Abstract from BTO Research Report No 436:

Grieve, A., Holloway, S.J., Rehfisch, M.M. & Fletcher, D.J. (2006)

Qurm Environmental Information Centre (QEIC) Development Project: Creation of Natural Lagoons and Visitor Facilities.
ISBN: 1-904870-74-0

INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Qurm Environmental Information Centre Development Project

Oman has been designated as the centre for mangrove conservation in the Middle East. The Qurm Nature Reserve at Muscat, Oman, established by Royal Decree in 1975, is a popular recreation area that contains good examples of mangrove forest. The Qurm Environmental Information Centre (QEIC) Development Project has been established as part of the objective to conserve and manage mangrove ecosystems in Oman (National Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan 2001) under the auspices of the Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources (MRMEWR) of the Sultanate of Oman aided by an initiative by the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Mangrove ecosystems provide a rich resource for both humans and the environment (Rehfisch & Holloway 2005, Holloway, Al-Kiyumi et al. 2006). An integral part of the Project is the creation of natural lagoons and a “nature trail” linked to the QEIC building proposed to be constructed at the Qurm Nature Reserve to provide facilities for the implementation of public awareness and education programmes for residents, visitors and tourists (JICA 2004).

1.2 Location

Qurm Nature Reserve lies within the municipality of Muscat on the Batinah coast of Oman, approximately 314 kilometres south of the border with the United Arab Emirates at Khatmat Malahah (see figure 1.1). It is surrounded on three sides by Muscat which has a population exceeding 1 million people and on the northern side by the Gulf of Oman (see figure 1.2).

1.3 Description of Site

The total area of Qurm Nature Reserve is 136 hectares of which tidal mangrove occupy an area of 74 hectares and 28 hectares of sabkha and sand dunes lie between 17 hectares of two tidal creeks which enter the reserve from the Gulf of Oman (see figure 1.3). The remaining habitat consists of pools lined with Juncus, an artificial brackish water ‘scrape’ and Acacia and Prosopis scrub (Kürschner 1986)

1.4 The provision of created natural wetlands and visitor facilities

Initially, as part of the proposed Qurm Environmental Information Centre a constructed artificial wetland was planned to help protect and secure the area from any further development pressures (JICA 2004). However, the constructed artificial wetland would have replaced much of the area of sand dune and sabkha in Qurm. This should be avoided if possible for the following reasons:-
a) The sand dune and sabkha habitats support a wide range of plants, invertebrates and birds and their survival would be threatened if a large part of the sand dunes and sabkha area is destroyed.
b) Sand dune and sabkha habitat is being destroyed elsewhere along the coast and it is important to retain examples of this habitat as part of the natural ecosystems at Qurm.
c) Qurm is a nature reserve and the protection of the extent of existing habitats is one of its most important functions.
d) Construction of a visitor centre and creation of wetlands should be carried out in an environmentally and ecologically sensitive manner to ensure that Qurm Nature Reserve is seen to be a demonstration of best practice for this type of development..

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