Editing Oman (section)

=== Biodiversity ===
[[File:Nakhalfarms.jpg|thumb|left|Nakhal palm tree farms in Oman's [[Al Batinah Region]]]]
[[File:The-Worlds-Most-Isolated-and-Distinct-Whale-Population-Humpback-Whales-of-the-Arabian-Sea-pone.0114162.s001.tif|thumb|right|Non-migratory Arabian Sea [[humpback whales]] off [[Dhofar]]]]

[[Desert shrub]] and desert grass, common in southern Arabia, are found in Oman, but vegetation is sparse in the interior plateau, which is largely [[gravel]] desert. The greater monsoon rainfall in Dhofar and the mountains makes the growth there more luxuriant during summer; [[coconut palm]]s grow plentifully on the coastal plains of Dhofar and [[frankincense]] is produced in the hills, with abundant [[oleander]] and varieties of [[acacia]]. The Hajar Mountains are a distinct [[ecoregion]], the highest points in eastern Arabia, with [[wildlife]] that includes the [[Arabian tahr]].

[[Indigenous (ecology)|Indigenous]] [[mammal]]s include the [[leopard]], [[hyena]], [[fox]], [[wolf]], [[hare]], [[oryx]] and [[ibex]]. Birds include the vulture, eagle, stork, bustard, [[Arabian partridge]], [[Bee-eater|bee eater]], falcon and sunbird. In 2001, Oman had nine endangered species of mammals, five endangered types of birds,<ref>{{Cite web|title=BirdLife Data Zone|url=http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/results?cty=160&hdnAction=ADV_SEARCH&rec=N&rlEN=Y&vag=N&so=rl|access-date=11 August 2021|publisher=datazone.birdlife.org|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009210519/http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/results?cty=160&hdnAction=ADV_SEARCH&rec=N&rlEN=Y&vag=N&so=rl|url-status=live}}</ref> and nineteen threatened [[plant species]]. [[Decree]]s have been passed to protect endangered species, including the [[Arabian leopard]], [[Arabian oryx]], [[mountain gazelle]], [[goitered gazelle]], [[Arabian tahr]], [[green sea turtle]], [[hawksbill turtle]] and [[olive ridley turtle]]. However, the [[Arabian Oryx Sanctuary]] is the first site ever to be deleted from [[UNESCO]]'s World Heritage List, following the government's 2007 decision to reduce the site's area by 90% to clear the way for oil prospectors.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/362 |title=UNESCO World Heritage Center – Oman's Arabian Oryx Sanctuary : first site ever to be deleted from UNESCO's World Heritage List |publisher=UNESCO |access-date=17 April 2010 |archive-date=5 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705132243/https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/362 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Local and national entities have noted unethical treatment of animals in Oman. In particular, stray dogs (and to a lesser extent, stray cats) are often the victims of torture, abuse or neglect.<ref>[http://www.y-oman.com/2013/06/animal-tragedy Animal Tragedy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529091646/https://www.y-oman.com/2013/06/animal-tragedy/ |date=29 May 2016 }}. y-oman.com. 27 June 2013.</ref> The only approved method of decreasing the stray dog population is shooting by police officers. The Oman government has refused to implement a spay and neuter programme or create any animal shelters in the country. Cats, while seen as more acceptable than dogs, are nevertheless also viewed as pests and frequently die of starvation or illness.<ref>Macdonald, Sarah (22 March 2014) [http://www.timesofoman.com/News/31423/Article-Strays-on-streets-a-growing-issue-for-Oman Strays on streets a growing issue for Oman] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112124040/http://www.timesofoman.com/News/31423/Article-Strays-on-streets-a-growing-issue-for-Oman |date=12 January 2015 }}. ''Times of Oman''</ref><ref>[https://www.y-oman.com/2013/11/captive-creatures/ Captive Creatures] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630003504/https://www.y-oman.com/2013/11/captive-creatures/ |date=30 June 2016 }}. y-oman.com. 21 November 2013</ref>

In recent years, Oman has become a popular spot for [[whale watching]], highlighting the critically endangered Arabian [[humpback whale]], [[sperm whale]]s and [[pygmy blue whale]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/whales/oman-whales_dolphins.html|title=Whales and dolphins of Oman – Dolphins, Humpbacks and Blue whales!|first=Powell|last=Ettinger|access-date=21 January 2016|archive-date=29 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729210846/http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/whales/oman-whales_dolphins.html#cr|url-status=live}}</ref>