In 1999 the Al Maha Resort and Spa was established with an area of 27 square kilometres as a conservation reserve for the protection of the desert fauna and flora. Seventy Arabian oryx were introduced and indigenous trees and shrubs were planted. In 2002 the resort managers began an environmental audit of the surrounding areas. Researchers were tasked with exploring the then current and potential threats to endangered species and disappearing desert habitats. The Al Maha management then submitted proposals to the government for the formation of a formal national park.

The proposal was accepted and the Dubai Desert Conservation Board was established. In 2003 the DDCR with an area of 225 square kilometres was proclaimed. The Reserve constitutes 4.7% of Dubai’s total land area. The first wildlife releases into the newly created reserve took place in 2004.

The Al Maha Resort lies within the boundaries of the Reserve but is being managed independently.

The DDCR is a member of IUCN and UNEP. The vision for it is “to create a permanently protected area which ensures the future of the region’s desert habitats and bio-diversity managed according to sound scientific ecological principles, aimed at protecting natural resources (water being the most obvious one, but extending to many others as well), and maintaining original desert landscapes.”

The area enclosed to form the DDCR is principally made up of low to medium sized sand dunes interspersed with sand flats and gravel plains. At the extreme north of the reserve there is a rocky outcrop, Quarn Nazwa. The altitude of the Reserve ranges from 260m above sea level in the south to 180m in the north (Khafga 2009). Before enclosure the entire area had been heavily grazed by camels and domestic livestock. In 2004 the number of camels counted in the DDCR was 1,209, that is 5.37 camels per square kilometre (Alqamy 2004). By 2007 the number of camels had been reduced to around 600 and by December 2008 all domestic livestock had been removed (Khafga 2009). Arabian oryx, mountain gazelle and sand gazelle had been introduced.

At Tawi Manana a small lake, stocking fish, was completed in 2011.

Three areas, two of sand dunes and the third a gravel plain, have been fenced off to exclude grazing and browsing by oryx and gazelle. One fenced dune area surrounds a lucerne farm established in September 2012 to give supplementary feed for the oryx. The other, solely an enclosed dune area, was fenced in December 2012.

Date palm, Phoenix dactilifera L. (Arecaceae) had been cultivated and these remain as palm groves at two main sites, the Camel Farm at which the camels are confined within cages, and the Date Farm, and as the outer boundary of Tawi Manana irrigation plot.

Trees, protected by wire cages and irrigated, were planted in selected areas. Most, but not all, are indigenous to the area. In 2012, 9,830 trees were planted mainly around the lake and generators as well as close to Tawi Manana. Then in 2013, 15,700 trees were planted at the solar irrigation sites.

In order to encourage the regrowth of plants two drip irrigation plots, Tawi Ruwayyan in the north and Tawi Manana in the south, were established in 2013. These plots over which drip irrigation pipes have been laid are supplied with water pumped up from subterranean reservoirs. The pumps are run off power generated by solar panels.

Feeding points for the oryx had been used since they were introduced into the Al Maha Resort’s reserve in 1999 and are also used in the DDCR. In order to minimize the impact of these gathering points they are moved every 4-6 weeks.

Watering points for the large mammals were created within the Al Maha reserve in 1999 and at various points within the DDCR in 2001.

The climate of this area is of a bi-seasonal Mediterranean type, characterized by low rainfall and high summer temperatures. Most precipitation is expected in the winter and spring between December and April. Mist and fog can occur throughout the year but they are more likely in the winter months and at the end of summer.

Very little was known about weather conditions in the UAE until the 1950s when oil prospecting began and it was not until the opening of the UAE international airports in the 1970s that full 24-hour weather records became available (Perry 2008). Rain is always localized, sporadic and shows considerable variation from year to year. The average annual rainfall for Sarjah airport for the 12 years 1992-2004 was 50mm (Alqamy 2004).

Winter, December to March, is the most unsettled season when active weather systems can bring rain and strong winds. Weather systems in the region are associated with the Sub-Tropical Jet Stream, which lies over the Middle East at this time of the year. The frequency of these westerly disturbances is governed by the weather pattern prevailing over Europe and the Mediterranean. They account for most of the annual rainfall, but both the amount and frequency of rain varies greatly from year to year.

