The cloud forests on the seaward slopes of Oman’s Dhofar Mountains play a critical role in enhancing groundwater recharge across the region, supporting the Salalah coastal plain’s population, agriculture, and industry. Research indicates that these forests increase groundwater replenishment by approximately 20 percent beyond what is accounted for by rainfall alone.

This additional recharge occurs through a process known as fog interception. As moisture-laden clouds from the Arabian Sea move over the mountains, fine droplets collect on leaves, branches, and tree trunks before eventually dripping to the ground or flowing down bark, delivering water horizontally rather than through direct precipitation. Although some of this intercepted water is absorbed by vegetation, held in soil, or lost to evaporation, the forest canopy significantly boosts the volume of water reaching underground reservoirs.

A 2018 study published in the Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, conducted by researchers at Germany’s Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, documented recharge-to-precipitation ratios of up to 24 percent beneath dense forest areas. This is considered a notable figure for a semi-arid environment such as Dhofar.

Eng Ali bin Mohammed Rafeet, involved in the nature conservation initiative in Dhofar Governorate, emphasized the importance of viewing these forests as vital natural infrastructure rather than simply seasonal attractions. He highlighted their multifaceted contributions, including moisture collection, soil protection, biodiversity support, grazing resources, and enhancement of the tourism economy.

Satellite data analyses have yielded mixed results on the condition of the cloud forests over time. A 2020 review of three decades of Landsat imagery found no widespread decline across much of the mountain range, while earlier assessments covering 1988 to 2013 noted degradation in pockets of the forest, with grazing identified as a potential factor. Rafeet pointed out that the greater long-term threat may be the impaired regeneration of young trees and seedlings, rather than the immediate loss of mature growth.

Research from Jabal Al Qamar in western Dhofar has linked heavy grazing by camels, cattle, and goats to declines in plant density and biodiversity, particularly affecting juvenile vegetation. Rafeet advocates for improved grazing management tailored to the ecological sensitivity and carrying capacity of specific areas, rather than imposing outright bans.

Additional challenges facing the cloud forests include damage from vehicles on wet terrain, infrastructure development, fires, invasive species, and concentrated visitor activities. Conservation strategies, according to Rafeet, should focus on controlled access and designated pathways to safeguard the environment while allowing public enjoyment.

Increasing recognition of natural-capital accounting underlines the economic importance of ecosystem services provided by the forests, including water security, erosion control, biodiversity preservation, carbon storage, and tourism. Protecting these cloud forests is viewed as an essential investment in the long-term resilience of Dhofar’s economy and natural resources.

For decades, the khareef season has been assessed by visitor numbers, rainfall, and tourism metrics. Moving forward, understanding the volume of water these forests capture from clouds—and the implications of losing this vital service—may become critical measures for the region’s sustainability.