Weed Communities Of Date Palm In Eastern Arabia

Abstract

The present study deals with the recognition and description of the weed communities of date palm plantations in Al-Hassa Oasis, . Eastern Arabia. Thirty three communities are recognized. They are classified, after the life forms of their leading dominant species, into the following five groups: annual grassy, annual herbaceous, perennial grassy, perennial herbaceous and shrubby communities. The annual communities thrive under segetal conditions (the cultivated farms), while the perennial ones, particularly the shrubby communities, thrive under ruderal conditions (neglected farms). The communities of cultivated farms are characterized by higher species richness and lower species turnover, as compared with those of neglected farms. This finding is discussed in relation to the theory of substrate heterogeneity.