Towards spring, April to May, the frequency of westerly disturbances decreases as the Sub-Tropical Jet Stream weakens and begins to move northwards. Rain and thunderstorms can still occur but are more likely over the northern Gulf. Maximum temperatures increase rapidly.

Summer, June to September, is characterized by hot and dusty conditions, resulting from intense solar heating establishing an area of low pressure over India and Pakistan gradually extending west into Iran and over the Gulf. During these months there may be some rain over the mountains and surrounding plains. Decreasing minimum temperatures towards the end of summer lead to an increase in the incidence of early morning fog.

Autumn, October to November, is characterized by the most settled weather conditions.

Until recently the vegetation of the UAE was poorly known. The work of A.R Western (Western 1989) served as a major stimulus for floristic research in the UAE (Perry 2008). The Comprehensive Guide to the Wildflowers of the United Arab Emirates (Jongbloed 2003) incorporates the work of several active and enthusiastic botanists, including that of Benno Böer.

Two vegetation surveys have been conducted in the Al Maha reserve and the DDCR since the proclamation of the DDCR (Husam El Algamy 2004 and Tamer Khafga 2009). The total number of species recorded from the gravel plains within the DDCR in 2004 was 15 compared with 27 in 2009. Of the additional species 11 were perennial species and four were annual. This was considered to represent positive rehabilitation of the gravel plains during the five years between the two surveys. Similarly the total number of species recorded for the sand dunes in 2004 was 16 compared with 34 in 2009. What should also be taken into account is that the second survey was undertaken in 2008 a year of unusually good rains.

Due to the generally low rainfall, when good rains do occur they have, as in all hot arid areas, a more pronounced influence on biological activity than in more temperate regions of the world (Perry 2008). Rain is most effective for the vegetation when it occurs during the cooler part of the year due to the fact that less water is lost to evaporation and it is at this season that plant growth takes place.

Site 8. Quarn Nazwa, southwestern foot (Figures 2 and 3)

Quarn Nazwa is a rocky outcrop at the extreme north of the reserve. At its southwest foot is a level area within which is a watering point, a low vertical bank below an access road, and bordering the road to the south sand dunes. Around the watering point and the bases of the dunes facing it were plants in flower, principally Aerva javanica (Amaranthaceae), Centaurea pseudosinaica (Asteraceae), Arnebia hispida (Boraginaceae), Dipterygium glaucum (Capparaceae), and Limeum arabicum (Molluginaceae). On the other aspects of the outcrop most flowering plants were almost completely dried out.

Site 9. Sand dunes, A single Calotropis procera (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae) tree.

Site 10. Tawi Ruwayyan (Figure 4)

The area sampled was the drip irrigation area together with the surrounding non-irrigated area. The drip area is mainly level with a strong growth of low shrubby perennials, principally Heliotropium kotschyi (Boraginaceae), Dipterygium glaucum, Fagonia indica and Cyperus conglomeratus Rottb. (Cyperaceae) growing along the irrigation lines. The area attracts grazing and browsing by oryx and gazelle and so there is little evidence of the more palatable plants, particularly annuals.

Within the irrigated area are small groups of fenced planted trees. Beyond the irrigated area the perennial plants are more widely dispersed and less succulent. On the surrounding dunes are scattered larger shrubs, Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae) and Salvadora persica (Salvadoraceae), and the small tree Calotropis procera. Also present beyond the irrigation plot is a clump of ghaf trees, Prosopis cineraria (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) and tamarix, Tamarix nilotica (Tamaricaceae).

Site 11. Date Farm

A shady grove of date palms with outside the grove an area of irrigated planted trees in cages. Within the cages are growing palatable plants beyond the reach of browsers. Of interest was the presence in one of these cages of flowering Sesuvium verrucosum (Aizoaceae), not listed for the DDCR in Khafga (2009).

Site 12. Margham Gate

An area of low dunes with shrubs and hollows between dunes with almost entirely browsed off Tribulus (Zygophyllaceae)

Site 13. Roadside of Margham Road, just outside the DDCR

Well grown flowering Tribulus spp. were present along the sandy roadside.

