English abstract
Vegetation ecology of Al Mouj Golf Course (GC) was assessed with reference to different management zones (high roughs, medium roughs and fairway/tee-boxes) and compared to adjacent outside areas. The conservation potential for native flora, especially halophytes was evaluated and the user perception on the course as a nature reserve was surveyed using questionnaire methodology. The golf course was surveyed twice during this study and vegetation were identified and characterized. Vegetation across different zones in six transect lines was studied using plot methodology. Health assessment of the vegetation was direct using subjective and descriptive ordinal scales. A total 77 plant species from 32 different families were identified in Al Mouj GC compared to 19 different species from 11 different families in the outside areas. Sixty four (64) species are native and the remaining 13 are exotics. This number of species indicated the species richness and diversity of flora in Al Mouj GC compared to the outside areas. Twenty seven (27) different halophytic species were identified in Al Mouj GC while only seven (7) species were identified in the outside areas. Therefore, Al Mouj GC can be an oasis for halophytes and help in their conservation. Higher number of species and diversity were always associated with high and medium roughs than fairway/tee-boxes zones, indicating the ecological importance of these zones. Vegetation in Al Mouj GC was much healthier than the vegetation in the outside areas, which were severely impacted by humans and animals. The questionnaire results showed high interest from users of the golf course towards biodiversity, conservation, wildlife and sustainability. Al Mouj GC constitutes an epitome refugium for native flora and could play an important role in nature conservation programs if managed and monitored sustainably.
