A .Interim Report Form

For Research Projects Funded through the National Science, Technology and Innovation Plan (NSTIP)

1. PROJECT INFORMATIONProject Code 12-ENV2581-02Project Title A Holistic Ecosystem Approach for the

Sustainable Development of Fragile Agro-ecosystems: A case study of the Al-Kharj Ecosystem, Saudi Arabia

Principal Investigator Prof. Abdrubalrasoul Mosa AlomranInstitution King Saud UniversityStrategic Technology Area Environmental technologyProject Period (Starting Month/Year – Ending Month/Year)

Started 1/1/2014– Ending 1/1/2016

Reporting Period (Starting Month/Year – Ending Month/Year)

Started 1/1/2014– Ending 1/1/2015

Project Budget (SR) 1816600Project Summary (max. 300 words)

The importance of this research proposal is to develop sound ecosystem-management interventions and policy-change recommendations aimed at enhancing wellbeing of communities living in the ecosystem. These recommendations will be developed on the basis of good understanding of the agro-ecosystem structure and dynamics. Using the holistic agro-ecosystem approach, a multidisciplinary research team from KSU in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders have been endeavor to develop packages of technical, behavioral, and institutional interventions to help restore Al-Kharj ecosystem and allow for sustainable agricultural development of the system. This project is supporting the goals of the NSTIP in the identified strategic technology area through: 1) establishing a national infrastructure for environmental technologies by acquiring; ICS 5000 (Ion Chromatography), GIS and groundwater softwares, and initiating nucleus for water quality lab. 2) Transferring, localizing, and developing high-quality environmental technologies to address national environmental issues by creating interdisciplinary research team in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders. 3) Promoting innovative research by using modeling and new instruments; furthermore, publication on conferences and good journals. 4) Developing national and international strategic partnerships and providing scientific consultation in the field of environmental technologies, through inviting the international consultant to visit KSU and gave general lecture in faculty; in addition to advice have been made to our project. The project team work adopted periodic visit to study area to meet farmers to give advice and deeply understand the ecosystem.Our plans for the second year of the grant are:

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1) Complete the spatiotemporal monitoring and assessment of the ecosystem attributes

2) Finalize building up database (named Eco-InfoBase) for ecosystem using remote sensing and geographic information system (RS/GIS) technology

3) The model testing has been carried out; however, more study in Al-Kharj will be adopted.

4) Determine linkages between ecosystem attributes and ecosystem degradation

5) Develop appropriate interventions and recommendations

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2. PROJECT PROGRESS

Objectives Phases Tasks

Status (Completed, Ongoing, Planned,

Modified *, Discontinued*)

Percentage of

achievement

1) Understand the ecosystem history and identity

Phase 1, task 1

1. Define ecosystem problems in collaboration with the community using PRA methods2. Develop a questionnaire and prepare and conduct a town-hall meeting

Completed

Completed

100%

100%

2) Assess and monitor the spatial-temporal variation of ecosystem attributes

Phase 1, task 2

Collect and analyze geo-referenced soil, plant, and water samples

Ongoing 60%

3) Build an Eco-InfoBase for the ecosystem using RS/GIS technology

Phase 2, task 1 1. Build the Eco-InfoBase database

using suitable access and GIS programs

2. Detect changes of the land resources using RS and GIS

Ongoing

Ongoing

70%

60%

4) Construct and test models

Phase 2, task 2

Apply the saltmed model under the study-area conditions.

Ongoing 80%

5) Determine linkages between ecosystem attributes and ecosystem degradation.

Phase 3, task 1

The linkages between ecosystem attributes and ecosystem degradation will be determined on the basis of the results of the investigation and assessments of the different components of the ecosystem (including the physical resources and community) that were conducted in this study.

Planned After carrying out all project tasks

6) Develop appropriate interventions and recommendations

Phase 3, task 2

Appropriate interventions and recommendations for restoring the ecosystem will be developed. Two types of interventions will be developed: community-based interventions and issues requiring government actions and policy changes.

Planned After carrying out all project tasks

(*) Give details below if modified or discontinued.