Site 14. Dune grazing and browsing exclusion plot (Figure 5)

An area of dunes protected from grazing and browsing by oryx and gazelle. Noticeably better vegetated than the surrounding area. Of particular note was the presence of numerous well-grown plants of Crotalaria aegyptiaca (Fabaceae: Papilionoideae) in flower.

Site 15. Gravel plain without irrigation (Figure 6)

This gravel plain site adjoined one of the planted tree sites. Scattered across the gravel plain the dominant plant was a small shrubby perennial, Rhanterium epapposum (Asteraceae) with at intervals Acacia tortilis (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae). The planted trees are young ghaf trees, Prosopis cineraria. Within the cages around the trees, encouraged by the irrigation and protected from grazing, are plants of Arnebia hispidissima (Boraginaceae).

Site 16. Al Maha Gate

A non-irrigated sandy area with the dominant plant being Heliotropium kotschyi (Boraginaceae).

Site 17. Low sand dunes (Figure 7)

Irrigated planted trees in netting cages with Launaea procumbens (Asteraceae) growing within the cages.

Site 18. Camel Farm

A small grove of date palms watered by irrigation furrows. The camels are all restrained in cages. The banks of the furrows, cavities in palm tree stumps and insect borings in palm leaf bases offer nesting sites for wasps and bees. Also present outside the Ddate Palm grove are Gghaf trees.

Site 19/20 Tawi Manana lake (Figure 8) and drip irrigation area (Figure 9)

The area sampled for flower visitors was the main level drip irrigation area, which is surrounded on all four sides by a border of palm trees, the outer, less moist, sloping sandy drip area and the surrounding non-irrigated area. The drip area is mainly level with a strong growth of low shrubby perennials, principally Dipterygium glaucum with to a lesser degree than at Tawi Ruwayyan Heliotropium kotschyi and Fagonia indica, growing along the irrigation lines. The area attracts grazing and browsing by oryx and gazelle and so there is little evidence of the more palatable plants, particularly annuals. On the lower slopes of the dunes above the main drip area were a large number of flowering, well-grown, scattered plants of palatable Limeum arabicum (Molluginaceae). Also present are a Calotropis procera tree and a clump of ghaf trees, Prosopis cineraria.

Site 21. Sand dunes, Calotropis procera tree

Site 22. Sand dunes, Calotropis procera tree

Site 23. Sand dunes, Calotropis procera tree

Site 24. Lucerne Farm grazing and browsing exclusion area (Figures 10 and 11)

Between the fenced fields of lucerne, which are irrigated, and the perimeter fence is a large area of non-irrigated dunes protected from grazing and browsing by oryx and gazelle. In this area were a few scattered, well grown, flowering Calotropis procera, Leptadenia pyrotechnica and Acacia tortilis (Fabaceae: Papilionoideae), and numerous scattered flowering Heliotropium kotschyi, Tribulus macropterus with less abundantly flowering Moltkiopsis ciliata (Boraginaceae) and a few scattered flowering Polycarpaea repens (Caryophyllaceae) and Neurada procumbens (Neuradaceae). Only one plant each of Indigofera intricata, Crotalaria aegyptiaca and Citrullus colocynthis (Cucurbitaceae) were noted.

Site 25. Sand dunes with scattered Calotropis procera trees (Figure 12)

Site 26. Faqah watering point (Figure 13)

Faqah is in the extreme south of the Reserve, the last area from which camels and domestic stock were removed. The area surrounding the watering point was very dry with no plants in flower. The planted Prosopis cineraria, which were in flower, were therefore the only plants sampled for flower visitors.

Crossing from the DDCR to the coast the dunes level out and the dominant plants are scattered plants of Zygophyllum species (Zygophyllaceae), not found within the DDCR (Figure 14), until the coast is neared where the plants become more diverse.

Site 27. Roadside, sandy depression

The plants in the depression were more diverse than in the surrounding area. In addition to flowering Zygophyllum simplex and Zygophyllum qatarense, some plants of a species of Asteraceae were present.

