Characterization, Diversity and Biological Control of Fungal Species Associated with dieback disease of Juniperus seravschanica in Western Hajr Mountains in Oman.

Summary: Juniperus seravschanica (Zeravschan Juniper) outspreads from central Asia to south Asia and Iran. J. seravschanica (locally known as is Al Alan) is a native specie restricted in Arabia to the western Hajar Mountains of Oman; al Jabal al Akhdar and Jabal Shams. It also occurs in Jabal Qubal and Jabal Kawr. Al Alan is the only native coniferous tree exist in Oman. Although ecological, socioeconomic and cultural importance of Zeravschan Juniper, Juniper populations declined with poor regeneration. The conservation status of J. seravschanica has been changed from vulnerable in 2008 to endangered in 2015. Climate change (e.g., drought, heat stress), over-grazing and anthropogenic pressure are the main causes resulting in degradation of such woodlands. Recently, Juniper stands are suffering from an apparent dieback symptom. Few studies address the effect of abiotic factors (e.g., climate change) on the decline of Juniper woodlands in Oman. However, no studies documented the role of biotic factors in the loss of Juniper stands in Hajar Mountains. The current study will analyze the causes of die-back disease of Zeravschan juniper woodland in western Hajr mountains in Oman.