Demography of Juniperus phoenicea L. and Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endl. populations at Sarrawat Mountains, Southwest of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: The present study aims to identify the pattern and size of Juniperus species (Juniperus phoenicea and J. procera) in the natural forests in terms of tree dimension, size structure and density, discussing the existing both species in Sarrawat Mountains for suggesting the preservation, conservation, and sustainable development. For achieving this, the height and mean crown diameter of each individual was measured based on 2-4 diameter measurements per ind. (506 ind. for J. phoenicea and 322 ind. for J. procera).Results: The size index of both species was classified into 7 classes: the first (< 100 cm) and the second (100-200 cm) classes were chosen to represent the juvenile stage. The total mean of the J. phoenicea population increased with the increase of altitude, while the whole population decreased after altitude of 2,000 m. The total mean of the J. procera population increased with the increase of altitude till altitude of 2,000-2,100 m.Conclusion : s: The present study indicated that both of species grow at low altitudes, they only grow at altitude above 1,700 m above sea level. The present study indicated that the study area has the two Juniperus spp. (J. phoenicea and J. procera) associated together all over the area. The results were discussed and compared with other related studies.

Keywords

• conservation
• ecological range
• juniperus
• population
• size structure