Uncovering the Hidden Value of Omani Soils: Exploring Cultural Ecosystem Services, Ancient Engineering, and Sustainable Practices

In Oman, soil resources and their ecosystem services have not been systematically evaluated and strategically planned, unlike water resources. Despite their occasional study and cataloging by local academics and the Ministry of Agriculture extension officers, the cultural ecosystem services of soils in Oman are often undervalued. Even on a global scale, soil indicators used in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals lack soils? social, well-being, and non-trivial economic dimensions that cannot be derived from soils? physical, chemical, and biological properties (PCBP). This research aims to explore and unveil the ways in which ancient Omanis mined, optimized and engineered local soil resources for constructing buildings, terraced soils, forts, Aflaj water channels, ancient potteries, and other artifacts under harsh environmental and landscape settings. The study also seeks to generate knowledge relevant to the sustainability of Omani ancient earth-made engineered structures, constructed ancient villages, and manufactured pottery, and to initiate awareness and appreciation among decision-makers, local citizens, and the international community on the socioeconomic value and importance of Omani soils in strategic sectors. The study will investigate the potential geological deposits that were used to optimize and engineer soil resources, including deposits in ancient lakes or caves. Specifically for this phase of the research proposal, we anticipate to concentrate of Falaj Daris and the surroundings soil-rocks related environments of the Nizwa Oasis. The proposed methodology consists of three components: gathering field soil data, documenting soil-related information from selected historical attractions, and collecting soil samples for laboratory physicochemical and petrographic investigation. The research will also involve statistical analysis of socioeconomic questionnaires and creating storylines and/or soil stories reflecting the environmental, social, economic, historical, and cultural heritage value of the Omani soils as linked to the selected historical sites. The significance of this research includes increasing awareness among local communities and decision-makers worldwide about the importance of soils in Oman and their rooted historical link to the ancient Omani civilization, attracting financial, technical, and scientific support to preserve ancient Omani soils connected to heritage-engineered structures, and quantifying the economic value of soil-based cultural services through eco-tourism. Furthermore, the research will outreach the Omani communities and international tourists about the historical, traditional, social, and financial values of these soils, commit the government to protect, develop, and preserve the soil and surrounding ancient monuments, and apply the know-how knowledge and skills learned from the practices and techniques used by our ancestors on the ancient soil systems as a case study for modern sustainable earthy-engineered projects.