Alien flora of Oman: invasion status, taxonomic composition, habitats, origin, and pathways of introduction

Abstract We present the first inventory and status assessment of alien flora Oman, mainly based on field data collected from 1998 to 2021. The study provides (i) a comprehensive account vascular plant species occurring in wild with information their taxonomic composition. For each is given (ii) invasion (casual, naturalized or invasive), biogeography, habitat life-form characteristics, pathways introduction. Further, we (iii) explain differences composition different parts country, (iv) analyse drivers invasions Oman. Out 111 reported (7.7% total Oman flora), 34 are casuals 77 naturalized; latter seven considered invasive. moderate number likely result country’s arid climate, extremely high summer temperatures low annual precipitation most its area, relatively long isolation country. families richest Fabaceae (17 species), Asteraceae (14 species) Poaceae (12 species). More plants were found northern (82 than southern (60 very few recorded central desert (7 main habitats colonized man-made habitats, either ruderal agricultural. Most native South America (49 North (43 This knowledge base for developing national management strategy