Site 28. Ghantoot, sandy plain (Figure 15)

In addition to Zygophyllum qatarense, well grown plants of Heliotropium kotschyi were abundant and in flower.

Site 29. EMEC, coastal sand inland from beach

The dominant plant in flower was Zygophyllum qatarense.

Site 30. EMEC, coastal sand inland from beach (Figure 16)

The dominant plant in flower in the dry sandy area was Zygophyllum qatarense with its root parasite Cistanche tubulosa (Schenk) Wright (Orobanchaceae). Arthrocnemum macrostachyum (Moric.) C. Koch (Chenopodiaceae) was also present in the more saline areas associated with channels. In this area of the coast there are in addition salt pans, where Z. qatarense is absent and the dominant plant is Salsola imbricata Forssk (Chenopodiaceae), and mud flats dominated by mangroves, Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh. (Acanthaceae).

Most of the sites chosen east of the DDCR in the Hajar Mountains were localities from which Anticharis arabica Endl. (Scrophulariaceae: Aptosimae) has been recorded (coordinates of localities supplied by Tamer Khafaga). The reason for this choice being that in southern Africa all Aptosimae are visited by and pollinated by Masarinae (Gess and Gess 2014) and it was hoped that an equivalent association would be found. However, due to the dryness no plants of A. arabica were found. The sites in the Hajar Mountains, mostly wadis, ranged in elevation from 284 m to 355 m.

Site 1. Sandy roadside

Scattered plants of Tribulus spp., Heliotropium kotschyi, Dipterygium glaucum and a species of Convolvulaceae were in flower.

Site 2. Shawka

Rumex dentatus (Polygonaceae) was in flower, fringing the area from which the water had retreated. (Figure 17)

Site 3. Wadi

Very dry, little in flower other than Acacia tortilis. (Figure 18)

Site 4. Wadi

Very dry, almost all plants in fruit.

Site 5. Munay, outskirts of village

Most plants were dried up. Solanum nigrum (Solanaceae), in flower near a leaking tap, was sampled for flower visitors.

Site 6. Khor Kalba, Ramsa outside Mangrove and Alhafeya Protected Area

Heliotropium kotschyi and Zygophyllum qatarense were in flower along the sandy bank of lagoon. Avicennia marina was in flower at water’s edge. (Figure 19)

All other plants dried out.

Forty-six plant species were recorded by Tamer Khafaga from the dunes and gravel plains of the DDCR in his 2008/2009 study of the vegetation after rain (Khafaga 2009). These include 41 species of dicots and only five species of monocots. Of the dicots 33 were noted in the present survey (Table 2). The smaller number of species of plants noted can to a large degree be attributed to the sampling period in 2015 having followed seven dry years, resulting in a paucity of annual plants. Launaea procumbens (Asteraceae), widespread in the northern emirates, and an exotic weed, Sesuvium verrucosum (Aizoaceae) were found growing inside the cages surrounding planted trees.

The monocots are not included in Table 2 or in Appendix 1. They are the common and widespread palatable sedge, Cyperus conglomeratus (Cyperaceae), and four grass species (Poaceae). Grasses were noted in the present survey but were not identified. They were uncommon and outside the enclosures had been heavily grazed.

Flower visitors were observed and sampled on 21 species of plants within the DDCR and on two additional species east of the Reserve and two west of the Reserve (Table 3 and Appendix 1, giving global distributions). Of these 25 species, four species are known only from the Arabian Peninsula. The distributions of the other 19 variously include: the Mediterranean fringe; the Middle East; Asia; North Africa and Asia; North Africa; the Middle East and Asia; Africa from north to south; Africa from north to south together with the Middle East and Asia; and Europe together with the Mediterranean and Asia.

In the present first survey 53 species of aculeate wasps and 26 species of bees were recorded (Appendix 2, giving global distributions). Known distributions suggest that of these species, 11% are known only from the Arabian Peninsula, 65% include North Africa, 27% include in addition to North Africa, the Middle East and Asia, 9% further include Europe, 6% further include Africa from north to south and west to east, 8% in addition to Arabia have distributions only extending east into Asia, 8% have circum-Mediterranean distributions, 3% distributions from Arabia to southern Africa and 2% distributions from Arabia north into the Middle East as well as south through Africa.