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Describe in 1,000 words or less:This study aimed at identifying the obstacles to the adoption of specific land management practices. The team employed used different methods to collect data during the year (2014). A well-structured questionnaire to collect information on the land treatment and management was designed based on the discussions with the focused groups.The team trained 5 experts working in the field for the data collection and with their assistance, required information and data were collected on the 123 study questionnaires. To make the information presentable and meaningful, the data were analyzed by using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).Based on the study objectives, the technical and economic constraints were identified and the degree of knowledge of the farmers on the soil and water treatment was also determined. The objectives of the study have been achieved through the application of descriptive statistical analysis and distribution of Brnilloli - that is also known as the binomial probability distribution. The study revealed that: (1) Despite the farmers have the high degrees of knowledge on the water resources, their usage and problems; still they used some different irrigation methods. The farmers have low level knowledge on environmental problems.So far, coding for different variables has been accomplished and information gathered through the administered 123 questionnaires has been statistically analyzed and copy of tasks accomplished so far is attached to this report.In the present study water quality index has been computed to assess the suitability of groundwater for drinking water purposes in Kharj, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. For calculating the WQI, twelve parameters have been considered such as: pH, total dissolved solids, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, chloride, sulfate, nitrate, and boron. The results indicate that most of studied wells are considered poor water “class (III)”. The groundwaters are also evaluated for irrigation. The results show that the studied waters are considered saline with no sodium hazards. The hydrochemical analysis concluded that the studied water samples correspond mainly to magnesium – calcium/sulfate – chloride water types which are mainly due to the geology of the study area comprising gypsum, and anhydrite. The geochemical modeling shows that almost all water samples were undersaturated with respect to halite and most of them are saturated with respect to anhydrite and gypsum. Consequently, the halite minerals tend to dissolve leading to possibility for further groundwater salinity increase.The use of deficit irrigation strategy for irrigation water management, under greenhouse conditions in the arid environment of Saudi Arabia, resulted in 80% ETc being the best treatment relative to crop water productivity (CWP) and final yield; however, decreasing irrigation water to 30% ETc caused a very high CWP while decreasing the final yield. Following successful calibration and validation, the SALTMED model proved its ability to predict soil salinity and water content, and cucumber yield under several deficit irrigation strategies. In this study, the SALTMED model calibration highlighted the need for dividing the soil into several horizons; the use of four soil horizons resulted in a better soil water calibration and correlation than the use of the whole root zone as one layer. The model proved its ability to handle several hydrodynamic processes simultaneously through soil water and its relation with the crop and atmosphere. More variation in soil water and salinity of the top soil layers were observed compared with the other layers. It was also found that there is slight water content overestimation by the model for both calibration and validation processes. On the other hand, the soil salinities (EC dSm-1) were slightly underestimated. More work is needed to investigate the Saltmed model suitability under Saudi Arabia conditions. The model’s good estimation of

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soil water contents and soil salinities has practical implications. It means that the model is able to estimate the amount of irrigation supplies required to bring soil salinity and the soil water profile from a given soil salinity and water to a desired soil salinity and water level.

Future work,

1. Complete collecting and analyzing geo-referenced soil, plant, and water samples.2. Build the Eco-InfoBase database using suitable access and GIS programs3. Detect changes of the land resources using RS and GIS.4. Apply the saltmed model under the study-area conditions.5. The linkages between ecosystem attributes and ecosystem degradation will be determined on the

basis of the results of the investigation and assessments of the different components of the ecosystem (including the physical resources and community) that were conducted in this study.

6. Appropriate interventions and recommendations for restoring the ecosystem will be developed. Two types of interventions will be developed: community-based interventions and issues requiring government actions and policy changes.

Problems and difficulties

1. The numbers of water samples were too much to be collected on four different dates from 200 sites over a period of 12 months. The 200 water samples take more than 2 months to be collected using two separate working groups. The team works suggest collecting the 200 water samples in summer and winter seasons that can cover the spatial and seasonal variations.

2. We suggested in the proposal that the Nagan area, suffer from waterlogging and soil salinization. However, when visit the area and investigate this problem by digging hole to depth up to 2 m and with help of community, we concluded that the Kharj area not suffer from water logging (see the photos below). On the other hand, water and soil salinity are considered the main problem in Kharj. Therefore, no need for water-table depths monitoring.

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3. Purchasing equipment and chemicals from outside the country take longer time than the expected.

