Soil Degradation and Restoration in Southwestern Saudi Arabia through Investigation of Soil Physiochemical Characteristics and Nutrient Status as Indicators

Abstract

Soil degradation is among the major global concerns resulting in declined soil fertility, loss of soil organic carbon (SOM) and nutrients, and reduced pollinator visitations. The current study was performed to explore soil quality and fertility after restoration in southwestern Saudi Arabia, as new plantation could alter soil properties. A total of 78 soil samples were collected from restored and control (without any restoration) areas from Al-Jenebeen (AJ), Queen Rearing Center (QRC), and Shekiran (SK) from depths of 0–60 cm. Results exhibited that sandy loam was the most dominant textural class in all the studied sites (~60%), followed by sandy clay loam. All the soils were slightly alkaline and nonsaline. Due to restoration practices, the pH was increased in AJ and QRC, while decreased in SK areas. With restoration, EC in AJ and QRC sites decreased, but increased in SK. Restoration practices resulted in reduced SOM in AJ and QRC, while increased in SK. Increased SOM in SK may improve floral traits after restoration. Overall, restored SK possessed higher SOM and nutrients with reduced pH, and, hence, could be a potential source for honeybee flora. Further in depth analyses of restoration activities are needed to explore the long term effects on land rehabilitation.