#oman desert map

[omansafaritours-blog]

Exploring the Magic of Desert Safari in Oman Adventures and More

What Desert is in Oman

In Oman, the expansive and charming desert that sparks the creativity of vacationers is none apart from the famend Wahiba Sands, a most reliable destination for an exhilarating barren region Desert safari in Oman. Encompassing approximately 12,500 square kilometres of the country’s terrain, Wahiba Sands, also known as Sharqiyah Sands or the “Sahara of Arabia,” consists of rolling waves of golden dunes that seem limitless. This exquisite desert is a crucial detail of Oman’s natural beauty, providing traffic with an opportunity to witness the pristine and unspoiled grandeur of the Arabian Peninsula. Its towering dunes, with a few reaching extraordinary heights of up to one hundred metres, create a surreal backdrop for exciting desert safaris in Oman and unforgettable adventures. Whether or not you are looking for the adrenaline rush of dune bashing, the serenity of a camel experience, or the enchantment of a desolate tract camp underneath the starry night time sky, Wahiba Sands assures an authentic desert experience this is exceptional.

II. Discovering the Desert Safari in Oman

A. What is a desert safari?

A Desert safari is a thrilling expedition into the arid and captivating wilderness of Oman. It’s a chance to explore the untouched beauty of Oman’s deserts, offering a unique blend of adventure, culture, and natural wonder.

B. Unique features of desert safaris in Oman

Oman desert safaris are famed for his or her authenticity and untouched landscapes. Unlike some other tourist locations, Oman’s wilderness safaris retain their raw beauty, allowing guests to hook up with nature in its purest shape.

C. Popular desert safari destinations in Oman

Wahiba Sands: called the “Sahara of Arabia,” Wahiba Sands is famous for its towering sand dunes and excellent red sand. It is a photographer’s paradise and a haven for adventure enthusiasts.

Rub’ al Khali (The Empty Quarter): The largest continuous sand desert in the world, the Rub’ al Khali offers an otherworldly experience with vast, undulating dunes that seem to stretch on forever.

Dhofar Desert: Located in southern Oman, the Dhofar Desert is a unique desert ecosystem that turns lush and green during the Khareef (monsoon) season, offering a distinct experience.

D. Desert safari activities

Dune bashing: Buckle up for an adrenaline-pumping ride as skilled drivers navigate the sand dunes, creating an exhilarating roller-coaster-like experience.

Camel rides: Travel back in time and explore the desert at a leisurely pace atop these gentle giants, immersing yourself in the desert’s serenity.

Sandboarding: Slide down the dunes on a sandboard, a thrilling activity that combines the rush of snowboarding with the warmth of the desert sands.

Stargazing in the desert: As night falls, the desert sky becomes a canvas for an awe-inspiring celestial display. Witness the brilliance of the stars while nestled in the desert’s tranquillity.

E. The cultural aspect of desert safaris

Bedouin experiences: Interact with the nearby Bedouin communities, gaining perception into their traditional manner of existence, storytelling, and hospitality.

Traditional Omani delicacies: Savour genuine Omani dishes, such as Shuwa (gradual-cooked lamb) and Maqbous (spiced rice), as you dine beneath the starlit barren region sky.

III. Safari Desert Camps in Oman

A. What is a desert camp?

A Desert camp is a unique accommodation option in Oman’s deserts that allows you to immerse yourself fully in the desert experience.

B. Types of desert camps in Oman

Luxury desert camps: These camps offer a touch of opulence in the midst of the desert, with well-appointed tents, gourmet dining, and spa services.

Traditional desert camps: For a more authentic experience, traditional desert camps provide comfortable yet rustic accommodations that mirror the traditional Bedouin lifestyle.

C. Facilities and amenities at desert camps

Accommodation options: Whether you choose a luxury or traditional camp, expect comfortable beds, en-suite facilities, and breathtaking desert views from your tent.

Dining and entertainment: Desert camps serve delectable Omani cuisine and often feature live music, dance performances, and cultural presentations.

Guided activities: expert guides lead desert walks, natural world recognizing, and informative talks about the desolate tract’s vegetation, fauna, and history.

D. Unique experiences at desert camps

Sunset and sunrise views: Witness the desert’s changing hues as the sun dips below the dunes at dusk and paints the sky with shades of gold at dawn.

Campfires and storytelling: Gather around a campfire under a canopy of stars and listen to captivating stories and legends of the desert.

Desert photography opportunities: Capture the magic of Oman’s desert landscapes with your camera, creating lasting memories of your journey.

Read More » The Best of Muscat in a Day: A City Tour for First-Timers

IV. Planning Your Oman Adventure: Tours and Packages

A. The significance of guided tours in Oman

Guided tours play a crucial role in helping travellers navigate Oman’s diverse terrain and cultural nuances, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience.

B. Types of Oman tour packages

Desert safari packages: Tailored for adventure seekers, these packages focus on the desert safari experience.

Cultural tours: Immerse yourself in Oman’s rich heritage by exploring historic forts, souks, and traditional villages.

Adventure tours: For thrill-seekers, adventure tours offer activities like hiking, rock climbing, and water sports in Oman’s rugged landscapes.

C. Inclusions and exclusions in tour packages

knowledge of what is included, consisting of motels, food, and activities, is critical in choosing the proper package deal that suits your choices and finances.

D. Tailoring your Oman tour to your preferences

Many tour operators provide customization options, permitting you to tailor your Oman adventure to your interests, whether it’s natural world, tradition, or rest.

Read More » A Luxurious Salalah Tour from Muscat: Unveiling the Arabian Gem

V. Finding the Right Travel Agency in Oman

A. The role of a travel agency in trip planning

Journey groups in Oman serve as your local specialists, providing treasured insights, planning assistance, and logistical aid to make your adventure memorable.

B. How to choose the right travel agency

Reputation and reviews: Research agencies with positive reviews and a solid reputation for delivering exceptional travel experiences.

Expertise and experience: Seek agencies with in-depth knowledge of Oman and a track record of organising successful tours.

Customization options: Choose agencies that offer flexibility in crafting an itinerary that aligns with your interests.

C. Benefits of using a local travel agency in Oman

Local agencies have intimate knowledge of Oman’s hidden gems, cultural nuances, and can provide valuable insights that enhance your trip.

D. Testimonials from travellers who used a travel agency in Oman

Finding out about the encounters of different explorers who have involved neighbourhood travel services in Oman can offer important bits of knowledge and genuine serenity.

VI. Conclusion

In summary, Oman presents itself as a versatile travel destination, catering to a wide range of interests and preferences among travellers. Whether it’s the captivating desert safaris in Oman that unveil the unspoiled grandeur of Oman’s terrain, the enchanting desert camps for a unique experience, or the ease and insights offered by guided tours, Oman assures an expedition brimming with marvel and excitement. As you prepare for your voyage, it’s worth contemplating the involvement of a well-regarded travel agency to ensure you maximize your experiences in this captivating Arabian haven. Explore the wonders of Desert Safari Oman and other incredible adventures that await in this diverse and beautiful country.

[mapsontheweb]

Percentage of desert in the countries of the Arabian peninsula.

by @Maps_interlude

[mayadaelgabry]

discover Muscat's historical

Muscat, the capital city of Oman, is a fascinating destination that combines modernity with a rich historical heritage. With its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality, Muscat attracts travelers from all over the world. This article will highlight some of the iconic archaeological sites in Muscat that make it a must-visit place for tourists.

One of the best ways to discover Muscat's historical treasures is through TUI excursions. TUI offers a variety of guided tours that take visitors on a journey through Oman's remarkable past. These excursions provide an in-depth exploration of the city's ancient landmarks, offering valuable insights into Oman's history and culture.

One of the most famous sites in Muscat is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. This architectural masterpiece is a symbol of modern Islamic art and design. With its stunning chandeliers, intricate carvings, and vast prayer hall, the mosque leaves visitors in awe. Non-Muslim visitors are welcome to explore the mosque's beauty and learn about Islam's principles and practices.

Another remarkable historical site is the Royal Opera House Muscat. This magnificent structure showcases Oman's commitment to the arts and culture. With its exquisite architecture and state-of-the-art facilities, the Royal Opera House hosts world-class performances and events, attracting renowned artists from around the globe.

For those interested in Oman's maritime history, a visit to the National Museum of Oman is a must. This museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts and exhibits that showcase the country's seafaring past. From traditional boats to ancient maps, visitors can delve into Oman's rich maritime heritage and gain a deeper understanding of its role as a major trading hub in the region.

A trip to Muscat is incomplete without exploring the historic forts scattered across the city. Among the most prominent forts is Al Jalali Fort, perched atop a rocky hill overlooking the sea. This fort once served as a defensive stronghold and is now open to the public, offering panoramic views of Muscat's coastline. Another notable fort is Al Mirani Fort, located nearby, which also offers stunning vistas and a glimpse into the city's military history.

To experience the traditional Omani way of life, a visit to Mutrah Souq is highly recommended. This bustling marketplace is a sensory delight, filled with an array of goods such as textiles, spices, jewelry, and traditional handicrafts. Navigating through its narrow alleys, visitors can immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere and indulge in the Omani hospitality.

Muscat is a gateway to the wonders of Oman, and there are numerous tour packages available to explore the country further. Oman tour packages offered by various travel agencies provide an opportunity to discover the natural beauty of Oman's deserts, mountains, and coastline. These packages often include visits to historic sites like the ancient city of Nizwa, the majestic Wahiba Sands, and the stunning Wadi Shab.

With its blend of historical sites, cultural experiences, and natural landscapes, Muscat and its surrounding areas offer a diverse range of attractions for travelers. Whether it's exploring ancient forts, delving into maritime history, or venturing into the Omani wilderness, Muscat provides a captivating journey that will leave visitors with lasting memories.

In conclusion, Muscat is a treasure trove of historical sites and landmarks, offering a unique blend of modernity and tradition. Through TUI excursions and Oman tour packages, travelers can embark on a journey to explore Muscat's rich heritage and delve into the country's fascinating history. From grand mosques to ancient forts, Muscat is a destination that appeals to history enthusiasts and culture seekers alike. So pack your bags, immerse yourself in the wonders of Muscat, and experience the allure of Oman's past and present.

[emiratesviisa]

5 Best Places To Visit In The UAE That's Not Dubai

Everyone often discusses traveling to Dubai when discussing the United Arab Emirates, but what about the rest of the country? There are seven Emirates in the United Arab Emirates and you need an emirates visa to explore, however, only Dubai and occasionally Abu Dhabi are frequently mentioned by tourists. To alter that, we are here.

In this guide, we'll highlight all the fantastic tourist spots in the United Arab Emirates that aren't in Dubai and are perfect for people wishing to explore the country in a unique way or who want to take day trips from Dubai. Here are the top 5 day trips from Dubai without further ado, but first, let's have a look at where these locations are located on the map below:

Hatta

For those seeking to escape the modernity and extravagance of Dubai and be surrounded by desert mountains, jagged peaks, and traditional villages, Hatta, a mountainous region east of Dubai close to the border between the UAE and Oman, is one of the most well-liked tourist destinations outside of Dubai. You can spend some time at Hatta learning about the way of life of the locals, what it was like in the past, and how they managed to survive in the absence of many modern conveniences at Hatta Heritage Village. You can take a free tour of this classic model village while learning about the past.

You also have the option of going on a short trek up the North and South Towers of Hatta, which will allow you to fully appreciate how beautiful the surrounding area is. The best part is that at dusk, you can drive up to Hatta Dam, get a kayak, and paddle around the breathtakingly blue river while being encircled by the craggy hills of Hatta. You wouldn't anticipate having such a bizarre encounter in a desert nation like the UAE. A fairly simple roadway takes around an hour and a half to get there from Dubai.

Jebel Jais & Ras Al Khaimah

Jebel Jais, the UAE's tallest mountain, is the ideal destination if you're looking to engage in adventurous activities. Even in the height of summer, Jebel Jais, at 1,934 m, is a fantastic destination to visit as a day trip from Dubai. One of the most picturesque drives in the UAE is to Jebel Jais, and once you get there, you'll be surrounded by breathtaking desert peaks and mountains you didn't realize the UAE visa was home to.

The longest zipline in the world is located at Jebel Jais, where you can fly across canyons at speeds of nearly 95 mph on a 9,284-foot (2.82 km) long zipline (150 km per hour). Nothing could be more extreme than that! Tickets for the Jebel Jais zipline can be purchased here. The greatest time to visit Jebel Jais is during the gorgeous sunset, and there is a lovely rest stop up there where you can enjoy food while doing so. Alternatively, you can embark on a climb and ascend the highest accessible point there to catch the sunset.

Make sure to stop in Ras Al Khaimah, the capital of the emirate with the same name, both on the way there and on the way back. It is absolutely worthwhile to visit places like the Dhayah Fort and the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah.

Fujairah

Another fantastic day excursion from Dubai is to Fujairah. This tranquil town, which is situated on the east coast of the Indian Ocean, is home to many undiscovered hidden gem attractions, such as a fantastic mosque that no one knows about, lovely forts, and breathtaking dams for you to revel in.