Some understanding of the biogeography of bees in Sahara and Arabian deserts has resulted from the analysis by Patiny and Michez (2007), however, the taxa used in their study (19 species in seven sub-families) are not ones encountered in the present survey, making their conclusions of doubtful merit in the present context.

Of the wasps, 40 species were from the DDCR and the additional 11 from our transect to the east of and two from our transect to the west of the DDCR. Of the bees, 21 species were from the DDCR and an additional two from our transect to the east of the Reserve. Flower sampling yielded flower visiting records for 39 species of aculeate wasps and 23 species of bees. The results of flower sampling are presented in Tables 3 and 4.

Table 3 lists the plants, from the flowers of which aculeate wasps and bees were collected, together with the names, number and sex of the wasps and bees, and the collection sites. Visits by hunting wasps and nest parasites were for imbibing nectar and visits by bees and pollen wasps for imbibing nectar and/or gathering pollen. Pollen and nectar collecting visits were not distinguished. Following Jongbloed (2003, The comprehensive guide to the wild flowers of the United Arab Emirates) the plant families have been arranged in alphabetical order not grouped under Orders.

Jongbloed (2003) gives accounts for 10 species of Amaranthaceae occurring in the UAE, most to the east or west of the DDCR. Only one species, Aerva javanica (Figure 20), the only species widespread in the central dune desert, has been recorded for the DDCR (Khafaga 2009). By comparison Amaranthaceae forms a notable component of the vegetation of northern Namaqualand and Namibia where the most numerous species of solitary wasp and bee visitors belong to the Crabronidae: Bembicinae (formerly Nyssonidae) and of solitary bees to the Megachilidae (Gess and Gess 2006). It is perhaps significant that in the present study these two taxa are represented amongst the small number of wasps and bees recorded from Aerva javanica. The only other wasp visiting the flowers was Polistes watti (Polistinae) and the only bee, unexpectedly, the small anthidiine, Pseudoanthidium ochrognathum, otherwise collected from Boraginaceae both in the reserve and to the east.

Whereas Aizoaceae, both Mesembryanthema (formerly Mesembryanthemaceae) and non-Mesembryanthema are widespread and species diverse in the semi-arid to arid areas of Southern Africa only one species of Mesembryanthema and three species of non-Mesembryanthema, all coastal species, are recorded from the UAE in Jongbloed (2003).

In the present study one species Sesuvium verrucosum (non-Mesembryanthema) was recorded. It was growing inside the cage of an irrigated planted tree in the DDCR (Figure 21). It is an American species, which has become naturalized in the UAE where it is most usually found along the west coast. One halictid bee, a female Nomioides klausi, was visiting the flowers. At other sites this bee was visiting Heliotropium kotschyi (Boraginaceae) and Tribulus macropterus (Zygophyllaceae).

Jongbloed (2003) gives accounts for eight species of Asclepiadoideae in the UAE. Of these most occur to the east of the DDCR. Two species of perennial woody Asclepiadoideae, Calotropis procera (Figures 22 and 23) and Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Figures 24 and 25), which are characteristic of the central dune desert, are listed for the DDCR in Khafaga (2009). They are widely present on the dunes where, not being palatable, they are often the only plants. Samples of wasps and bees visiting C. procera were taken at five widely separated sites. Wasps represented in total were of the wasp families Chrysididae (1 sp.), Tiphiidae (1 sp.), Vespidae: Eumeninae (1 sp.), Scoliidae 2 spp.), Pompilidae (1 sp.), Crabronidae: Bembicinae (2 spp.), Eremiaspheciinae (1 sp.) and Philanthinae (2 spp.) and the bee family Apidae (Apinae: Apini (1 sp.) and Anthophorini (1 sp.) and Apidae: Xylocopinae (2 spp.)).

