Increasing threats to plant diversity in Oman include loss of habitat through increased livestock holdings, lack of regeneration, spread of invasive species, a requirement for more land for housing, industry, roads and cultivation. In order to identify species at risk and threatened and vulnerable habitats, a list of the threatened flora is prepared using the IUCN Red List Categories. The threatened flora constitutes 4.6% of the total species, 80% of which occurs in the southern region of Oman. 0.7% of the flora is Critically Endangered, 0.2% Endangered, and 2.0% Vulnerable. 1.5% of the total species are placed in the Low Risk category and 0.3% which lack complete data on distribution and population status, in the Data Deficient category. The endemic flora constitutes 4.7% and the regionally endemic flora, 3.2% of the total species. Endemism is highest in the southern region where 46% of the endemic and regionally endemic species are threatened. In order to conserve the biological diversity of Oman, the need for more nature reserves, especially in the southern region is highlighted. © 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

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