Your visit to Fujairah will undoubtedly be highlighted by a visit to the Grand Sheikh Zayed Mosque. The large mosque has four minarets on each side and a domed prayer hall, similar to the architecture of mosques you frequently see in Turkey. The mosque's interior, which features stunning patterns and a large chandelier in the middle, is just as striking as its exterior and befits its status as a grand mosque.

If you enjoy historic desert forts like those that are frequently seen in this region of the world, namely in Oman, Fujairah Fort is another fantastic location to explore. After traveling farther north, you will reach Khor Fakkan, where you may go hiking along the renowned Al Rabi Hiking Trail or see attractions like the Al Rafisah Dam. The distance between Fujairah and Khor Fakkan is easily covered in a single day, and the two best methods to get there are to rent a car in Dubai or go with a group. More tours are available here after you’ll get an online Emirates visa.

Abu Dhabi

There is no need for me to introduce Abu Dhabi. The beautiful Mosque Of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan the First, one of the largest mosques in the world, is located in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. If you are visiting the UAE, you absolutely must go there. Other fantastic tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi include Ferrari World, a sizable motor racing theme park ideal for families, and the Louvre, a museum filled with exceptional worldwide art collections similar to the one in Paris.

You need to take a full day to fully appreciate Abu Dhabi's uniqueness. Definitely not another Dubai, this place. Its severe COVID requirement, which requires visitors from outside the emirate to carry a negative PCR test that is no older than 14 days, explains why it is not as high on the list. You should be alright if you are traveling to Dubai from overseas and departing for Abu Dhabi within the allotted 14 days, but if you are already a resident of Dubai, you will always need to undergo a PCR test in order to enter Abu Dhabi.

These limitations prevented many of my local friends from visiting Abu Dhabi's tourist attractions, so bear that in mind while making travel plans as you’ll require an Emirates tourist visa. The best method to get to Abu Dhabi is to rent a car in Dubai or take a tour that is pre-planned, which will help you with the stringent PCR-test regulations that are currently in place.

Al Ain

Last but not least, Al Ain, also known as the city of gardens or the oasis of the Emirati desert, is still another location you ought to visit. The UAE's founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, spent a large portion of his life in this little city. You can go inside the Sheikh's former home at the Al Ain Palace Museum in Al Ain to get a sense of how modest life was before the discovery of oil and the influx of money.

Additionally, you may drive up to Jebel Hafeet for a breathtaking perspective of the city, visit Al Jahili Fort, and observe how camels are exchanged at the camel market. Because Al Ain is a part of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, the PCR-test regulations also apply to it. As a result, you should have the results ready before visiting Al Ain. You can take a tour of Al Ain or rent a car in Dubai to travel there.

Here they are the top 5 destinations outside of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. In the UAE, are you prepared to venture off the usual path? Please don't hesitate to ask me any questions about these locations if you have.

[omanvacation]

The Best Ways to Drive Fly and Sail in Oman

The breathtaking landscapes of Oman are the main attractions of this country.

And to truly appreciate the rose-gold desert dunes, trails through mountainous terrain, white-sand beaches, sleepy fishing villages, and rocky valleys with turquoise pools, the best way to explore is by car.

While Oman's public transport system of buses and ferries will take you between major cities and towns, a private trip is recommended if you want to venture deeper in search of nature experiences as hiking, scuba diving or snorkeling are likely the highlights of any trip.

As well as accessing remote areas of the country, traveling by car in Oman gives you flexibility in your travel plans. There's nothing like accidentally stumbling upon a deserted beach in a bay and spontaneously deciding to pitch your tent under a starry sky.

If you're planning a road trip through the various regions of Oman, from the desert landscapes of Al Buraimi in the northwest and coastal cities like Muscat and Sur to inland walled cities like Nizwa and Bahla and farming villages in the Hajar Mountains, it must take at least a week. Add another week to your itinerary if you can't wait to drive to the beaches, verdant wadis (valleys), and nature reserves of the Dhofar region in the south, and perhaps visit a few islands.

Here's how to get around Oman during your visit.

 Domestic flights are the best way to significantly reduce travel times between certain regions and avoid spending entire days between them. Oman Air operates flights between Muscat, Duqm, Salalah, and Khasab, and Oman-based low-cost carrier Salam Air offers connections between Muscat, Sohar, and Salalah. Tickets can be booked online.

A car is an easiest and most flexible way to see Oman

Hiring a car is undoubtedly the easiest way to travel in Oman, giving you great flexibility, the best value for money, and the ability to reach remote locations that you would not reach by other means. You also have the freedom to wild camp on public land – just bring a tent, food, and a sleeping bag.

Cars can be rented at a slightly lower rate from international chains such as Avis and Thrifty or local companies, with your international driving license. You can book your rental car in advance and collect it at the arrival airport.

A dense network of paved roads in good condition connects the main cities and regions. In Oman, vehicles drive on the right side of the road; usually, lane discipline is enforced and traffic rules are observed. While driving in Muscat isn't as nerve-wracking as it is in Dubai in the neighboring UAE, it's best to move into the next lane and let your car pass if you find yourself being chased.

Road signs are written in both English and Arabic. Speed limits are 120 km/h (75 mph) on motorways, 90 km/h (55 mph) on country roads, and 40 km/h (25 mph) in residential areas; radar and speed cameras monitor all roads. While you can navigate with Google Maps, the Waze app is more accurate. There are many petrol stations with shops and toilets along the main roads.

Between November and March, days of heavy rainfall can occur throughout the country, accompanied by thunderstorms and strong gusts of wind. These days, road conditions are not ideal for driving: in Muscat, for example, roads may flood and some areas may be flooded, resulting in traffic congestion. As the sea can be rough during these times, it is best not to camp along the coast.

When planning a road trip through Oman, keep an eye on the weather and check the official website of the Directorate General of Meteorology for warnings of flash floods, dust storms, and tropical cyclones.

If you intend to drive in desert terrain or mountainous areas such as Jebel Akhdar (where you can expect steep, unpaved roads between villages and Wadis), it is advisable to hire a 4WD vehicle capable of off-road driving. Do not stray from existing tracks.

Off-road driving requires skill, common sense, and a good presence of mind. It's a good idea to bring along a long tow rope, a traction mat, and a shovel in case your vehicle gets stuck. Make sure you always have enough water and food in your car.

In Oman, it is not uncommon to see 2WD vehicles ill-equipped for the rugged terrain of the desert mountains and dunes breaking down or being stuck in the sand. In general, Omanis are helpful; if you find yourself in such a difficult situation, someone will usually come to help you. You may not be so lucky in remote areas.

When driving out of towns, keep an eye out for wandering camels and mountain goats. Flash floods can occur in wadis soon after it rains, and it can be difficult to get out of overcrowded wadis. Check the weather forecast and warnings before setting off.

Beware of driving on sabkha, a salt flat that appears solid and therefore easy to navigate until you get stuck; this is not recommended for inexperienced drivers. Look for signs warning visitors and look no further.

Hailing a taxi in Oman

You'll find privately owned orange and white cabs in Muscat and other cities outside of malls, hotels, and tourist attractions - they're safe, well-maintained, and comfortable. They are also unmetered, so fares need to be negotiated before getting in, but they're almost always cheaper than the alternative. The relatively MVH taxis (in red and white livery) are another option.

English is spoken in Muscat and drivers will be familiar with popular landmarks and tourist sites; otherwise, show them the location on a map on your smartphone. It is also possible to hire a private taxi to travel between cities or for a full day - ask the driver for the rate and availability.

While Uber, Careem, and Lyft aren't available in Oman, local smartphone apps include Oman Taxi: Otaxi and Marhaba Oman Taxi (the latter is slightly more expensive). Both allow you to select pickup and drop-off locations on a map, connect you with the nearest driver, and provide estimated rates.

According to the culture's unspoken rules, women traveling alone are advised to sit in the back seat, directly behind the driver rather than facing the driver.

Budget travelers should consider taking the bus

MVH operates public buses in Muscat and Salalah, as well as a network of inter-city and inter-regional buses and ferries across Oman, including connections between Muscat and Nizwa, Duqm, Bahla, Sur, Buraimi, the island of Masirah, Salalah, and Khasab.

Visitors can consult the daily timetables, routes, and fares on the network's website. Tickets are affordable – fares range from OR2 (US$5.20) to OR26 (US$67.50) – and can be purchased on board. The masala smartphone app is useful for its trip planner and interactive map.

The buses are clean, comfortable, safe, and air-conditioned. For travelers on a budget, buses offer the cheapest means of transport, both within and between cities.

Explore the coastal islands by boat

Ferry services from the mainland allow you to visit Oman's coastal islands, where you'll find dive sites rich in marine life, nature reserves, and pristine beaches. MVH operates a ferry service between Masirah Island and Shannah Port on the southeast coast and also operates a bus service from Muscat to Shannah Port. The journey to Hilf, the main town of Masirah Island, takes one hour. Cars can be transported on the ferry.

A ferry service also connects Shinas in northern Oman (accessible by bus from Muscat) to the ports of Khasab, Dibba, and Lima on the Musandam peninsula. You can view the routes, timetables, and fares and book your ferry tickets on the official website of the National Ferries Company (NFC).

Water taxis are the most convenient way to travel between the Al Mouj and Bandar Al Rowdha marinas in Muscat and Jebel Sifah Marina on the east coast.

The easiest way to reach the Daymaniyat Islands is with local operators such as SeaOman, who organize catamaran and speedboat trips to the islands, as well as scuba diving, snorkeling, and other water sports from Al Mouj Marina in Muscat and other locations along the coast. They also organize all the necessary permits to visit these islands.

If you are in a coastal city and want to explore nearby villages or islands (such as those near Al Sawadi), it is possible to hire one of the private boats from local operators and fishermen, for a day or to be dropped off and then picked up at a specific time.

Accessible transport in Oman

Most MVH buses are wheelchair accessible, with low floors and retractable ramps. The NFC ferries to Masirah Island and Musandam are also wheelchair accessible. For road travel, it is more convenient to rent an accessible vehicle with a hired driver from a private operator than from a rental company. 

In Muscat and other cities, newer and international hotels, shopping malls, tourist sites, marinas, some beaches, and retail districts are accessible. In some locations, there are designated parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities.  

Book Exciting and Entertaining Oman tour packages with Your Friends and Family. Mountain Valley Holidays Offers Amazing Travel Tour Services at Affordable Prices. read more About Oman | Trending Tours | Popular Excursions | Adventure Tours | Sea Tours | Camping Tours | MICE | Golf | Wedding Destination

[seekergkfan]

Which is the largest desert of Pakistan?

Which is the largest desert of Pakistan?

Which is the largest desert of Pakistan? A. Thal B. Thar C. Cholistan D. None (more…)

[fatehbaz]

we’rent there cheetahs in turkey? cf gobleki tepe ... the map seems off

Yea. Cheetahs, tigers, lions, and leopards were all living on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean within the political borders of modern-day Turkey and in the region around Gobekli Tepe, not just 12,000-ish years ago during the first architecture construction at the site, but also within the past 100 years. All of these cats coexisted in Mesopotamia, Persia, and Anatolia for essentially, all of human history. Both tigers and lions still lived in “Europe” on the northern shores of the Black Sea (in modern-day Ukraine) and in the Caucasus during the Middle Ages, with tigers still appearing near Crimea in the 1700s. Lions still lived in Mesopotamia around 1920, cheetahs still lived in Palestine around 1945, and tigers still lived in Turkey in the 1970s. In Kurdish lands, near the eastern political borders of Turkey, all 4 big cats lived nearly alongside each other until the 20th century.

And yea, that wasn’t a great map of historic cheetah range (I’m really disappointed with bad/vague distribution maps), but there are other maps of historical big cat distribution that I could recommend.

From Gobekli Tepe:

Kinda looks like a big cat?

Cheetahs were apparently still living in the eastern Mediterranean, in the Sinai of Palestine, until at least 1945. They were still present in Mesopotamia until at least 1925, when the cats were reported south of Baghdad. They may have gone extinct within Turkish political borders in the 1800s, but this would’ve been difficult to confirm because of eastern Turkey’s mountainous terrain. (Cheetahs also survived in Afghanistan, Yemen, Oman into the 1970s.) Cheetahs in Anatolia ostensibly would’ve been the Asiatic subspecies, Acinonyx jubatus venaticus, which is the same subspecies currently living in Iran.

Tigers still lived in Kurdish lands and within Turkey’s borders into the 1970s. The Caspian tiger (Panthera tigris virgata). Tigers were living in Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia until the 1940s, apparently. They were also reported living near Crimea, Sochi, and the shores of the Black Sea during the 1700s. This subspecies, the Caspian tiger, seemed to utilize the wooded vegetation of the riparian corridors along the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, which provided suitable habitat and cover for the tigers to disperse across the great deserts of Central Asia between Lake Balkash and the Caspian. Relative to those deserts, the slopes of the Caucasus and the lush forests of Iranian shores of the Caspian (not too different from temperate rainforest) are much more vegetated. (There were 9 tiger subspecies living during recent centuries. Five are alive in the wild: Malayan, Bengal, Sumatran, Indochinese, and Siberian. One might be extinct in the wild: South China. Three are extinct: Bali, Javan, and Caspian.)