In a detailed study of the pollination of Calotropis procera in Pakistan (Ali and Ali 1988) a much more limited range of visitors was recorded. Insects bearing polinia were classified as pollinators. On this basis those authors concluded that two Apidae, Xylocopa pubescens Spinola and X. fenestrata were the main pollinators and that a third Apis florea was a minor pollinator. It is likely that in the DDCRXylocopa fenestrata and X. aestuans are similarly potential pollinators of C. procera. In the present survey visitors carrying pollinia were two Apidae, Amegilla bysina and Apis florea, and one crabronid, Bembix kohli, making them additional potential pollinators of this plant.

The diversity of visitors to Calotropis procera, though not as great, is comparable with that to a shrubby species of Asclepiadoideae, Gomphocarpus filiformis (E. Mey.) Dietr., in the western semi-arid to arid areas of southern Africa, which also includes Chrysididae (2 spp.), Vespidae, Pompilidae (9 spp.), Scoliidae (3 spp.), Crabronidae: Crabroninae (7 spp.) and Bembicinae (2 spp.), Apidae: Apinae (6 spp.) and Xylocopinae (2 spp.) with, however, in addition Tiphiidae (4 spp.), Sphecidae (7 spp.), and one species each of Bradynobaeinidae, Halictidae, Colletidae, and Melittidae (Gess and Gess 2003 and Gess and Gess 2006).

Leptadenia pyrotechnica, though widespread, was being less commonly visited, flower visitors having been observed only at Site 24, the Lucerne Farm enclosure. There the visitors obtained were less diverse, wasps of Crabronidae: Crabroninae (1sp.) and Bembicinae (1 sp.) and Palarini (1 sp.), and bees of Megachilidae: Megachilinae: Megachilini (2 spp.), with sight records for Apis florea.

Jongbloed (2003) gives accounts for 58 species of Asteraceae in the United Arab Emirates most having been recorded from the mountainous area to the East of the DDCR. Khafaga (2009) recorded only three, Atractylis carduus, Centaurea pseudosinaica and Rhanterium eppaposum, from the DDCR (Table 2). Of these C. pseudosinaica (Figure 26) and R. eppaposum (Figures 17 and 18) were found in flower and in addition Launaea procumbens (Figure 29), a common and widespread weed, was found growing and flowering, like S. verrucosum, inside the cage of a planted tree.

At the time of sampling, Centaurea pseudosinaica was being visited by three species of aculeate wasps of three sub-families of Crabronidae, one species of Megachilidae and two species of Apidae, one each of Apinae and Xylocopinae. However, Rhanterium eppaposum was visited solely by Crabronidae of two sub-families and Launaea procumbens by two small halictid bees.

A greater diversity of visitors had been expected. In the semi-arid to arid areas of southern Africa, where Asteraceae is the largest family in the Karoo-Namib Region (Cowling and Hilton Taylor 1999), it was recorded as being visited by a diverse range of aculeate wasps of eight families, including pollen wasps, and all families of bees (Gess and Gess 2006).

Jongbloed (2003) gives accounts for 22 species of Boraginaceae occurring in the UAE. Of these, four species are given as widespread in the central desert, all are listed in Khafaga (2009) for the DDCR. In the present study all four, Arnebia hispidissima (Figure 30), Heliotropium digynum, Heliotropium kotschyi (Figures 31 and 32) and Moltkiopsis ciliata (Figure 33 and 34), were sampled for flower visitors. The only species not being visited at that time was H. digynum. Heliotropium kotschyi, the most widespread and abundant species, was sampled for flower visitors at three sites within the DDCR and one site near to the coast west of the DDCR. At all three sites in the reserve wasps of the family Crabronidae (sites grouped, Crabroninae: Palarini, 2 spp. and Bembicinae: Bembicini, 6 spp.) and bees of the families Megachilidae (sites grouped together, Megachilinae: Megachilini 3 spp., Osmiini 1 sp. and Anthidiini 1 sp.) and Apidae (sites grouped together Xylocopinae: Ceratinini 1 sp., Apinae: Anthophorini 2 spp.) were recorded, with in addition from the drip area at Tawi Ruwayyan wasps of the families, Chrysididae (1 sp), Vespidae: Masarinae (2 spp.), Pompilidae (1sp.), Scoliidae (1 sp.), and from the drip area at Tawi Manana bees of the family Halictidae (4 spp.). Other noticeable but not common visitors to the flowers were braconid wasps in the DDCR and bombyliid flies both in the DDCR and at Ghantoot, inland from the west coast.

