Haloxylon persicum | UAE National Red List of Vascular Plants

Taxa
Haloxylon persicum | Bunge ex Boiss. & Buhse
Publication
UAE National Red List of Vascular Plants
Location
Countries in Assessment
United Arab Emirates
Country ISO code(s)
ARE
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Off
Scope (Assessment)
National
Taxon
Taxonomic Group
Plants
Taxonomic Group Level 2
Flowering Plants
Assessed taxon level
Species
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
Within the UAE, this species is restricted to an area from southern Abu Dhabi (including Al Wathba Wetland Reserve), west towards Tarif (Aspinall and Hellyer 2003, Böer and Saenger 2006). It is also recorded from the Al Ghada Protected Area within Abu Dhabi Emirate. The estimated Extent of Occurrence (EOO) for this species is 2,322 km<sup>2</sup>. Globally, this species is native to Egypt, the Arabian Peninsula and temperate Asia (Board of Trustees, RBG Kew 2019).
Habitats and Ecology
Ecological system type
Terrestrial system
No
Freshwater system
No
Marine system
No
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This small tree species grows on sand sheets and sand dunes (Böer and Saenger 2006). It can reach heights of 3 m and has fleshy branches with drooping shoots, giving an appearance similar to a weeping willow (Jongbloed et al. 2003). It produces yellow winged fruits and flowers between February and May (Jongbloed et al. 2003).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Assessed status
Asessment status in full
Near Threatened
Assessment status abreviation
NT
Assessment status criteria
B1a
Assessment rationale/justification
This species occurs in a distinct, restricted area within the UAE, with an estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) of 2,322 km<sup>2</sup>: this estimate falls within the threshold for threatened categories under Criterion B1. However, it occurs in at least two protected areas, with a significant part of its range occurring within the Al Ghada Protected Area. Based on the ongoing threats of grazing and development, this species is considered to occur in 10-15 locations, and also experiences ongoing habitat decline outside of its protected area range. Therefore, it is currently assessed as Near Threatened.
About the assessment
Assessment year
2019
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Affliation of assessor(s)/contributors/reviewers listed on assessment
Government
IGO
Assessor affiliation specific
Government|IGO
Criteria system
Criteria system specifics
IUCN v3.1 + Regional Guidelines v4.0
Criteria system used
IUCN
Criteria Citation
IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
Endemism
Endemic to region
Not_assigned
Endemism Notes
Is an endemic?: Not_assigned
Conservation
Threats listed in assessment
Grazing by camels, in addition to ongoing development, threatens this species outside of protected areas.
Conservation Measures

Conservation measures:
Conservation measures notes:
Required conservation measures:

Further information
History
This species would have been of a lower threat category in 1996 due to occupying a larger area. However, its distribution has now declined due to ongoing coastal development.
Scientific Name Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus
Haloxylon persicum Plantae Tracheophyta Magnoliopsida Caryophyllales Amaranthaceae Haloxylon