Leopards apparently still survive within Turkey’s borders, in Kurdistan. The subspecies is Panthera pardus saxicolor, the leopard of Anatolia, the Caucasus, and Persia. The same subspecies still lives nearby in Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, northern Iraq, and Persia.

Another leopard subspecies, Panthera pardus nimur, still lives in the Arabian peninsula and was historically present in Palestine, the Sinai, and the eastern Mediterranean shore close to Anatolia.

Lions apparently went extinct within Turkish borders in the late 1800s, but they were still recorded in nearby Mesopotamia until the First World War, when a lion was famously killed in Iraq in 1918. Lions were present in Persia until at least 1944, when a dead lion was found in Iranian Khuzestan. Lions were also present in Thessalonika and the Greek shores of the Aegean until at least 300 AD. (According to records from that time, an also according to archaeological dating of lion remains.) It’s likely that lions lived in Iberia (and Italy?) until 1500 BC or so. (Then again, maybe not surprising, since the cat is adaptable enough that lions also lived alongside humans in North America only a few thousand years ago, too. The lions in North America were even, possibly, the same species as the modern extant lion, Panthera leo atrox. But sometimes the American lion is designated as its own species, Panthera atrox.)

Persian cheetah:

Caspian tiger:

Persian and Arabian leopard:

Distribution of Persian leopard subspecies:

Distribution of Arabian leopard subspecies:

Asiatic lion:

“Modern” lion (Panthera leo) during recent millennia in Holocene:

Lion during Pleistocene:

Even caracals mingled with the other cats in Anatolia:

The ancient Near East was a meeting place, and very biodiverse.

The “Fertile Crescent” really was fertile. Even Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) appear to have been present in Mesopotamia and near Kurdistan in ancient times during the ascent of Assyria.

(Isn’t it thought-provoking how woolly mammoths still survived on Wrangell Island 9000 years after the first construction at Gobekli Tepe; mammoths still alive 1000 years after the construction of the great pyramids of Egypt?)

Something I like to think about: Because of the habitat association of lions, how they’re always photographed against a landscape of intermittent woodland and grassland, I think it might be a little easier to picture lions living in Greece, Anatolia, and the Mediterranean shores of Europe in recent millennia because of the mild climate and how the chaparral ecology is not too unlike savanna or scrub. But to imagine lions and tigers and leopards living in the steppes of Ukraine, the snowy northern slopes of the Caucasus, and the shores of the Black Sea in recent centuries? Cool.

[nicholassabalos]

Desert sands….at sea....

ARABIAN SEA (January 5, 2019) -- The desert (nearby) sun rises over a United States Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey multi-mission/purpose tilt-rotor, vertical take-off/landing (VTOL) aircraft....on the flight deck of United States Navy amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2).

                                               USS Essex (LHD 2)

With serious deserts in the vicinity ashore, the sky is tinged with the color of desert sands and dust caught in the prevailing winds.

Th photo of the Osprey up on top was taken just above the “A” in “Arabian Sea”....off the coast of Oman.

                                             *          *          *          *

I spent 77 days in this same area while on a deployment aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Fox (CG 33).

Our patrol in the North Arabian Sea came during the heart of the monsoon season, July-September, in the early 1980s.

         USS Fox (CG 33)....nicknamed “The Fabulous Fox” (It was!)

But our “monsoon” consisted of lots of wind, endlessly rough seas, skies full of dirt, grit, sand and dust, blazing hot temperatures, sauna-like humidity....but no rains.

Just dirty steam heat.

The winds were blowing right off of northern Africa and the Arabian peninsula, out-to-sea into our part of the ocean (check out the map above). The ship was coated in yellow/brown sand. 

(It never rained!) (Some “monsoon,” huh?!)

The skies were always a dirty yellow/brown. The sun looking dingy....but still powerful hot!

I was serving as the ship’s Navigator. And loving it! Heat, dirt, and all!

(Oh, by the way....those dirty winds blowing across our patrol area in the North Arabian Sea would continue all the way across hundreds of miles of very warm ocean waters....picking-up lots of moisture....and carry traditional (heavy rainy) monsoons into India, off to the east.)

                                             *          *          *          *

                                    ___________________________

>>CLICK the top photo to immerse yourself in the scene....

>>Top photo: Sgt. Francisco J. Diaz Jr., USMC

[omansafaritours-blog]

Desert Safari Oman | Oman Safari Tours.

Explore the captivating beauty of Oman's desert with thrilling desert safaris. Discover the renowned Desert Safari in Oman on Oman Safari Tours. Immerse yourself in the golden waves of Wahiba Sands, known as the "Sahara of Arabia," covering 12,500 sq. km.   Experience the magic of towering dunes, some up to 100 metres high, and embark on adventures like dune bashing, camel rides, and desert camping under the starry night sky. For an authentic Arabian Peninsula experience, visit Oman Safari Tours and plan your ultimate desert safari adventure in Oman. Uncover the pristine and unspoiled grandeur of this unique landscape. Book your tour today!

[kevlo75]

In 1930, the explorer Bertram Thomas had been approaching the southern edge of the Rub' al Khali ("The Empty Quarter"). It was Thomas' ambition to be the first European to cross the great sands but, as he began his camel journey, he was told by his Bedouin escorts of a lost city whose wicked people had attracted the wrath of God and had been destroyed. He found no trace of a lost city in the sands, but Thomas later related the story to T. E. Lawrence ("Lawrence of Arabia"), who regarded Ubar as the "Atlantis of the Sands". Thomas marked on a map the location of a track that was said to lead to the legendary lost city of Ubar and, although he intended to return to follow it, he was never able to. #atlantis of the #sands #desert #oman 🇴🇲 #saudiarabia 🇸🇦 #quest (à Samail Castle حصن سمائل) https://www.instagram.com/p/CXohK0pLIXW/?utm_medium=tumblr

[listerious]

Top 10 Sandy Facts About The Arabian Desert

The largest and most intriguing desert in Asia is situated on the largest peninsula in the world. It's the type of desert the flashes through your mind when you hear the word, mainly due to the vast body of sand that it features. Let's take a closer look at some of the most interesting facts about the Arabian Desert, one of the most extreme regions on the planet.

1. It covers most of the Arabian Peninsula and 11 countries

The Arabian Desert is one of the largest deserts in the world and is for the most part situated on the Arabian Peninsula. This peninsula in the Middle East is the largest of its kind in the world as it covers an area of 3,237,500 square kilometers (1,250,000 square miles). Apart from covering most parts of Saudi Arabian, it covers areas in 11 different countries: - Saudi Arabia - Iraq - State of Palestine - Israel - Egypt - Jordan - Kuwait - Oman - Qatar - United Arab Emirates - Yemen As you can see on the map of the Arabian Desert below, it also extends into the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, the only part of the country that is located within Asia.

Map of the desert / Terpsichores / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

2. It's huge and the 5th-largest desert in the world

The Arabian Desert covers an area of 2,330,000 square kilometers (899,618 square miles), an enormous area that makes it the 5th-largest desert in the world. Ony these deserts are larger in terms of size: - Antarctic Desert: 14,200,000 square kilometers (5,482,651 square miles). - Arctic Desert: 13,900,000 square kilometers (5,366,820 square miles). - Sahara Desert: 9,200,000 square kilometers (3,552,140 square miles). - Australian Desert: 2,700,000 square kilometers (1,042,476 square miles). As you can see, this also means that it's the largest desert in Asia, larger than the Gobi Desert (which is the 6th-largest in this list) that covers an area of 1,295,000 square kilometers (500,002 square miles).

3. It features one of the largest bodies of sand in the world

The southern part of the Arabian Peninsula is covered by an enormous body of sand called the "Rub' al Khali," which translates to "The Empty Quarter." This name mostly describes the situation in this area because it's one of the largest bodies of sand in the world, an area that isn't very hospitable to support many forms of life. This part of the desert covers an area of 650,000 square kilometers (250,000 square miles) and is covered in enormous dunes, some extending to a height of up to 250 meters (820 feet). This section of the Arabian Desert is pretty much what you expect a desert to look like.

Sand dunes in the desert / Wiki Commons

4. The climate is very similar to that of its bigger neighbor to the west

If you look closely at the map then you can see that the eastern part of the Sahara Desert in Egypt isn't too far away. This pretty much means that the Arabian Desert is considered to be an extension of the 3rd-largest desert in the world that is located in Africa. This also means that the climate in the Arabian Desert is very similar to that of its bigger counterpart to the west. Because it covers such a vast area, it features both a subtropical and a hot desert climate. The temperatures during the daytime are extremely hot, especially in the lower parts of the desert near the Persian Gulf. In areas near sea level, the average high temperature can rise to up to 48 °C (118 °F). In most parts of the desert, though, the high average temperature is around 40 °C (104 °F) and up, while the low average temperature ranges between 20 °C (68 °F) and 30 °C (86 °F).

5. Very few animals and plants can survive in this part of the world

It's always amazing to find out that some animals and plants can survive in these extremely hot and dry conditions. Granted, their numbers are pretty limited as this is one of the harshest environments imaginable. There are only about 900 species of plants that can grow in these conditions, and the body of sand known as the Rub'al-Khali only features 37 different types of plant species. It's still fascinating that 20 plant species can grow within the body of sand itself, while the other 17 grow on the outskirts. One of the most interesting facts about the Arabian Desert is that there are also 102 species of mammals and 310 species of birds living here. Some of the most fascinating animals living here include the: - Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) - Sand gazelle (Gazella marica) - Mountain gazelle (G. gazella) - Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana) - Arabian wolf (Canis lupus Arabs) - Striped hyaena (Hyaena hyaena) - Caracal (Caracal caracal) - Sand cat (Felis margarita) - Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) - Cape hare (Lepus capensis)

The Arabian oryx / Charles J. Sharp / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

More interesting facts about the Arabian Desert

6. Even though the desert is extremely dry in most parts, it's not as dry as its bigger brother the Sahara Desert. About half of the Sahara Desert is considered to be hyper-arid while there are very few areas in the Arabian Desert that can be classified as such. Still, the yearly rainfall in most parts of the desert is limited with on average about 100 millimeters (3.9 inches). Some of the driest areas only receive between 30 and 40 millimeters (1.6 inches).

Plants in the desert / Wiki Commons 7. Another remarkable fact about the Arabian Desert is that it receives an incredible amount of sunshine throughout the day. The average yearly sunshine duration is anywhere between 2,900 (66.2% of daylight hours) and 3,600 hours (82.1% of daylight hours), with the average being around 3,400 hours (77.6% of daylight hours) of sunshine. 8. Even though the southern part of the desert mostly consists of dunes, the desert features a varied landscape in the northern section. Some of the fascinating features within the desert are red dunes, extremely dangerous quicksand, and majestic rock formations, cliffs, and amazing canyons that are part of the Tuwaiq escarpment.

A canyon inside the desert / Peter Dowley / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en 9. The ecoregion that makes up the desert is considered to be critically endangered, mainly because of threats such as overgrazing by livestock, wildlife poaching, and habitat destruction. This also means that the few animals that survive here are classified as endangered as well. Some of the animals that are endangered are the sand gazelle, Arabian oryx, jackals, and striped hyaenas. The area also used to be home to the Asiatic cheetah and lion, but these animals have disappeared here a long time ago. 10. Even though the desert conditions aren't very hospitable for most forms of life to survive, the desert is still home to an astounding number of people. Multiple huge cities are located within its borders, including the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, which is situated right within its center. Other large cities are located near the coast of the Persian Gulf such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Kuwait City. Yes, if you intend to visit Dubai, you enter the outskirts of the Arabian Desert!

Riyad in the middle of the desert / B. Alotaby / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en Read the full article

[busrentalindubai]

MS Bus rental and Passengers Buses Transport is the leading transportation provider in the UAE. It is highly reputed for its services, safety standards and travel rates.

We provide transportation services for Oil & Gas Companies, schools, hospitals, hotels, colleges, universities, construction and contracting companies, bank staff and other office staff, tour, events operators, Sports festivals inside and outside of the Dubai, UAE.

Our Bus Services

For more information please contact us,

Block office 26 Airport free zone Dubai,

00971554519169

info@busrentalindubai.com

gohargca@gmail.com

https://busrentalindubai.com

  MS Bus rental is the leading transportation provider in the DUBAI UAE. We provide transportation services to events organizing companies, tour organizing companies , Oil & Gas Companies , schools, hospitals, hotels, colleges, universities, construction and contracting companies, bank staff and other office staff, tour operators , events operators , Sports festivals inside and outside of the UAE.

Our Bus Services

1- Provide Buses For Hotels, Tours & Events

2- Short Term & Long Term Bus Lease for Construction Companies

3- School student & Teachers pick & drop.

