Climate change threatens Oman's agricultural biodiversity, warns expert

Observer

07-03-2025

MUSCAT: Global warming and the resulting climate change can severely impact Oman's agricultural biodiversity, a leading Omani environmental expert has warned.
Dr Malik al Wardy, Director of the Center for Environmental Studies and Research (CESAR) at Sultan Qaboos University, raised the alarm about climate-induced disruptions for the Sultanate at the Oman Climate Week forum held in Muscat recently, under the auspices of the Environment Authority.
Taking part in a panel discussion on the theme, 'Preserving Biodiversity and Eco-Systems: Protecting Natural Habitats in a Changing Climate', Dr Al Wardy outlined the challenges faced by Oman's unique ecosystems, including its desert, mountain, and coastal habitats.
"Oman is a hyper-arid country with average annual rainfall of less than 100 millimetres. Any change in precipitation patterns has a significant impact on our biodiversity and natural habitats," Dr Al Wardy said.
He emphasised that the country's agricultural systems, especially those reliant on the coastal regions where the best soils exist, are particularly vulnerable to climate change.
According to the expert, recent studies have shown that Oman's agricultural biodiversity is being threatened by several factors, including rising temperatures and decreasing precipitation. In one such scenario, temperatures in some parts of Oman could increase by four to five degrees Celsius by the year 2100, he noted.
Additionally, minimum night-time temperatures are rising at a faster rate than daytime highs, negatively affecting vegetation in mountain ecosystems, particularly species like the juniper tree in Al Jabal Al Akhdar. "These species, unique to the Gulf region, are struggling to regenerate due to the increasing temperatures, particularly during the night," he pointed out.
Likewise, Oman's water resources will also be imperiled by rising temperatures. A decrease in precipitation and an increase in evaporation rates have already caused a drop in aquifer levels, exacerbating water scarcity. In coastal areas, where much of Oman's agricultural activity takes place, sea level rise and saltwater intrusion have further degraded water quality, undermining agricultural productivity.
Significantly, global warming impacts will impact the north and south of the country differently. 'We must remember that Oman's climate varies across regions. The north experiences different weather patterns compared to the far south, which is influenced by monsoons during the summer. It's crucial to consider how specific regions will be affected, how natural habitats will respond to climate impacts, and how the country's biodiversity will be affected,' he said
The studies stress the need for adaptation strategies to protect Oman's agricultural biodiversity. Dr Al Wardy emphasized the importance of climate-resilient crops to ensure food security in the face of changing climate conditions. He also pointed to the necessity of integrated approaches to managing land and water resources, especially in regions most impacted by climate change.
Also taking part in the panel discussion were: Maan Iskandar, Director – Green Energy & Env Policy, Aramco; Dr Hany el Shaer, Regional Director – IUCN ROWA; Liam McCann – UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs; Dr Guillem Banc-Prandi, Scientific Director – Transnational Red Sea Center; and Andrea Kutter, Senior Natural Resources Management Specialist – World Bank Group. Dr Thuraya Said al Sariri, Assistant DG of Nature Conservation, Environment Authority, was the session moderator.