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3. PERSONNEL INVOLVEMENTProvide details addressing the contributions of each person in accomplishing the project tasks/objectives during the reporting period. Include personnel involved that are not supported by NSTIP award.

Team Members

Name Contribution

Investigator Prof. Abdrubalrasoul Mosa Alomran

Principle investigator (PI): leading the teamwork

Co-investigator/s CO-PI (1): Soil- and water-resource evaluation and modeling.

CO-PI (2): defining ecosystem problems in collaboration with the community. (Identifying regional human activities and practices, particularly those that enhance ecosystem degradation within socio-economic and cultural constructs).

CO-PI (3): building an Eco-InfoBase for the ecosystem using RS/GIS technology.

Consultant/s Project consultant 1 (Local): Water quality expert and one of Kharj stakeholder

Project consultant 3 (International): a modeling expert for the Saltmed model.

Student/s (specify undergraduate, M.S. or Ph.D.)

Have been trained for modeling and using ion chromatography apparatus

Working in project field sampling and laboratory analyses of plant, soil and water samples.

Research Staff (e.g., Postdoctoral Associate, Technician, Manager)

Project field sampling and laboratory analyses of plant, soil and water samples.

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4. RESEARCH OUTPUTSInclude information in the following categories that directly relates to your NSTIP-funded project. Include details, status (e.g., accepted, published, submitted, under preparation), and dates for each category that applies to your project.

OUTPUTS:Patents: (List details on a separate sheet) Quantity Status Date

Patent applicationsPatent registrationsLicensesOther research commercialization activities

Publications: (List on a separate sheet, the details of the publication, e.g., title, journal, impact factor with source such as Thomson Reuters ISI) Quantity Status Date

Refereed publicationsNon-refereed publications such as journal articles, reviews, conference papers, books and book chapters:1. Al-Omran A., A. Sallam, A. Aly. 2014. Spatial

monitoring and assessment of Al Kharj groundwater, Saudi Arabia (Abstract). Egyptian Soil Science Society (ESSS) Conference, (The 11th

International Conf.) 5-7 May, 2014.2. Al-Omran A.M., Aly A.A., A.A. Khasha. 2014.

Water Management for Cucumbers: Greenhouse Experiment in Saudi Arabia and Modeling Study Using SALTMED Model (Abstract). The 6th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture June 22 – June 25, 2014

3. Aly A.A., A.M. Al-Omran, A.A. Khasha. 2015. Water management for cucumber: Greenhouse experiment in Saudi Arabia and modeling study using SALTMED model (Full Original Article). Journal of soil and water conservation (2015) 70(1): 1-11. doi: 10.2489/jswc.70.1.1

4. Al-Omran A., A. Aly., A. Sallam, Al-Shayaa. 2015. Hydrochemical Characterization of Groundwater in Arid Environment under Agricultural Land: a Case Study in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia (Full Original Article). Journal of Environmental Quality (submitted to Journal)

4Three published and one submitted to Journal

2014 and 2015

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Presentations Quantity Status DateState the quantity and list & specify on a separate sheet whether they were conference talks, seminars, lectures, invited talks, etc., and whether they were institutional, regional, national or international.

1. Al-Omran A., A. Sallam, A. Aly. 2014. Spatial monitoring and assessment of Al Kharj groundwater, Saudi Arabia (Abstract). Egyptian Soil Science Society (ESSS) Conference, (The 11th

International Conf.) 5-7 May, 2014.2. Al-Omran A.M., Aly A.A., A.A. Khasha. 2014.

Water Management for Cucumbers: Greenhouse Experiment in Saudi Arabia and Modeling Study Using SALTMED Model (Abstract). The 6th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture June 22 – June 25, 2014

2 Two presentation in two conferences

2014

Technical Outputs Quantity Status DateList below any technical outputs such as CDs, software programs, databases, algorithms, and measurement instruments.

Acquiring; ICS 5000 (Ion Chromatography), GIS and groundwater software, and initiating nucleus for water quality lab.

Acquired 2014

Service to the Research Community Quantity Status DateList any membership on national and international science committees, advisory boards, journal editorial boards, conference organizing committees, etc.

Preparing bulletins of awareness to Al-Kharj farmers

1 In progress

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Impact on Policy Quantity Status DateList any contributions to development of research or clinical guidelines, review protocols, indicators, membership on government advisory committees, commissioned governmental agencies, meetings with policy makers, etc.