4- Buses for construction workers

5- Buses for Oil & Gas companies

6- Buses for manufacturing companies

7- Office staff picks & drop

8- Labors, technician pick & drop.

9- Events & festivals handling

10- Tourists pick & drop

11- City Tours

 For more information please contact us,

Block office 26 Airport free zone Dubai,

00971554519169

info@busrentalindubai.com

gohargca@gmail.com

https://busrentalindubai.com

  #minivan #Dubaitransport #dubaibus #dubaitour

https://goo.gl/maps/H9PMKpFtLyfXEGR7A

https://goo.gl/maps/o2Poh9XzSHtfCCyV7

https://goo.gl/maps/PpSv4V7YG8i2xoQQA

https://goo.gl/maps/Zy96dsrzCApsyYraA

https://goo.gl/maps/YbJAPxJq1NP7vBrU6

https://goo.gl/maps/z3NZdmrjMEfCygZa7

https://goo.gl/maps/PURUSmG8SWpzEYAs9

https://goo.gl/maps/adJg46FVVedFtCR29  

https://goo.gl/maps/67BR18nfFEq2KcB27  

https://goo.gl/maps/ETFLKsX4ADqRZv796

https://goo.gl/maps/KfgetexYv5A7KSCr8

https://goo.gl/maps/HmPyq1uBxGiBypWd6

https://goo.gl/maps/ge6ibQmCLPb3S2DS8

https://goo.gl/maps/Ze5GCmse2aWXjMii6

  MS Bus Rental & Transport was established in 2012 with the intention of providing admirable quality transport to the passengers as per their requirements.

Buses rental in Dubai, Emirates - List of Buses rental

85 Seater,50 Seater,34 Seater,30 Seater,15 Seater,7 Seater,minivan,mini busTransport ,Buses rental

 For more information please contact us,

Block office 26 Airport free zone Dubai,

00971554519169

info@busrentalindubai.com

gohargca@gmail.com

https://busrentalindubai.com

  https://api.whatsapp.com/send/?phone=%2B971-%28055%294519169&text&app_absent=0

https://dubaibuseshire.yahoosites.com/

https://dubaibuseshire.yahoosites.com/

https://g.page/bus-rental-dubai-uae/review?rc

MS Bus Rental and Minivan Minibus rental serves in Dubai , MS Passengers Buses Transport is the leading transportation provider in the UAE. It is highly reputed for its services, safety standards and travel rates.

 Other Bus Services

We provide a range of car hire and leasing solutions to our varied

customers in the UAE and from all over the world.

If you are visiting the UAE, you can book our services online

before arriving , Vehicle leasing available for locals and residents for short term

or long term depending on their needs.

Chauffeur Services We also offer special chauffeur services for clients requiring the

Same Drop-Off & Pick-Up anywhere in UAE,

We can deliver and pick up the vehicle at any airport or major city point in

the UAE based on client’s preferences

24 Hour Call Service

Our Customer Service staff is available 24/7 on call to assist you.

Dubai City Tours,

Dubai shopping Malls Tours,

Fujairah East Coast Tours,

Al Ain Tours,

Dubai Desert Safari,

Dubai Dhow cruise,

Dreamland Aqua Park Tours,

School Excursions & Events,

Events & Wedding Luxury Transportations,

Sports Events Transportation,

Group Handling,

Additional Baggage Transportation,

Abu Dhabi City Tours,

Abu Dhabi Car Rentals,

Abu Dhabi Dhow Cruise,

Abu Dhabi Desert Safari,

Abu Dhabi Bus Rentals,

Abu Dhabi Yacht Charter,

Abu Dhabi Shopping Tours,

Airport Transfers,

We can arrange special airport transfers from or to any airport in the UAE for,

visitors / tourists,

Sightseeing Tours,

We can arrange special sightseeing tours in the UAE as per,

client’s preferences,

bus rental,

dubai bus rental,

van rental,

bus companies,

transport companies in dubai,

airport transfer dubai,

dubai transport,

dubai airport transfer,

transportation companies in dubai,

airport transport,

dubai bus,

transport company in dubai,

transportation in Dubai,

transport in Dubai,

BUSES FOR RENT,

BUSES FOR RENT IN UAE,

BUS FOR RENT IN UAE,

MINIBUS FOR RENT,

MINIBUS FOR RENT IN UAE,

MINIBUS FOR RENT IN DUBAI,

MINIBUS FOR RENT IN SHARJAH,

MINIBUS FOR RENT IN AJMAN,

AJMAN BUS RENTAL,

AJMAN MINIBUS HIRE,

HIRE BUS IN AJMAN,

DUBAI BUS HIRE,

BUS HIRE IN DUBAI,

BUS HIRE IN UAE,

BUS HIRE IN SHARJAH,

BUS HIRE IN ABU DHABI,

BUS HIRE IN RAK,

HIRE A BUS IN UA,

DUBAI SIGHT SEEING,

SHARJAH SIGHT SEING,

FERRARI WORLD TOUR,

DUBAI TOUR,

TOUR OF DUBAI,

SHARJAH TOUR,

TOUR OF SHARJAH,

TOUR OF AL AIN,

AL AIN TOUR,

FUJAIRAH TOUR,

OMAN TOUR,

MUSCAT TOUR,

TOUR OF MUSANDAM,

ABU DHABI BUS RENTAL,

RENT A BUS IN ABU DHABI,

BUS CHARTER,

AIRPORT TRANSFER BY BUS,

HOTEL TRANSFER BY BUS,

DUBAI AIRPORT BUS,

HIRE A COACH,

HIRE A LUXURY CAR,

HIRE A LUXURY BUS,

HIRE A BUS IN RAS AL KHAIMAH,

RENT A CAR IN DUBAI,

RENT A CAR IN SHARJAH,

RENT A CAR IN ABU DHABI,

SCHOOL BUS HIRE,

NURSERY BUS HIRE,

BUS FOR RENT IN DUBAI,

BUS RENTAL COMPANIES IN UAE,

BUS RENTAL COMPANIES IN DUBAI,

BUS RENTAL COMPANIES IN SHARJAH,

BUS RENTAL COMPANIES IN FUJAIRAH,

BUS RENTAL COMPANIES IN AJMAN,

BUS RENTAL COMPANIES IN ABU DHABI,

BUS RENTAL COMPANIES IN AL AIN,

DIBBA BUS TOUR,

KHORFAKKAN BUS TOUR,

RENT A BUS IN SHARJAH,

RENT A BUS IN DUBAI,

RENT A BUS IN AJMAN,

RENT A BUS IN RAS AL KHAIMAH,

SCHOOL BUS FOR RENT,

HIRE A BUS FOR SCHOOL,

STAFF TRANSPORTATION,

STUDENTS TRANSPORTATION,

PASSENGERS BUSES TRANSPORT,

LABOR TRANSPORT,

COASTER BUSES FOR RENT,

ASHOK LEYLAND BUSES FOR RENT,

For more information please contact us,

Block office 26 Airport free zone Dubai,

00971554519169

info@busrentalindubai.com

gohargca@gmail.com

https://busrentalindubai.com

  14 SEAT BUS FOR RENT

 14 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN UAE

 14 SEAT BUS IN THE UAE

 14 SEAT BUS WITH DRIVER

 14 SEAT BUS WITHOUT DRIVER

 14 SEAT BUS WITH FUEL

 14 SEAT HIACE FOR RENT

 14 SEAT HIROOF FOR RENT

 14 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN DUBAI

 14 SEAT BUS FOR RENT AJMAN

 14 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN SHARJAH

 14 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN ABU DHABI

 14 SEAT BUS FOR RENT AL AIN

 14 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN RAS AL KHAIMAH

 14 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN FUJAIRAH

 15 SEAT BUS FOR RENT

 15 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN UAE

 15 SEAT BUS IN THE UAE

 15 SEAT BUS WITH DRIVER

 15 SEAT BUS WITHOUT DRIVER

 15 SEAT BUS WITH FUEL

 15 SEAT HIACE FOR RENT

 15 SEAT HIROOF FOR RENT

 15 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN DUBAI

 15 SEAT BUS FOR RENT AJMAN

 15 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN SHARJAH

 15 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN ABU DHABI

 15 SEAT BUS FOR RENT AL AIN

 15 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN RAS AL KHAIMAH

 15 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN FUJAIRAH

 12 SEAT BUS FOR RENT

 12 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN UAE

 12 SEAT BUS IN THE UAE

 12 SEAT BUS WITH DRIVER

 12 SEAT BUS WITHOUT DRIVER

 12 SEAT BUS WITH FUEL

 12 SEAT HIACE FOR RENT

 12 SEAT HIROOF FOR RENT

 12 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN DUBAI

 12 SEAT BUS FOR RENT AJMAN

 12 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN SHARJAH

 12 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN ABU DHABI

 12 SEAT BUS FOR RENT AL AIN

 12 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN RAS AL KHAIMAH

 12 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN FUJAIRAH

 10 SEAT BUS FOR RENT          

 10 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN UAE

 10 SEAT BUS IN THE UAE

 10 SEAT BUS WITH DRIVER

 10 SEAT BUS WITHOUT DRIVER

 10 SEAT BUS WITH FUEL

 10 SEAT HIACE FOR RENT

 10 SEAT HIROOF FOR RENT

 10 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN DUBAI

 10 SEAT BUS FOR RENT AJMAN

 10 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN SHARJAH

 10 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN ABU DHABI

 10 SEAT BUS FOR RENT AL AIN

 10 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN RAS AL KHAIMAH

 10 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN FUJAIRAH

 20 SEAT BUS FOR RENT

 20 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN UAE

 20 SEAT BUS IN THE UAE

 20 SEAT BUS WITH DRIVER

 20 SEAT BUS WITHOUT DRIVER

 20 SEAT BUS WITH FUEL

 20 SEAT HIACE FOR RENT

 20 SEAT HIROOF FOR RENT

 20 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN DUBAI

 20 SEAT BUS FOR RENT AJMAN

 20 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN SHARJAH

 20 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN ABU DHABI

 20 SEAT BUS FOR RENT AL AIN

 20 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN RAS AL KHAIMAH

 20 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN FUJAIRAH

 25 SEAT BUS FOR RENT

 25 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN UAE

 25 SEAT BUS IN THE UAE

 25 SEAT BUS WITH DRIVER

 25 SEAT BUS WITHOUT DRIVER

 25 SEAT BUS WITH FUEL

 25 SEAT HIACE FOR RENT

 25 SEAT HIROOF FOR RENT

 25 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN DUBAI

 25 SEAT BUS FOR RENT AJMAN

 25 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN SHARJAH

 25 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN ABU DHABI

 25 SEAT BUS FOR RENT AL AIN

 25 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN RAS AL KHAIMAH

 25 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN FUJAIRAH

 30 SEAT BUS FOR RENT

 30 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN UAE

 30 SEAT BUS IN THE UAE

 30 SEAT BUS WITH DRIVER

 30 SEAT BUS WITHOUT DRIVER

 30 SEAT BUS WITH FUEL

 30 SEAT COASTER FOR RENT

 30 SEAT HIROOF FOR RENT

 30 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN DUBAI

 30 SEAT BUS FOR RENT AJMAN

 30 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN SHARJAH

 30 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN ABU DHABI

 30 SEAT BUS FOR RENT AL AIN

 30 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN RAS AL KHAIMAH

 30 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN FUJAIRAH

 50 SEAT BUS FOR RENT

 50 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN UAE

 50 SEAT BUS IN THE UAE

 50 SEAT BUS WITH DRIVER

 50 SEAT BUS WITHOUT DRIVER

 50 SEAT BUS WITH FUEL

 50 SEAT LUXURY BUS FOR RENT

 50 SEAT HIROOF FOR RENT

 50 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN DUBAI

 50 SEAT BUS FOR RENT AJMAN

 50 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN SHARJAH

 50 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN ABU DHABI

 50 SEAT BUS FOR RENT AL AIN

 50 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN RAS AL KHAIMAH

 50 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN FUJAIRAH

 60 SEAT BUS FOR RENT

 60 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN UAE

 60 SEAT BUS IN THE UAE

 60 SEAT BUS WITH DRIVER

 60 SEAT BUS WITHOUT DRIVER

 60 SEAT BUS WITH FUEL

 60 SEAT AC BUS FOR RENT

 66 SEAT NON AC BUS FOR RENT

 66 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN DUBAI

 66 SEAT BUS FOR RENT AJMAN

 66 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN SHARJAH

 66 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN ABU DHABI

 66 SEAT BUS FOR RENT AL AIN

 66 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN RAS AL KHAIMAH

 66 SEAT BUS FOR RENT IN FUJAIRAH

 84 SEAT AC BUS FOR RENT

 84 SEAT NON AC BUS FOR RENT

 DUBAI CITY TOUR

 DUBAI DESERT SAFARI

 DUBAI MALL TOUR

 BURJ KHALIFA TOUR

 BURJ AL ARAB TOUR

 DUBAI NIGHT TOUR

 DUBAI DAY TOUR

 DUBAI DOQ CRUISE

 DUBAI AIRPORT

 ABU DHABI CITY TOUR

 AL AIN CITY TOUR

 SHARJAH CITY TOUR

 AJMAN TOUR

 RAK TOUR

 TOURISM

 TRAVEL

 FUJAIRAH CITY TOUR

 DIBBA TOUR

 Buses Uae

 Buses For Staff Transportation

 Buses On Rent

 Luxury Buses In Dubai

  LUXURY BUSES FOR RENT

  RENT A LUXURY BUS

  luxury bus rental

dubai

 bus rental

dubai price

 dubai bus rental

rates

 50 seater bus rental

dubai

 fancy bus rental

dubai

 school bus rental

dubai

 bus rental

sharjah

 coaster bus rental

in dubai

    MINIVAN MINI BUS RENT WITH DRIVER IN DUBAI FOR YOUR TRIP

 MS Bus Rental and Tour Dubai provide a luxury minibus Minivan hire service in Dubai and across the UAE. The luxury executive minibus is perfect for large groups for all occasions. Beautiful  stylish interior with large windows and plenty of room for everyone.