The two species of Masarinae were Quartinia nubiana (2 females caught visiting flowers) and Celonites jousseaumei (flying over flowers).

Of particular interest was the presence of an oligolectic osmiine bee, Haetosmia circumventa, which specialises in collecting pollen from the flowers of Heliotropium (Gotlieb et al. 2014).

Arnebia hispidissima and Moltkiopsis ciliata were only present and sampled at one site each, Quarn Nazwa and the dune enclosure at the Lucerne Farm respectively. Both, like Heliotropium kotschyi, were receiving visits from Amegilla byssina (Apidae: Apinae) with the former in addition Palarus laetus (Crabronidae: Crabroninae: Palarini) and the latter Bembix hauseri (Crabronidae: Bembicinae) and Ceylalictus karachiensis (Halictidae: Nomiinae). Of particular interest was a site record for M. ciliata of a Celonites, presumably jousseaumei.

The associations with Celonites jousseaumei are of further interest when considered together with a close association of this pollen wasp with Heliotropium in Morocco (Volker Mauss, pers. com.) and close associations between Heliotropium and other masarines, Trimeria buyssoni Brethes in South America (Neff and Simpson 1985) and Jugurtia namibicola Gess and Celonites heliotropii Gess with Heliotropium tubulosum Gess in Namibia (Gess, F.W. 2004, Gess, F.W. 2007, Gess, S.K. and Gess, F.W. 2010, Gess, S.K. and Gess, F.W. 2014).

In the semi-arid to arid areas of southern Africa six genera of Boraginaceae (sensu lato) were sampled. Grouped together they were recorded as visited by 12 species of wasps representing four families, including pollen wasps, and 52 species of bees representing five families. In addition to the two apparently monophagous species of pollen wasps closely associated with Heliotropium tubulosum E. Mey. Ex A.DC., two further species of pollen wasps, Jugurtia codoni Gess and Quartinia codoni Gess (Gess 2007) were found to be closely associated with Codon royeni L.

Brassicaceae is well represented in the UAE, 23 species having been recorded in Jongbloed (2003). Of these most are found to the east of the DDCR. Khafaga (2009) lists three annuals, Brassica muricata, Eremobium aegyptiacum, Sisymbrium erysimoides, and one perennial, Farsetia linearis, within the DDCR.

Farsetia linearis was encountered only in the enclosure at the Lucerne Farm where only one flower visitor, a female Ceratina parvula (Xylocopinae) was recorded.

Jongbloed (2003) gives an account of 11 species of Capparacae occurring in the UAE. Most species occur to the east or west of the central desert. Only two species are expected in the central desert, the most widespread, Dipterygium glaucum, is the only species recorded from the DDCR by Khafaga (2009) and the only species found in flower and sampled in the present study. The other species likely to bee found within the DDCR is Cleome amblyocarpa Barr. & Murb.

During the present study the flowering of Dipterygium glaucum (Figure 35) was nearing its end and very few flower visitors were observed. At Quarn Nazwa one chrysidid and one Thyreus elegans (Apidae: Apinae: Melectini) were recorded, from Tawi Ruwayan one Amegilla byssina (Apidae: Apinae) and one megachilid, and from the enclosed dune area at the Lucerne Farm one Bembix saadensis (Crabronidae: Bembicinae). This is unlikely to be truly representative. Petals were being eaten by two species of meloid beetles.

Twenty-one species of Caryophyllaceae are given in Jongbloed (2003), most to the east or west of the central desert and are therefore not expected in the DDCR. Khafaga (2009) recorded Polycarpaea repens, Sclerocephalus arabicus and Silene villosa. In the present study none was common, however, scattered plants of P. repens and S. villosa were present in flower in the enclosed area of the Lucerne Farm. Only one visitor to P. repens, Palarus parvulus (Crabronidae: Crabroninae: Palarini), was recorded.

