The green trees growing in the sea to the left are black mangroves (Avicenia marina’ or Qurm in Arabic). These are one of the few trees which can live in salty conditions. They prefer bays such as those at Al Khiran, as well as lagoons such as those in Qurum in Muscat. The mangrove woodland in Al Khiran is one of the largest in the area.
The dense vegetation of the Mangrove forests provides nutrients and shelter for fish, crayfish and birds.
About 20 of these forests are still growing along Oman’s coast.