We have special Minibuses that help you to reach your destination on time safely. Our modern fleet is maintained by specialist technicians in extensive modern workshops to ensure total safety and reliability.

If you looking are searching for  minibus with driver & fuel  then MS Transport & Bus Rental is proud to offer a team of experienced Driver If you’re thinking  about going anywhere with a group, don’t take two or three cars  hire a minibus with a driver in DUBAI , UAE  today!

For more information please contact us,

Block office 26 Airport free zone Dubai,

00971554519169

info@busrentalindubai.com

gohargca@gmail.com

https://busrentalindubai.com

      MS BUS RENTAL AND MINIVAN MINI BUS RENT WITH DRIVER SERVES  IN DUBAI FOR YOUR TRIP

 MS Transport and Bus Rental give an extravagance minibus Minivan employ administration in Dubai and across the UAE. The extravagance chief minibus is ideal for enormous gatherings for all events. Excellent slick inside with huge windows and a lot of space for everybody.

 We have extraordinary Minibusses that assist you with arriving at your Location  on time securely. Our cutting edge armada is kept up by expert professionals in broad present day workshops to guarantee complete wellbeing and unwavering quality.

 On the off chance that you looking are looking for minibus with driver and fuel, at that point MS Transport and Bus Rental is glad to offer a group of experienced Driver If you're pondering going anyplace with a gathering, don't take a few vehicles enlist a minibus with a driver in DUBAI , UAE today!

https://busrentalindubai.com/transport/toyota-hiace/

For more information please contact us,

Block office 26 Airport free zone Dubai,

00971554519169

info@busrentalindubai.com

gohargca@gmail.com

https://busrentalindubai.com

     MS Bus Rental DUBAI , we proudly offer a wide range of buses, shuttles and private Van for Dubai travelers. We have been providing the most rental bus rental services for many years and have built a reputation for doing well across the board.

 Whether you want a short day trip or a large company ship, we have buses and a service to take you where you need to go.

 We take safety, cleanliness and reliability seriously - and we offer you everything at a very low price no matter what you need. Our buses are carefully maintained and our staff provide the warm support you need to feel at home; it doesn't matter where you go. Learn why clients love MS Bus Rental in Dubai.

 When it’s time to rent a bus for your next Trip, there are plenty of options to choose from. Learn what questions to ask and why customers consistently call Bus Rentals Dubai the best trip they have ever had.

 We have experience that helps passengers to benefit from any special occasion. Therefore, we offer great transportation deals to and from various events such as weddings, casino shuttles, corporate events, amusement parks, rental buses and coach buses.

 6MSbus rentals will ensure you arrive in style, no matter where you go. Call us today to discuss how we can help you set up a safe, comfortable, personalized experience that you will always remember.

 For more information please contact us,

Block office 26 Airport free zone Dubai,

00971554519169

info@busrentalindubai.com

gohargca@gmail.com

https://busrentalindubai.com

  MS Bus Rental and Passenger Buses Transport هي المزود الرائد لخدمات النقل في الإمارات العربية المتحدة. تشتهر بخدماتها ومعايير السلامة وأسعار السفر.

نحن نقدم خدمات النقل لشركات النفط والغاز والمدارس والمستشفيات والفنادق والكليات والجامعات وشركات البناء والمقاولات وموظفي البنوك وغيرهم من موظفي المكاتب والجولات السياحية ومشغلي الأحداث والمهرجانات الرياضية داخل وخارج دبي ، الإمارات العربية المتحدة

خدمات الحافلات لدينا

للمزيد من المعلومات، يرجى الاتصال بنا

مدينة دبي للسياحة ،

جولات مراكز التسوق في دبي ،

الفجيرة إيست كوست تورز ،

العين للسياحة ،

سفاري دبي الصحراوي ،

رحلة بحرية في دبي ،

دريم لاند أكوا بارك تورز ،

الرحلات والأحداث المدرسية ،

وسائل النقل الفاخرة لحفلات الزفاف ،

نقل الأحداث الرياضية ،

مناولة المجموعة ،

نقل الأمتعة الإضافية ،

مدينة أبو ظبي للسياحة ،

أبو ظبي لتأجير السيارات ،

رحلة بحرية في أبو ظبي ،

سفاري أبوظبي الصحراوي ،

تأجير حافلات أبوظبي ،

ميثاق اليخوت في أبوظبي ،

جولات التسوق في أبو ظبي ،

انتقالات المطار،

يمكننا ترتيب انتقالات مطار خاصة من أو إلى أي مطار في الإمارات العربية المتحدة من أجل:

الزوار / السياح ،

جولات مشاهدة المعالم ،

يمكننا ترتيب جولات خاصة لمشاهدة معالم المدينة في الإمارات العربية المتحدة حسب ،

تفضيلات العميل ،

تأجير الحافلات ،

تأجير حافلات دبي ،

تأجير الشاحنات ،

شركات الحافلات ،

شركات النقل في دبي ،

نقل المطار دبي ،

نقل دبي ،

نقل مطار دبي ،

شركات النقل في دبي ،

نقل المطار ،

حافلة دبي

شركة نقل في دبي ،

النقل في دبي ،

النقل في دبي ،

حافلات للإيجار ،

حافلات للايجار في الامارات

باص للايجار في الامارات

ميني باص للايجار

ميني باص للايجار في الامارات

ميني باص للإيجار في دبي ،

ميني باص للايجار في الشارقة

ميني باص للايجار في عجمان

تأجير باص عجمان ،

تأجير باص صغير بعجمان ،

استئجار حافلة في عجمان ،

تأجير حافلات دبي ،

تأجير الحافلات في دبي ،

تأجير الحافلات في الإمارات العربية المتحدة ،

تأجير حافلات في الشارقة ،

تأجير حافلات في أبو ظبي ،

تأجير الحافلات في رأس الخيمة ،

استئجار حافلة في الإمارات العربية المتحدة ،

الرؤية في دبي ،

رؤية الشارقة ،

جولة عالم فيراري ،

جولة دبي ،

جولة في دبي ،

جولة الشارقة ،

جولة الشارقة

جولة العين ،

جولة العين ،

رحلة الفجيرة ،

جولة عمان ،

جولة مسقط ،

جولة مسندم ،

تأجير حافلات أبو ظبي ،

استئجار حافلة في أبو ظبي ،

ميثاق الحافلة ،

النقل من المطار بالحافلة ،

النقل الفندقي بالحافلة ،

حافلات مطار دبي ،

استعن بمدرب ،

استأجر سيارة فاخرة ،

استئجار حافلة فاخرة ،

استئجار حافلة في رأس الخيمة ،

استأجر سيارة في دبي ،

استأجر سيارة في الشارقة ،

استأجر سيارة في أبو ظبي ،

تأجير حافلة مدرسية ،

استئجار حافلة الحضانة ،

باص للايجار في دبي

شركات تأجير الحافلات في الإمارات العربية المتحدة ،

شركات تأجير الحافلات في دبي ،

شركات تأجير الحافلات في الشارقة ،

شركات تأجير الحافلات في الفجيرة ،

شركات تأجير الحافلات في عجمان ،

شركات تأجير الحافلات في أبو ظبي ،

شركات تأجير الحافلات في العين ،

جولة ديبا باص ،

جولة حافلات خورفكان ،

استئجار حافلة في الشارقة ،

استئجار حافلة في دبي ،

استئجار حافلة في عجم��ن ،

استئجار حافلة في رأس الخيمة ،

باص المدرسة للإيجار ،

استئجار حافلة للمدرسة ،

نقل الموظفين ،

نقل الطلاب ،

نقل الركاب بالحافلات ،

نقل العمالة ،

حافلات كوستر للإيجار ،

حافلات ASHOK LEYLAND للإيجار ،

[architectnews]

Shortlist revealed for AHEAD MEA 2020 hospitality awards

Dezeen promotion: a cluster of luxurious tents in the Namibian desert and a hotel set amongst verdant gardens in Marrakech are some of the projects shortlisted in the Middle East and Africa heats of this year's AHEAD awards.

The AHEAD MEA awards give praise to outstanding hospitality projects that have launched, opened or reopened across the Middle East and Africa between January 2019 and February of this year.

Zannier Hotels Sonop, a group of guest tents in Namibia, is on the shortlist

Entries were initially organised into 15 categories, which acknowledge everything from a project's guest suites to its landscaping and outdoor spaces.

A shortlist was then composed by a judging panel of leading experts from the hotel industry. This year it includes figures such as Leila Abdul Rahim, design director of Hilton Worldwide, and Pallavi Dean, founder of studio Roar.

Another project on the AHEAD MEA awards shortlist this year is Dubai's Opus hotel

Among the projects on the shortlist is Zannier Hotels Sonop, a group of 10 tents that perch over huge granite boulders in the Namibian desert.

Decadently designed to evoke old-world safari charm, inside the tents have been decorated with vintage maps, binoculars and telescopes.

Also on the shortlist is The Oberoi Marrakech, which is surrounded by lush gardens

Other projects on the shortlist include the Opus hotel in Dubai designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, which is set inside a cuboid glass building that's punctuated by an irregularly shaped void.

Also on the shortlist is The Farmstead at Royal Malewane, an intimate lodge that looks out over the tree canopies of a national park in South Africa, and The Oberoi Marrakech, which is nestled amongst 28 acres of Mediterranean gardens and citrus trees.

Additionally on the AHEAD MEA 2020 shortlist is The Farmstead at Royal Malewane

This year – due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic – the final stages of judging will take place over a series of video calls between 30 September to 1 October, where those on the panel will review projects one last time before deciding on their favourites from each category.

Winners will then be announced on 9 November at the awards' inaugural "hybrid" event, which will involve a digital screening for overseas audience members and a localised on-the-ground ceremony for people part of the AHEAD MEA community.

See the full shortlist below:

Bar, Club or Lounge

Archer Bar & Eatery at Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, South Africa Twenty Three Rooftop Bar at Grand Plaza Mövenpick Media City, Dubai, UAE Siddharta Lounge by Buddha Bar at W Muscat, Oman St. Trop at Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre, UAE

Guestrooms

Four Seasons Hotel Doha, Qatar Lekkerwater Beach Lodge, De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa The Farmstead at Royal Malewane, Hoedspruit, South Africa The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, UAE

Hotel Newbuild

Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, South Africa ME Dubai at Opus, UAE The Museum Hotel Antakya, Turkey The Social House Nairobi, Kenya

Landscaping & Outdoor Spaces

Anantara Sahara Tozeur Resort & Villas, Tunisia Le Palais Ronsard, Marrakech, Morocco The Farmstead at Royal Malewane, Hoedspruit, South Africa The Oberoi Marrakech, Morocco

Lobby & Public Spaces

Le Palais Ronsard, Marrakech, Morocco Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, South Africa ME Dubai at Opus, UAE Vida Hotel Emirates Hills, Dubai, UAE

Lodges, Cabins & Tented Camps

Abelana River Lodge, Phalaborwa, South Africa andBeyond Ngala Treehouse, Timbavati Private Game Reserve, South Africa Habitas Namibia King's Pool, Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, Botswana Lepogo Lodges' Noka Camp, South Africa Puku Ridge, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia Zannier Hotels Sonop, Namibia

Renovation, Restoration & Conversion

andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, Namibrand Nature Reserve, Namibia Four Seasons Hotel Doha, Qatar Le Palais Ronsard, Marrakech, Morocco Long Lee Manor, Shamwari Private Game Reserve, South Africa

Resort

Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Abu Dhabi, UAE Anantara Sahara Tozeur Resort & Villas, Tunisia The Oberoi Marrakech, Morocco W Muscat, Oman

Restaurant

Bull & Bear at Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre, UAE Keystone at Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, South Africa Mina's Kitchen at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, UAE Nammos Restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Dubai, UAE

Restaurant

Bull & Bear at Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre, UAE Keystone at Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, South Africa Mina's Kitchen at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, UAE Nammos Restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Dubai, UAE

Suite

Anantara Sahara Tozeur Resort & Villas, Tunisia Four Seasons Hotel Doha, Qatar Le Palais Ronsard, Marrakech, Morocco Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, South Africa

The post Shortlist revealed for AHEAD MEA 2020 hospitality awards appeared first on Dezeen.

