The Environment
The desert environment of the Qatari peninsula varies from low plains in most parts of the country to sand dunes in the south-eastern parts, with isolated sabkha, occasional pools, and well established trees such as sidr (Ziziphus nummularia), harm (Zygophyllum qatarense) and samr (Acacia tortilis) in the north.
Its strategic location in the Gulf region, on the course of many north-south and east-west migrating birds, has made the Qatari Peninsula of particular interest to ornithologists and a focal point for a wide range of resident and visiting birdlife. Most of the recorded migrating species stopover in Qatar during their spring and autumn passages from Europe and Asia to Africa and Southern Arabia. The most famous Qatari bird is the houbara bustard, while Socotra cormorants breed on coastal islands and a wide variety of coastal birds may be seen throughout the year, including povers, herons, terns and gulls. Inland, larks are a feature of the local birdlife with hoopoe lark, crested lark and black-crowned finch lark all present. In autumn the list swells to include swallows, swifts, martins, warblers, shrikes, flycatchers, wheatears, wagtails and a number of falcons including kestrel and harriers.
The Ministry of Municipality and Agricultural Affairs is paying special attention to preservation of endangered indigenous and migrating birds. A number of natural reserves has been established such as al-Wadhaihi in al-Shahaniyah, the gazelle reserve in Ras Ashairij and the ibex reserve on Halool island.
Qatari are known for breeding camels, particularly in the southern area around al-Kar'anah, al-A'reek and al-Qaseerah, Arab thoroughbred camel races are held annually in Qatar.
Coastal marine resources include important sea-grass beds, vital as shrimp, pearloyster and fish nurseries as well as providing feeding grounds for endangered dugong and turtles.
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