Taxon name
Halopyrum mucronatum
(L.) Stapf
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Halopyrum mucronatum
(L.) Stapf
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Plants
Flowering Plants
Species authority
(L.) Stapf
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
United Arab Emirates (the)
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Qualifying criteria (if given)
B1ab(ii,iii,v)
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
Assessment rationale/justification
Within the UAE, this species is restricted to coastal areas of the Arabian Gulf, from Abu Dhabi to Ra's al Khaimah, and recorded from at least one offshore island (Zirku Island). Western (1983a) recorded the species from Saadiyat Island and from Abu Dhabi Island, where it persisted even after levelling and back-filling with material in early 1982. The estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) is 14,328 km<sup>2</sup> and this species is considered to occur at between 5-10 locations, based on the threat of ongoing development. In addition, this development is causing a continuing decline in the extent and quality of the available habitat, especially as a result of it habitat specificity. Therefore, this species is assessed as Vulnerable (B1ab(ii,iii,v)). No regional adjustment is made as the extent of any rescue effect is not known.
Assessment details
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
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.
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
Within the UAE, this species is restricted to coastal areas of the Arabian Gulf, from at least Ra's Ghanadha at the northern end of the Al Taweela coastal plains (Brown et al. 2007) to Ra's al Khaimah (Jongbloed et al. 2003) in the north, and recorded from at least one offshore island (Zirku Island, Abu Dhabi Emirate; Brown et al. 2007). In addition, Western (1983a) recorded the species from Abu Dhabi Island and noted that the species formed a dominant broad belt for up to 100 m inland from north of Ra's Ghanadha, behind a clearly-defined barrier beach. Western (1983b) recorded the species from the seaward shore of Abu Dhabi Island, and that it persisted even after levelling and back-filling with material in early 1982. Al Meharibi et al. (2019) show presence to Abu Dhabi Island, hence perhaps the species does indeed persist there. Western also collected the species from Saadiyat Island (date uncertain, but assumed to be the 1980's). The estimated EOO is 14,328 km<sup>2</sup> and it is considered to occur at between 5-10 locations. Globally, its native range spans from Egypt south to Mozambique in Africa, Madagascar, through the Arabian Peninsula to India (Board of Trustees, RBG Kew 2018).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
A tough stoloniferous perennial grass that is usually found in coastal sand, forming mounds just above the highest tide line, with rhizomes spreading to several meters, forming tussocks (Jongbloed et al. 2003). It is a relatively specialised species, being found only within coastal sand dune habitats. Flowers from September until November (Jongbloed et al. 2003). It is dormant during the summer (Brown et al. 2007).
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
Grazing by livestock may impact the species in parts of its range, however the impacts from coastal development have been significant in terms of declines in this species. Known localities, such as Saadiyat Island, are now very developed which reduces the likelihood of this species persisting there.
History
Coastal development within the UAE has been increasing in frequency and intensity since 1996, reducing the extent and quality of available habitat for this species.
Publication
Allen, D.J., Westrip, J.R.S., Puttick, A., Harding, K.A., Hilton-Taylor, C. and Ali, H. 2021. UAE National Red List of Vascular Plants. Technical Report. Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, United Arab Emirates, Dubai.