[juniperpublisherswb]

Juniper publishers-The Root Results of Oak Sudden Death in Plain Barm, Zagros Forest, Fars, Iran

Abstract

Quercus is a dominant genus throughout Zagros mountain forest and has been for the past 5,000 years or more. Oak distribution has shifted in response to changes in climate, disturbance regime, and human population and culture. Oak dominance has decreased throughout the 10 years of since 1998. In the recent decades the Mediterranean and semi-Mediterranean forests have been faced with climate changes. Zagros forest is 5milion ha of Iran forest that located in west of Iran. Most of species is oak involve Persian oak (Quercus. Brantii Lindl). During of 1998-2014 several reported of sudden oak dead with charcoal disease (fungi disease). The disease was spread of all Territory of Zagros Mountain that caused to dead of 1miliom hectare of oak. In the Zagros Mountains we would attitude ‘integration’ through a strong focus on local participation. Aims to conserve the biodiversity by using participatory approaches that ensure the active involvement of local people. Iran loss 1.5milion ha of its forests through spread of disease and pest in Zagros Forest. These include the charcoal disease and Chrysobothris Parvipunctata beetle of Buprestidae family that become aggressive on stressed trees, and several root and stem decay fungi. In its study we were surveyed the root results of oak sudden death in plain Barm, Zagros forest, Fars, Iran.

Keywords: Oak Sudden Death; Charcoal Disease; Beetle of Buprestidae; Zagros Forest; Fars; Iran

Go to

Introduction

Iran is positioned on the southwest of Asia forming a bridge connecting three continents of Asia, Europe, and Africa. It is bordered by Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkmenistan, and the Caspian Sea on the north, Afghanistan and Pakistan on the east, Oman Sea and Persian Gulf on the south, and Turkey and Iraq on the west (Road Atlas of Iran 2004). The country is part of the Iranian Plateau that constitutes a vast and high terrane, which is bordered by the Caspian Sea on the north, Amu Darya, Syr Darya, and Kora River plains on the northeast, Sindh and Punjab Rivers plain on the southeast, the Oman Sea and the Persian Gulf on the south, and the Tigris river plain on the southwest. The total areal extent of the plateau is about 2,600,000 km2, of which 1,648,195 km2 is accounted for by Iran, and the rest covers Afghanistan, Pakistan, and former Soviet republics. The area of Iran is 3.7% of Asia and 1.09% of the total land on the Earth’s surface [1].

The Iranian Plateau is a triangular-shaped piece of land between the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea on the south and the Caspian Sea on the north and plays the role of a bridge between Central Asia and other plateaus in western Asia and Europe [2]. The longest stretch of Iran runs from the Ararat Mountains northwest to the Goater Port on southwest and measures 2,210km, while the widest stretch is between Sarakhs on the northeast and the Arvand River on the southwest, measuring about 1,400km [1]. Half of Iran’s land surface is mountainous, 1/4 covered by fertile and productive plains and the other 1/4 covered with salty arid deserts [2].

The southernmost point of Iran is the Goater Port located on 25° N latitude, and the northernmost point is the Ararat foothills 40°N. The easternmost point is Kuhak on the border with Pakistan, while the westernmost point is Bazargan on the border with Turkey. Iran’s geographic coordinates are between 44° and 63° 5¢ 30″ E longitude and 25–40° N latitude [1].

The time difference between the easternmost and westernmost points is about 1h and 18min. The perimeter of Iran is about 8,700km of which 2,700km (or nearly one-third) is marine (Persian Gulf, Oman or Makran Sea and Caspian Sea) and the rest is terrestrial. The marine border line from the Arvand River estuary to the Goater Port stretches about 2,000km [1]. Based on the latest administrative division system provided by the Interior Ministry of Iran Website, Iran consists of 31 provinces, 385 counties, 961 districts, 1,120 cities, and 2,473 rural districts (Figure 1).

Zagros Mountains

These mountains begin in Kordestan and extend to Khouzestan, Fars, and the southern coast. The length of this mountain range is about 1,000km and its width around 200km. These mountains are much more expanded, well ordered, and simpler (from stratigraphically standpoint) than Alborz. Most geographers call Zagros as “Great Jura” because there are well-ordered and compressed anticlines and synclines than those seen in Alborz and look like what is seen in the Jura Mountains of Europe [1].

Western and Southwestern Mountain Ranges

The highest mountains in Lorestan are Oshtoran-kuh (4,050 m) and Garin (3,645 m). In middle Zagros, the highest peak is Dena (5,200m), which is the highest in all Zagros Mountain range. In northern Zagros (Kordestan and Kermanshahan), the highest mountains are Chehel-cheshmeh (3,173m), Shahou (3,390m), and Parou (3,357m). The Alvand Peak in Hamedan Province with a height of 3,580m is one of most beautiful mountains in Iran.

The Zagros Mountain blocks the moisture coming from the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean on their western flanks, resulting in the formation of huge reserves of snow and ice. The water produced due to melting of these reserves runs down through numerous valleys, such as Karoon, Karkheh, and Zayandeh-rud. The rivers originating from Zagros erode the mountains, especially in the northern and central parts. In some places, rivers like Zab and Sirvan cut the mountains sharply, while in the southern part, due to orderly folding of Zagros, rivers carve their valley parallel to the axis of the mountains (Orohydrography Map of Iran 1994) (Figure 2).

Oak Forests in Iran

Zagros forests, in the west, cover about 5 million hectares, comprising the semiarid forests important for protecting water supplies, regulating climate, and providing nonwood forest products. Tree Species in Zagros forest are mostly oak that involve: Q. persica،Q.infectoria، Q.libani، Q.magnosqumata. Other species mostly involve: celtis caucasica, Amygdalus scoparia, A.lycioides, Daphne mucronata, Pistacia atlantica. Zagros forest mostly sever numerous other environmental, social and rare economical functions. They are vitally important for preserving watershed for adequate water supply in Zagros mountain, Zagros forest provide shelter for wildlife, recreation and aesthetic renewal for people, Zagros forest is providing fodder for grazing of animal husbandry that is tools of livelihood of local people involve tribes and villages. Oak is very important in Zagros mountain Due to benefits of Quercus brantii. and its important role in soil and water protection.

Oak Decline

Oak forests in the Zagros Mountain are affected by declines. Characteristics of the site including both poorly and are predisposing factors. Inciting factors that have been important in the past include drought, fungi, dust, and defoliating insects and diseases. Many contributing factors have been associated with oak decline. These include the charcoal disease and Chrysobothris Parvipunctata of Buprestidae family that become aggressive on stressed trees, and several root and stem decay fungi.

Sudden Oak Death

The symptoms that define Sudden Oak Death were first recognized in 1998-2014. Over the next few years, SOD reached epidemic proportions in oak forests along approximately 1milion ha of the central Zagros coast. The main hosts included fungi disease in Persian oak. The rooting result of oak death was Outbreak of charcoal disease caused of fungi of B. Mediterranean on Quercus SPP Trees in forest of Zagros Mountains in Iran. Ascospores of Biscogniauxia mediterranea on Quercus brantii was find in 2010 in Zagros forest (Figures 3 & 4).

Recent oak decline, which covers a relatively vast area of Fars province, the oak forests of Plain-Barm which were most exposed to drying. Infected factors on dead oak including human factors (branch and/or clear Cutting and pruning, rain-fed farming under the trees in the forest floor, etc.), climatic factors (rainfall and temperature), and disturbing factors (pests and diseases) were assessed. Oak forest which dominates between 1,000 and 2,000 m elevation of Zagros Mountain that almost 40 % of the country’s forests.

Losses or dramatic declines of forest species, populations, or age classes due to pests and pathogens can have major impacts on ecosystems. These impacts include changes in ecosystem structure, decreased biodiversity, changes in hydrology and nutrient cycling, and cascading impacts throughout the food web [3,4]. The potential for forest pests and pathogens to interact with other ecological perturbations and yield unexpected or nonlinear responses is of concern [5,6].

Go to

Insect

The knowledge of the interaction between insects and oaks in Zagros forest is still very poor. Although often unnoticed, ignored, or unappreciated, insects can be the most numerous, diverse, and damaging animals inhabiting forests. Insect damage to forest trees results directly from ingestion or destruction of plant parts that are fed upon, from colonization (such as tunneling or boring) of trees during feeding and reproduction, or from toxins they egest. The degree of damage that results from these activities vary widely among insect species, their various immature and mature stages, and the tree species and its stage of development from seedling to mature tree. The size of the insect population often strongly influences the degree of damage that results. Because the part of the tree that is damaged also influences whether the damage is merely cosmetic or serious, the different locations of feeding and breeding on and in trees is a convenient way to categorize groups of insects that damage forest trees.

Chrysobothris parvipunctata beetles (Figures 5 & 6) infest their galleries with fungi that serve as food for their larvae. Bark beetle adults bore through the bark and produce tunnels called “galleries” in the relatively thin area composed of the vascular cambium and adjacent phloem and xylem. After mating, females lay their eggs between the bark and the wood, either along their galleries or in special niches.

Two species of insects of Buprestidae family that have spreading in the Zagros forest through decrease of rain involve: Agrilus biguttatus, Fabricius (1776) and Anthaxia hungarica, Scopoli (1772). Other Disease Insect in Zagros Oak Forest Involve: Leucoma wiltshire, Tortrix viridana, Porthesia melania(Strand), Laspeyresia fagiglandana(Zeller), Marsham Curculio glandium, lymanteria dispar(Linnaeus), Malacosoma nustralia, Tortrix viridana (Lep.: Tortricidae) and Cynipidae. Tortrix viridana is a serious pest of oaks in the Fars oak forests. Oak bud tortricid (Tortrix viridana) has five larval instars in Fars oak forests. The pest overwinters as diaposed eggs. The first larval instar emergence coincides with tree budburst when they enter bud scales. Porthesia melania Stgr. (Lep., Lymantriidae) is the most important pest of oak trees in Zagros Forest, either and its larvae feed on upper surface of oak leaves. The highest and lowest densities of larvae were observed in the late March and mid-May, respectively. During summer and winter, no larvae were observed on oak leaves. The third larval stage which lasted eight months from the late July until mid-March in diapauses form, was the longest life stage of the oak moth. The pupae were formed in the soil.

Go to

Forest Pest Management Principles and Practices

Knowledge of the biology of tree and insect or pathogen interactions may suggest one or more appropriate pest management principles. These principles can be considered “strategies,” or general approaches to minimizing the effects of damaging agents on trees and forests. Six strategies that are employed in forest pest management, including attempts to control pests of nursery seedlings and landscape trees, are:

i. Resistance: Utilization of trees with inherent, genetically controlled characteristics that minimize pest impacts, or use of practices to increase the ability of trees to defend themselves;

ii. Exclusion: Prevention of the introduction of a pathogen or insect to an area where it is not already present;

iii. Protection: Placement of a barrier or other material (usually chemical) that interferes with interaction of the pest and the tree;

iv. Eradication: Removal or destruction of pathogen or insect life stages to reduce or eliminate pest populations;

v. Avoidance: Utilization of locations, conditions, or practices that do not favor, or even suppress, development of disease and/or insect infestations;

vi. Therapy: Treatment to cure already diseased or infested trees (may involve employment of one or more of the other strategies listed above).

Go to

Clearcutting, Regeneration and Burning

Clearcutting and burning results in the immediate loss of pest and fungi, and selective logging will modify forest structure and microclimate. After secondary forest regeneration in clear cut areas or on plantations (and agroforest ecosystems), at least part of the species may reestablish. The resulting distribution patterns of fungi and their communities are diverse, reflecting the microclimatic and substrate conditions in their secondary microhabitat, and the progress and speed of succession. This involves cutting in three phases:

In the first phase, the patient trees, or those with unwanted characteristics, are removed to create space for more highly preferred trees, thereby also halting the development of undesirable specimens or entire species. In the second phase, favourable conditions allowing oak regeneration (basically controlling canopy opening) are promoted. In the third phase, the remaining mature trees are harvested, once the new crop has been established, thus removed tree would burning that pest was not spread in all country.

Go to

Felling of Diseases Trees

Diseases trees were clear in autumn seasonal by saw. In spring some of its tree have regenerated (Figures 7 & 8).

Pruning

Dead branch of oak tree in pilot forest of Plain-Barm, Kazerun in 30ha was cut by saw. In spring seasonal (after 3 month), the trees blossomed (Figure 9).

Burning

Thus, gather to cleared wood, burning pest tree to fungi was final phase in treatment and improvement of polluted forest (Figure 10). The evaluation of oak decline in Missouri (America) showed that oak decline was as a result of interacting factors of tree stress (insects, drought, and freezing) secondary diseases and pests (root fungi and insect holes). Subsequently, the tensions cause to weaken trees, reduce growth, and eventually lead to die [7]. Trees faced to long-term stress (pollution and competition) are susceptible to die in the short-term effects of environmental stresses (drought, insects and diseases) [8].