Awards and Honors Quantity Status DateList any major awards, indicating their scale—regional, national, international—and honors such as academic chairs and endowed positions.

Other Quantity Status DateList any other forms of research dissemination that is intended for non-scientific audiences (such as radio talks, newspaper articles, television appearances).

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5. BROADER IMPACTS OF THE PROJECTInclude information in the following categories that directly relates to your NSTIP-funded project. Include details and dates for each category that applies to your project.

Teaching and Training Describe courses, classes, and workshops that were developed, and your role in the activity (for example, teacher, organizer, developer).

A training course of Saltmed model. The course is carried out by project consultant (Prof. Ragab Ragab). In additions, to general lecture in water management

InfrastructureIf you purchased equipment, describe how it adds to the capability of the institution and training of researchers outside the project. Indicate whether this equipment is available elsewhere in the institution and why its purchase was necessary for this project.

The ICS 5000 (Ion Chromatography), as nucleus for water quality lab. This equipment is not available elsewhere in the institution and its purchase was necessary for this project due to give access for water analysis. Furthermore, it is adds to the capability of the institution and training of researchers outside the project.GIS and groundwater software: These software are not available elsewhere in the institution and its purchase were necessary for this project due to give access for the interpretation of water quality results. Furthermore, they are add to the capability of the institution and training of researchers outside the project.

CollaborationsDescribe the institution, disciplinary focus, research expertise, and nature of any new or unforeseen partnerships that were developed during the project.

In this research project, we are using a holistic ecosystem-management approach that employs participatory, interdisciplinary, and equitable techniques. In this regard, we conducted—in consultation with the local community and other stakeholders—a field, laboratory, and community diagnostic assessment of Al-Kharj agro-ecosystem resources, particularly land and water. With the results of the ecosystem analysis, we would be better able to develop appropriate ecosystem-management interventions, recommendations, and policies aimed at promoting the sustainable development of the Kharj in harmony with its delicate ecosystem.An interdisciplinary research team of soil science, water quality and management, molding, GIS and remote sensing, and agricultural extension and rural community experts.

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FundingDescribe how this research has led to additional funding or prospects for future funding awards and contracts for project investigators, students and staff. Please list the applications, dates, reference numbers, and amount awarded, if applicable.

OthersDescribe the benefits of your research to society that are not covered by the categories above.The society get benefits through evaluating their soil and water quality and suggest suitable plants can plant under each conditions. Some farmers have very low water quality which should avoid planting moderately and sensitive crops. We are planning to invite an expert in weeds control to give advice to farmers in how can they control weeds in environmentally friendly ways.

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5. BUDGET

Category First year Second yearAmount Awarded

Amount Expended

Amount Awarded

Amount Expended

Consultant (International)

20000 6930 32000 --

Consultant(Local) 16000 -- 16000 --

Principal Investigator 72000 -- 72000 --

Co-Investigator/s 50000 -- 50000 --Consultant/s 50000 -- 50000 --Consultant/s 50000 -- 50000 --Student/s (specify undergraduate, M.S., Ph.D.)

20000 6350 20000 --

Research Staff (specify Postdoctoral Associate, Technician, Manager)

90000 30700 64000 --

Administrative Staff 8000 -- 8000 --Major equipment (list items >100,000 SR below)

550000 550000 -- --

Other Equipment (list items >10,000 SR below)

180000 35032 -- --

Materials & Supplies 80000 31669 40000 --

Travel (e.g., training, conference, field trips)

98400 39319 93400 --

Dissemination (e.g., publications, patents, workshops, public outreach)

9000 -- 29000

Other (specify any >1,000 SR)Total 1293400 700000 524400 --Please list equipment (>10,000 SR) purchased. In addition, provide brief descriptions of travel, dissemination, and other expenditures during the reporting period. If funding sources other than NSTIP have supported any aspect of the research program, please

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describe the funding amount and nature of support (financial, in-kind, facilities, etc.) Also, comment on any existing core or shared research facilities that you have used for the project to date. If category expenditures differ from budgeted amounts by more than 10%, please comment. (max. 150 words)

7. Describe any other concerns and comments related to the interim progress of the research project that were not covered in the sections above (max. 250 words).

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