Prevalence and Nutritive value of some Arid Range Plant Species in Raniah Province of Makkah District

This study aimed to investigate the frequency of prevalence and nutritive value of range plant species in Raniah province of KSA. Deterioration of rangeland in the province was evident by the decreased appearance of valuable species like Rabla (Plantago ovate), and Thumam (Panicum turgidum) which were encountered in only 30% of the sampling sites. Results of proximate analysis showed significant variation (P ˂ 0.01) in all components of the range species. The ash content, was higher in Funoon (Arnebia hispidissima), Makar (Polycarpaea repens) and Nassi (Stipagrostis plumosa) (43.39, 23.30 and 20.26%, respectively) compared to the Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana). The lowest proportions of ash were found in Alaga (Scrophularia hypericifolia) and Thayoum (Penisetum divisum) which were 7.67 and 9.73%, respectively. The crude protein % (CP) in all species was high compared to Rhodes grass (14.28% CP). However, in Funoon and Alaga it was 5.59 and 8.49 % respectively. Both Sabat (Cenchrus ciliaris) and Shouk Aljemal (Alhagi graecorum) had higher (P ˂ o.o1) Crude Fibre (CF) content (47.50 and 47. 07%, respectively) compared to the other species. The lowest CF% was observed in Rabla, Funoon, Thayoum and Makar with 24.97, 27.53, 27.52 and 28.53%, respectively. The highest Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE) was found in Thayoum (50.66%) leveling up the total carbohydrates in this species to 78.19%. Ether Extract (EE) content in was higher in Rabla (6.83+0.15%) and Thumam (2.40+0.27), but ranged between 1 and 2% in the remaining species. Rangeland rehabilitation program should be initiated by sowing or seeding drought resistant and valuable range species, like those of the Poaceae family. It is however necessary to raise the ecosystem conservation awareness among the local people in the province. Keywords: Arid habitat, ecosystem, perennial shrubs, proximate analysi