The study conducted in the Netherlands showed oak decline is associated with fluctuations in groundwater [9]. Ogaya [10] in Spain concluded that drought phenomena caused to decrease biomass and tree growth and eventually led to tree growth. The research was conducted in the South-East Sweden indicated that reduction the size of the trees, Sunny habitants, non-clay soils and pests are the obvious features of habitants with decline trees [11].There are many factors that cause to make decline so that various studies in different areas prove this value. Adverse condition of climate makes vulnerable habitants for investing pests [12] and growing fungi [13], increasing air pollution and decreasing soil nutrients [14,15]. Increasing the temperature had a significant effect on tree growth in south of Europe [16].

Drought can have in fact a strong impact on carbon fluxes and thus on the carbon sequestration potential of ecosystems. Experimental drought and warming resulted in a trend to reduce 33% the biomass of a Mediterranean shrubland [17]. Stem diameter increment of Quercus ilex and Arbutus unedo, two typical Mediterranean species, were reduced by 41 and 63%, respectively, in an experimental 5-year drought treatment, as well as the increment of live aboveground biomass (by 83%), together with increased mortality rates [18]. Quercus ilex showed strongly decreased net photosynthesis rates (44%) and stomatal conductance (53%) in autumn after a drought treatment [10].

During the last four years (2009- 2012) several reports of forest tree decline were received, complaining about serious damage and death of many trees. The disease has been spread throughout forests of Zagross mountains which extend from north west to south west of Iran covering approximately 4,000,000 ha. Also, the disease has been spread throughout forests of Alborz mountains in the north of Iran. The infected tree species included Q. brantii, Q. castaneifolia and Zelkova carpinifolia. Q. brantii Lindl. (Persian oak) has dominated in all parts of Zagros mountains from north to south, especially on the southern side of mountain in Ilam, Lorestan, Kohgilouyeh va Boyer-Ahmad, Fars and Kermanshah provinces. Zelkova carpinifolia (Pall.) Dippel, and Quercus castaneifolia C.A. Mey are native to the Caucasus and Alborz mountains in northern parts of Iran. The decline began with browning of the leaves, viscous liquid exudation on the branches and trunks resulting in a brownblack discoloration of bark and woody tissues. In the winter of the next year fungal growth induces a typical charcoal-black surface on diseased branches and trunks. The perithecia of B. mediterranea were observed in a black carbonaceous layer on the stem surface erupting from the declined trees and the ascospores were visible under light microscope. Perithecia were obovoid, containing, amyloid asci, with dark brown ellipsoid ascospores, with straight germ slits along the spore-length. Based on these morphological characteristics, the fungus was identified as Biscogniauxia mediterranea. Pathogenicity tests were conducted using an isolate of B. mediterranea on six-month-old Q. brantii seedlings using a mycelial plug of B. mediterranea colonized potato-dextrose agar and the symptoms were observed after two months and the same fungus was re-isolated. Based on previous studies infections occur in healthy living trees as endophyte and then become invasive under water stress conditions in most reports. B. mediterranea has been reported to be aggressive on drought stressed hosts. During the last ten years climate changes has occurred in Zagros forests and resulting drought stress extending desert areas followed by occurrence of the fine dust phenomenon has reduced the photosynthesis of the forest trees and making them more vulnerable to the disease. Despite tolerance of Persian oak species to the range of temperatures from -31°C until +45, the incidence of charcoal disease has been increased dramatically on Q. brantii forests. Based on our current knowledge, Q. brantii represents a new host of B. mediterranea and this is the first report of Persian oak charcoal disease outbreaks throughout Zagros mountain forests of Lorestan, Ilam, Fars, Kohgiloye va Boyer -- Ahmad and on Zelkova carpinfolia in Daland forests of Gorgan area.

Go to

Other Influence Factors on Decline Oak

The Iranian Water Crisis

Located in one of the most arid regions in the world, Iran has an annual average precipitation rate of 252 millimeters, approximately one third of the global average. Exacerbating the severity of water shortages, as much as 70 per cent of precipitation is lost to evaporation. Estimates suggest that lower-than-average precipitation in 2013 caused a 30 per cent reduction in the volume of water in dams across the country, with only five exceeding 90 per cent capacity. According to the Institute for Forest and Pasture Research, groundwater levels have dropped two meters in recent years across 70 plains, affecting as much as 100 million hectares. According to the UN Development Program, the level of Iran’s per capita water resources is predicted to fall to as little as 816m³ in 2025, down from2,025m³ in 1990.

Iran is divided into six key and 31 secondary catchment areas. Besides the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman Basins, all of Iran’s basins are in the interior, where renewable freshwater sources are limited. Close to half of Iran’s total renewable water is in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman Basins, representing one quarter of its land mass. Conversely, the Markazi Basin covers more than half of Iran’s land mass but holds less than one-third of the available freshwater.

Climate Change

Forest development is expected to be affected by the expected change in climate in response to the rapid increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, particularly carbon dioxide (IPCC, CO2) (2001). Climate change will alter the abiotic conditions under which plant species can establish, survive, reproduce, and spread. These effects are expected to increase plant stress and decrease survival in the drier, warmer, and lower elevation portions of species ranges [16]. Abiotic factors probably constrain the range of many invasive plants and limit their successful establishment [13,19]. With climate change, however, new habitat, once too cold or wet, may become available, enabling plants to survive outside their historical ranges and expand beyond their current ranges.

Climate change impacts, while not a direct cause of Iran’s current water scarcity, will exacerbate water shortages and reduce already limited rainfall. According to Massoumeh Ebtekar, head of Iran’s Environmental Protection Organization, Iran’s climate has already warmed by 1.5 to 3 degrees due to greenhouse gas emissions. The seventh biggest greenhouse gas producer in the world, Iran is ranked 114th of 132 countries in the 2012 Environmental Performance Index produced by Yale and Columbia Universities. Of concern are Iran’s water resources and air pollution.

Climate change induced temperature and precipitation variability will reduce available freshwater and increase the incidence of drought conditions. Traditional Qanat systems are better equipped to store water and prevent evaporation; while reliance on dams and reservoirs for water supply will lead to greater surface water loss through evaporation and lack of storage capacity. Estimates suggest available water could halve between now and2050 due to climate change [20]. If this occurs Iran will face severe water insecurity and current tensions are likely to intensify, leading to internal conflict, mass internal displacement and urban migration, and a severely degraded agricultural system. The impacts of such events on Iran’s economy, environment, citizens and governance would lead to considerable instability in an already unstable region [21].

Water Scarcity

Food security is closely linked to water availability, which is claimed to be increasingly insufficient for agriculture, livestock, and household use in the villages. Extended dry seasons and deforestation have affected the water supply. Farmers now need to carry water from sources one to three kilometers away, further exacerbating the burden of food production (Figure 11).

Dust

Dust storms import up to 200 to 500-million-ton mineral dust particles into earth atmosphere in all over the middle east, Asia and Sahara [22] they affect directly visibility and have daily influence on military and economical operations in dust storms susceptible regions. Hence to identify this phenomenon aspect is necessary in respect to its enormous outcomes. Dust is one rooting cause of oak decline in Zagros forest. Recently, the occurrence of dust storms has taken on new dimensions and this issue has become a serious regional crisis. Fars province is one of the areas that is affected by this phenomenon. The deterioration of surface vegetation cover may strongly influence the occurrence of dust storms in Zagros Mountain [22].

Stress Complexes

In the context of the effects of climate change on ecosystems, sensitivity to disturbance interactions is extended to environmental drivers not usually identified as disturbances. For example, extreme temperatures, drought, and air pollution put forest ecosystems under stress, which may increase their vulnerability to “true” disturbances such as fire, insect outbreaks, and pathogens. Air pollution exacerbates drought stress from warmer temperatures, which amplifies biotic stresses such as insects and pathogens [23]. The stress complex for California forests is represented in (Figure 12); interacting disturbances form the core of drivers of ecosystem change, modified by climate, management, and air pollution.

Drought

Projections of drought extent over the next 75 years show that the proportion of global land mass experiencing drought will double from 15 to 30 % [24], and on most land masses, dry season precipitation is expected to decline by 15 % [25]. The oaks as a group are quite tolerant of drought, primarily because they have large root systems, leaf morphological characteristics that reduce transpiration, and the ability to maintain gas exchange and net photosynthesis to comparatively low levels of leaf water. The development of a strong taproot system in oaks provides them access to moisture from deep soil layers, a source less available to their more shallow-rooted competitors. The oaks are better adapted to xeric environments than many of their common mesophotic competitors. Impacts associated with extreme events such as heat waves, extreme precipitation or storms, may strongly affect the carbon cycling in agriculture, forestry and natural ecosystems (Figure 13).

Wood Production

Turkey and Iran are the main producers of wood products in Middle East and have established considerable plantations in areas with higher wood productivity for production purposes.

Wood Production

There has not industry wood in Zagros Forest, except to woods that will acquired of agroforestry of farmers in agriculture land that is mostly poplar tree (trembling poplar tree, populous alba and populous nigra).

Wood fuel

Firewood is a byproduct of forest management operations that comes from maintenance pruning, sanitary felling, and thinning (Figures 14 & 15). The linear function estimates published by Montero et al. [26] relate firewood yield to oak tree diameter, both for firewood resulting from pruning and from tree felling treatments. Thinned trees are assumed to have a diameter 35–40 % lower than the average diameter of the holm oak stand, with a 75 % firewood yield, based on lower intensity management than the empirical data used by Montero et al. [26].

Charcoal

Three wood properties appear to be important when considering the effectiveness and efficiency of charcoal production methods: woody species traits, wood dimension, and wood moisture content (FAO 1985). Broad-leaved species deliver the best charcoal due to their high wood density and high lignin content. For example, oak (Quercus) meets processing requirements quite well.

The method known as the ‘traditional earth pit’ is the most common processing tool applied in the Talamanca Mountains. This is probably the oldest method to produce charcoal in the world [27]. Normally, a large pit is dug in the forest ground (often in pastures) and properly sealed with soil material. The size of the pit differs from place to place, depending on the availability of raw material and the practices of the villagers. For the purpose of the current study, the cavity (earth pit) assessed was designed to fit the same amount of wood (4m3 wood) as that consumed by the transportable metal kiln (Figure 16).

Even higher, at elevations of 2,700–3,000m, oak forest has been cleared for charcoal production. This was still a major source of income for farmers. Charcoal is produced mainly based on oak (Quercus branti) and to a lesser extent, orange spp. Today, the production of charcoal from living trees is prohibited by national legislation. Therefore, charcoal producers currently uncover decaying oak logs still scattered around in pastures.

Non-Wood Forest Product (NWFP)

In the Zagros forest and Zagros paramour grassland environments, poor peasants gather cloves and damask rose for ornamental arrangements, especially in the period before the spring season. These non-vascular plants are locally important as non-timber forest products (NTFPs) of considerable commercial value. They are sold to truck drivers who take them to urban markets (‘ferias’) in plain-Barm, Fars. Although all landscape units provide some medicinal value, the forest was by far the most important, contributing over one third of all value. More than 15 per cent of medicinal products derive from gardens or the village itself. The tragacanth gum is an important commercial gum produced by several shrubby plants of the genus Astragalus, particularly in Zagros Forest, Iran. About 70% of the supplies of tragacanth gum originate from Iran, but small quantities are also produced in Afghanistan. Iran’s average annual production potential is estimated at 400tonnes and in 1988 export was 142tonnes which increased to 257tonnes in 1990. Tragacanth gum is mainly exported to the EU, US, Japan and the countries of the former Soviet Union [28]

Firewood and Acorn Yields Other of Damage Factors

Silvopastoral management of oak woodlands provides fuelwood from oak and shrub clearing or tree pruning, fodder (acorns, grass and browses), cereal fodder in long rotations, wild game, honey, and other diverse private goods and services [29].

Economy Zagros

Enough annual rainfall allowed agriculture without irrigation in much of Persia. Agriculture within Zagros forest is not a recent occurrence and has been well established for centuries. The economic crisis in many developing countries has reduced the purchasing power of low-income families and limited even further their ability to pay for formal sector housing or services. Many households in peri-urban areas do not enjoy a regular income. As noted above, families settle in peri-urban areas for rational reasons, primarily because land prices or rents are low

Climate change in Zagros Mountain, Iran will have social, political, and economic implications, which will be determined in large part by existing structural conditions and long- term trends. Although there has been significant diversification of the economy in recent years, Zagros people still depends heavily on agriculture. Unfortunately, in one decade soaring drought and change climate sent Zagros’s economy into a tailspin, severely constraining public- sector spending. Rising average temperatures in and of themselves will not significantly affect the Zagros forest states: the region is already one of the moderate, cold places on the planet.

