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The Impact of Climate Change (Humidity and Rainfall) and Sulfuric Soil Properties on the Growth of the Ghaf Tree Over the Past Twenty Years

Organization(s):Hig School
Country:Oman
Student(s):Habiba Ashraf Tasneem Abdulaziz Shahama Al-Hakamani Under the Supervision of: Ms. Amani Al-Amri
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Member(s):Amani Mohammed Alamri
Contributors:Mr. Mousa Al-Riyami,Ms. Maryam Al-Amriya regional municipalities, and the Department of Agricultural and Animal Wealth, with special acknowledgment to Mr. Saeed Al-Hashmi Nama Group, represented by Engineer Saeed Hamada
Report Type(s):Virtual Science Symposium Report, Standard Research Report
Protocols:Relative Humidity, Precipitation, Soil Characterization, Soil Fertility, Soil Infiltration, Soil Moisture - Gravimetric, Soil Particle Size Distribution, Soil pH
Presentation Poster: View Document
Language(s):English
Date Submitted:2026-03-01
The findings indicate that climate change may exert positive effects on the growth of the Ghaf tree under specific environmental conditions. Increased relative humidity in Wilayat Mahout contributes to improving the efficiency of the photosynthetic process by reducing transpiration rates, thereby allowing stomata to remain open for longer periods and enhancing carbon dioxide uptake. This, in turn, positively affects nutrient absorption efficiency and prolongs the vegetative growth season. Furthermore, higher rainfall rates during certain seasons promote deeper and denser root system development and contribute to increased plant biomass by supporting rapid vegetative growth. In addition, adequate moisture availability enhances the efficiency of biological nitrogen fixation through the stimulation of symbiotic Rhizobium bacteria associated with the roots, while also increasing germination rates and improving seedling survival during the early stages of growth. With regard to sulfur-rich soils, the presence of sulfur as an essential nutrient involved in protein and enzyme synthesis can support the growth of the Ghaf tree, provided that soil acidity is properly managed and beneficial microbial activity is stimulated. Certain microorganisms play a role in decomposing heavy metals and converting them into more plant-available forms, while chemical reactions within these soils contribute to the release of bound phosphorus, thereby increasing its availability to plants. Moreover, exposure of the Ghaf tree to harsh environmental conditions stimulates the development of more efficient physiological and adaptive mechanisms. This is supported by field observations of the spatial distribution of Ghaf trees at distances ranging from 100 to 150 meters from water sources. In this context, a synergistic interaction emerges between increased rainfall and humidity on the one hand, and the characteristics of sulfur-rich soils on the other, leading to enhanced beneficial microbial activity that facilitates the transformation of sulfur compounds into less harmful forms and improves the overall root environment. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that positive climate changes, particularly increased humidity and rainfall, have the potential to significantly enhance the growth of the Ghaf tree, especially when combined with proper management of sulfur-rich soils through pH adjustment and the reduction of harmful salt accumulation, particularly sodium chloride. This positions the Ghaf tree as a highly adaptable plant species capable of utilizing climate variability to achieve higher productivity and support environmental sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions.



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