FLORA AND VEGETATIONAL ASPECTS OF MINIATURE DUNES IN A SAND-DEPLETED HALOXYLON SALICORNICUM COMMUNITY IN THE KUWAIT DESERT

Micro-nebkas are miniature dunes found around the base of dwarf shrubs in deserts and semi-deserts, and which represent distinct habitat pat ches. Their formation is due to the accumulation of wind-blown sand, p articularly on the leeward side of shrubs. The present study provides a first account of the flora and vegetational aspects of such dunes as sociated with the chenopod Haloxylon salicornicum in a sand-depleted a rea of Kuwait. Therophytes account for by far the largest proportion ( 88%) of the 51 species found on the 31 micro-nebkas investigated. Spec ies number on individual mounds is positively correlated with nebka si ze, not however, with total cover of the accompanying vegetation (i.e. without Haloxylon). Species with both Saharo-Arabian and Irano-Turani an phytogeographical affinities pre dominate. At the sand-depleted stu dy site, a distinct pattern was found with respect to vegetation devel opment and species composition on the micro-nebkas. Very striking is t he fact that the leeward side of these dunes offers the most favourabl e growth conditions for the majority of species, as indicated by the d ense vegetation cover and more vigorous growth of the individual compo nent species. The importance of micro-nebkas in sand-depleted communit ies as possible ''safe sites'' and also in alleviating further deserti fication processes is briefly discussed.