Iranian Livestock

The Zagros of western and southwestern Iran is a mix of agronomic, social, and economic traits that forms a time-tested agrosilvopastoral system involving about less half the Iranian free-ranging livestock. Forests play an important role in the livelihoods and welfare of a vast number of people in both developed and developing countries; from urban citizens taking a recreational stroll in a nearby forest to isolated hunter gatherers who live in and off the forest. Livestock population numbers are high, and the domestic production of feed is limited. Livestock production in the Zagros Forest is an important part of the forestry production system. Livestock provides a major source of income in the drier areas where agricultural production is limited, and a supplementary source of income in areas where rainfall is better but erratic. For example, in Iran, livestock population is estimated at three times the feed production capacity of the rangelands. The result is that the traditionally organized forest grazing, with low livestock numbers on agreed rotations, is now breaking down as the pressure on the forests has significantly increased.

Population Growth

Population growth and its consequences on land use, in addition to land degradation and price shocks, are already a major concern for sustained forest and agricultural productivity in the region. The trend of changes in temperature, precipitation and climatic extremes will add to this stress. The agriculture of the region is potentially vulnerable to environmental and climate changes, and this threat can severely affect food security. The predicted temperature increase beyond 3؛C in most regions [29] is likely to have very adverse impacts on agriculture, water resources, ecosystem production and human health [30]. In Iran population has doubled since 1979, and the demand for more agricultural and pastoral products has forced people to convert forest and rangelands into cultivated land, and to overuse wood and plants as fuel for household cooking and heating [31].

Agriculture

The most obvious reason for deforestation is the conversion of forest lands for cattle ranching and agricultural crops, industrial activities and logging for timber. Transportation infrastructure has been linked to aggressive and rapid change in land use, with new roads making previously remote areas of forest accessible to farmers and ranchers, thus facilitating conversion of forest land to agricultural crops and use as pasture. Deforestation rates in Zagros forest have again been rising encouraged by record world prices for agriculture products, pushing the agricultural frontier ever further into Zagros forest. Global climate change has already contributed to rising temperatures in the Zagros forest which, when combined with deforestation, have led to a cycle of lower precipitation and a greater frequency of droughts. Conversion of oak forests to pomegranate gardens are rooting causes of destroy of its forests.

Tribes

Tribe living along Zagros forest (Figure 9). Tribes are people that migrate in ever seasonal for providing of diet for livestock. In autumn and summer, they are in plain –Barm forest, kazerun, thus they will migrate to colder some Abadeh and Eghlid city. During the pre-contact era oak trees were plentiful and served as a staple food source for most tribes. Tribes of the Barm Plains lived similar than those of the other Zagros mountain forest Basin did. Tribes of the same language Family lived in the same environment. Many tribes were organized into clans, clusters of related families traced back to a common ancestor. Ghashghae tribe live in Zagros forest with members from other area tribes. Ghashghae is largest and most populous in Iran. Inhabitant’s farm, raise livestock, cut lumber, and are generally self-sufficient. They still practice traditional customs, such as hunting, fishing, acorn-gathering, basket making, beadwork, and the White Deerskin and Jumping dances. Other tribal members earn a living through farming, raising livestock, and leasing oil rights to their lands. Livestock, especially sheepherding, soon became essential to Zagros tribe economy. Keep in mind that each tribe has a detailed history and culture to be further explored.

Each has individuals who have made or who are contributing to their own people or to the general society through leadership and in art and literature. Also keep in mind that each tribe has its own worldview and ceremonials.

Grazing

The effects of livestock grazing on the oak woodland community vary widely according to timing, intensity, and livestock type. Not surprising, responses to grazing are highly variable among plant and animal species.

Vegetative elements important to wildlife (e.g., grass, woodland shrub cover, and litter biomass) may be reduced, changed structurally, or otherwise altered by livestock grazing [32]. Grazing can reduce small mammal abundance [33]. And can alter the foraging behavior of wild herbivores such as deer [34]. Several studies conducted in the Southwestern US and in California oak woodland suggest that well-managed grazing systems can benefit native plant and wildlife species. For example, native perennial grasses were found to benefit from being grazed by cattle and sheep [35], and Marty [36] reported higher richness of aquatic invertebrates and native plants in continuously grazed vernal pool grasslands than at ungrazed sites in Central California oak woodland. Several endangered species are known to benefit from grazing, including San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica) [37], and Stephen’s kangaroo rats (Dipodomys stephensi) [38]. Weiss [39] found that grazing was necessary to maintain habitat suitability for the endangered Bay checkerspot butterflies (Euphydryas editha bayensis). It has been argued that if livestock are properly managed, desired goals of animal production, economic sustainability, and wildlife conservation can usually be achieved [40].

Goats, Sheep and Cattle

In Zagros the forest and scrubland grazed is estimated at 5 million ha. Livestock production is a main economic activity, both in high rainfall areas where it represents a secondary production system, but more so in areas of limited rainfall where, in many cases, it represents the primary source of revenue. Livestock production provides insurance when crops fail. In addition, goats are a preferred source of protein as they are more readily transportable (Figure 17).

Fire

The use of fire as a management tool in agriculture and rangeland, combined with public apathy, neglect in fire management, arson, the irresponsible behavior of tourists and picnickers, and social conflicts are the main causes of uncontrolled fires, which burn significant areas of forest every year [41]. Although direct mortality from exposure to heat or smoke is quite rare, fire indirectly affects animals by its effects on habitat. As Wirtz et al. [42] documented for small mammals, longer-term response to fire varies among species and is proportional to the alteration of the habitat. In the post-burn years, wildlife composition moves toward species adapted to the level of complexity of the habitat created by the fire. Careful use of prescribed fire in oak woodland to mimic historical fire intensity and fire regimes can promote biodiversity at the landscape level [43]. Possible similarity between the effects of fire and of livestock grazing on habitat was proposed recently as a research hypothesis by Purcell and Stephens [44-47]. Much will be gained by a more thorough understanding of how grazing can be managed to influence woodland habitat structure in a manner like that of prescribed burning. Air quality regulations, risks to property, and cost are making prescribed burning more difficult to implement. In summary, prescribed fires of low intensity can help to maintain woodland habitat mixes and their associated diversity, either alone or in combination with low intensity grazing. More research on this topic is clearly needed, however (Figure 18).

To read more articles in JOJ wildlife and biodiversity please click on: https:// juniperpublishers.com/jojwb/index.php                                    

For more open access journals in juniper publishers

[genjain]

It was actually not in my mind to travel for 2019. The main reason for this is because my family is coming over for Christmas and new year. 😊 But since I was not permitted to take my annual leave on the busy seasons, I took a local leave last August for 25 freakin' days without any specific plan on what to do!!! 😂

Suddenly my friends thought of going on a road trip to the land of frankincense ~ Salalah, Oman. It was a last-minute decision for me because as I said... I do not have any plans to go out of UAE this year.

We started from Dubai and passed by Hatta, and then to Muscat's mountainside. My co-driver used maps on his phone to navigate toward a hotel that we prebooked as our stopover ~ to spend the night before we hit the road again.

As we drove between mountains, my claustrophobia triggered. A panic attack is real!!! Suddenly I could not breathe properly, as if the mountains were too close to me. My friends noticed me struggling and tried to distract my thoughts by playing oldies music ~ but hey, that actually relieved me!😂😂😂

As the sun started to set, the streets became more difficult. Aside from the bumpy road, there were no street lights or even road signs. We even had a wrong turn (yep, it was as creepy as the wrong turn movie 😱). We even stopped near a mosque and bought refreshments in a nearby cafeteria(the few people were weirdly looking at us). Everyone could not even think of falling asleep on the way because of the eerie atmosphere. Despite that, I really enjoyed this kind of experience.😁 I was brave, though my mind played tricks on me. 😎

Nonetheless, we still made it safe and sound in that spine-chilling quiet town. The hotel was nice but felt spooky because the place was really almost soundless. I even tried to scare my friend that I saw a ghost on one of the windows. 😂 I wonder why my mind was so active that night, with too much imagination running in my head(felt like someone was standing beside my bed or even whispering to me).😳 Thank God, I still had a decent sleep.

We rose up early in the morning and guess what, it's my turn to drive. 😉 it was a nice long drive. The most memorable drive ~ my first time driving at 160mph for 9 hours. The view was stunning! It was as if we were on planet Mars because the sand was red and the horizon was endless. There were no buildings, no trees or even mountains ~ just plain desert with one road.

After that lifeless view, we were finally greeted with greenery! I wish you could also experience that amazing switch of scenery. 😍 It's as if I was back in my hometown (Davao), a place covered with healthy grass and trees. And the most interesting part was that there were camels everywhere in green land, instead of cows.

You might be wondering how we survived a total of 16 hours of travel by road, well, as long as you are with the best people, that's all you need. As they say, good times and crazy friends make the best memories! 🤪

[harrychiu1]

In 2015 I went to Muscat, Oman. And here is the story:

We went to Muscat via Dubai. Now Dubai was a spectacular city, built in the middle of the desert, truly a testament to the abilities of mankind. But to be honest after a hand full of nights there we were bored. We didn’t have much to do, so as we were wont to do in those days we decided to seek and ultimately created our own adventure.

First step in creating an adventure—scour google maps. We looked for any interesting town bordering the UAE that we can reach and explore in a 48-hour period. And so we found Muscat… a town southeast of Dubai, in the country of Oman. A town and country none of us had ever heard of. But when has that ever stopped us from a good adventure? So after a quick perusal of the CIA factbook, the city was deemed safe enough for travel. So on we went… first stop-- the airport to pick up a rental car. Now given that we were in Dubai, having lived a life of luxury the past 5 nights, we decided to rent a Mercedes, because why not-- it didn’t cost too much. And so on to our second stop…

A check point. Where was it? I honestly can’t recall. Because not only was a checkpoint our second stop but it was also our third, our fourth, fifth and honestly I really don’t know how many more. Between our place of origin to our destination we stopped at no fewer than seven checkpoints (at least that I can remember). And all the while we were driving around in our Mercedes, in the deserts of Oman, in scarcely populated towns, with checkpoints every half hour. I mean... we didn’t exactly feel safe, despite assurances from the CIA. The drive felt a bit ominous, like disaster can strike at any moment, but… we were on our way and there was no turning back.

And so we arrived at Muscat, late in the middle of the night. Having booked a hotel that we found via 3G service in the car. We arrived at a town completely devoid of people. But rest was what we needed, for we were driving all night. So into our room we went, into our beds we fell, into our dreams we drifted.

The next morning was filled with excitement. After a late night journey across the middle east we were ready to explore. Because you see… with Dubai, sure it was a city in the middle east from a geographical perspective, but at its heart it was just a large sprawling city. That sure, had a middle eastern vibe but really wasn’t that different from any big city. Instead, we wanted to experience the real middle east, with it’s local cuisine, sprawling medinas, mid-day prayers, beautiful mosques, etc. And so here we were in Muscat.

And here were the handful of memorable sights, experiences and stories of our adventure in Muscat: • The Scenery- while driving around the city and outside of it, we witnessed the most beautiful scenery that to this day in all my travels I have yet to surpassed. From the fantastic hills to the splendid beaches, I had never seen so many spectacular shades of brown and beige in my life. Driving up and down the hills, walking barefoot along the beaches, the scenic Oman was really something special • The Medina- by the city center was this grand medina. Now this was my first experience with a medina-- of which I’ll actually have more experience with later in my life in Morocco. But your first is always the most special. Vendors left and right with exotic trinkets, spices, treats. None of which you’ve seen before. An overwhelming of the sense, not just in sight, but of smell, of hearing, of taste. Nothing epitomizes an adventure like wandering around a middle eastern medina • The Floors- building after building, courtyard after courtyard, I had never seen such perfectly groomed areas. Particularly the outdoor marble floors that highlighted many of the museums and municipal buildings. They were groomed and waxed to perfection… seriously. They were perfectly polished surfaces that could seamlessly mirror your image amongst the clouds. We had a running joke that if we ever had a massive mansion with marble floors we would hire an Omani to nourish it • The Mosque- this wasn’t simply just marveling at the beauty of the mosques we encountered in Oman. As beautiful as they were it wasn’t the view that stood out. In our hastily planned trip, we decided to know nothing about the local customs. And so we tried to enter a beautiful mosque we scoped out on our drive around the city. Upon an attempted entrance in the front we were promptly stopped by guards. We knew not what each other was saying but of course, taking them for their word (or gestures) we simply walked away. But then… upon walking back to the car we noticed another entrance in the back of the mosque, and so we tried our luck again. Maybe foreigners belonged in the back entrance, or so we reasoned. And at first we thought we had made it, as we were half way through the entrance… but then suddenly we see a woman running towards us, frantically waving her hands. In a state of panic we decided to do what any rational human would do… we walked (or really ran) away. It wasn’t till later after a few google searches that we found out that foreigners are only allowed in the mosque in the morning and the back entrance we tried to enter was only for women. Neither criteria of which we met at the time

And so that was our Omani adventure. It was short but sweet. It was a true first (small) taste of middle eastern culture, and one that would be hard to forget.