportion of endemic floral species. We aimed to investigate species composition, determine the main floral communities and analyse factors affecting species richness to establish a baseline for future conservation and management efforts. Thirty-three sites along the central coast, between Shannah and Sawqirah, as well as Masirah Island, were surveyed. A total of 94 plant taxa were documented, 17 of which were national Red List species. Hierarchical clustering identified six floral communities and PERMANOVAs confirmed significant differences in species composition. Indicator species analysis also determined species indicative of each community type. Species richness was significantly affected by habitat type, plant community, soil type and the presence of N. juliflora. Sandy gravel plains and sand/gravel/clay soils supported the highest species richness likely due to greater habitat heterogeneity. Species richness was notably high around Masirah Island, as well as sites featuring coastal escarpments which supported a higher proportion of endemic species. These results highlight priority areas for conservation. Targeted monitoring and habitat protection are urgently needed to safeguard this region’s unique and threatened flora.