Jongbloed (2003) gives accounts for three species of Acacia and three species of Prosopis, one exotic, occurring in the UAE. Of these Khafaga (2009) recorded Acacia tortilis and Prosopis cineraria from the DDCR. Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile has been introduced in various areas where trees have been planted.

Surprisingly, within the DDCRAcacia tortilis (Figures 36 and 37) was receiving very few visits, only Thyreus hyalinatus (Apidae: Apinae: Melectini) having been recorded. However, at a site to the east of the reserve, in a single sampling, Scoliidae (1 sp.), Crabronidae (Crabroninae 3 spp., Bembicinae 2 spp.), Halictidae (Nomioidinae 1 sp.), Megachilidae (Megachilinae: Megachilini 1 sp.), and Apidae (Apinae: Anthophorini 1 sp., Xylocopinae: Ceratinini 1 sp) were recorded.

Prosopis cineraria (Figures 38–40) in some parts of the reserve was receiving very few visits whereas in others it was well visited, receiving visits from wasps Sphecidae: Sphecinae, Crabronidae (Crabroninae 4 spp., Bembicinae 1 sp.) and Philanthinae (3 spp.) and bees Halictidae (Nomioidinae 3 spp.), Megachilidae (Megachilinae (2 spp.), and Apinae (Apis (Micrapis) florea which had a hive in one of the trees at Tawi Ruwayan). Occasionally the flowers were visited by braconid wasps.

It seems probable that in a good season there would be a much greater diversity of flower visitors. In the semi-arid to arid areas of southern Africa activity varies considerably from year to year, however, in the survey by the Gesses over many years, the total number of wasp species visiting Mimosoideae was 114 species representing eight families (30.04% of the total number of species of wasps recorded from flowers) with, however, only 28 species of bees, all polyphagous, of four families (6.2% of the total number of species of bees recorded from flowers) (Gess and Gess 2006).

Papilionoideae are well represented in the UAE by 44 species (Jongbloed 2003). Most species occur to the east and west of the central desert. As could be expected from known distributions Khafaga (2009) recorded three species, Crotalaria aegyptiaca, Indigofera colutea and I. intricata from the DDCR.

During the present study Crotalaria aegyptiaca and Indigofera intricata were found in flower and were observed for flower visitors, the former in the dune enclosure where there were a good number of plants and the Lucerne Farm dune enclosure where only one plant each of this species and of I. intricata were found.

Within the Dune Enclosure Crotalaria aegyptiaca (Figures 41–43) was well visited by two species of bees, an un-described species of Icteranthidium (Megachilidae: Anthidiini), not recorded from any other plant and therefore possibly specializing in visiting the flowers of the Papilionoideae, and by polyphagus Amegilla byssina (Apidae: Apinae). Both in size and behavior are potential pollinators, however, Icteranthidium is likely to be the most reliable pollinator. The only other visitor to the flowers was a small polyphagous wasp, an undescribed species of Laphrogogus (Crabronidae: Eremiaspheciinae), which can be discounted as a potential pollinator.

The presence of Anthidiini in the samples from Papilionoideae but not from Mimosoideae is expected, if comparison is made with Papilionoideae and Mimosoideae in southern Africa (Gess and Gess 2006).

The only visitor recorded as visiting Crotalaria aegyptiaca in the Lucerne Farm dune enclosure was a polyphagous bee, Megachile patellimana (Megachilini), also recorded from Apocynaceae, Boraginaceae, Brassicaceae, and Zygophyllaceae in the dune enclosure at the Lucerne Farm. It is of interest that M. patellimana, in Namibia was recorded from flowers of Crotalaria podocarpa DC (Papilionoideae) (Gess and Gess 2003).

Only one species of Molluginaceae, Limeum arabicum, was listed for the DDCR by Khafaga (2009). However, Jongbloed (2003) gives in addition two other species, Limeum obovatum and Gisekia pharnaceoides L., occurring in the central desert. Gisekia pharnaceoides is known to occur in the DDCR after rain (Greg Simkins pers. com.) and Limeum obovatum may well be found in the DDCR.

During the present survey Limeum arabicum (Figures 44 and 45), growing on sand dunes, was sampled for flower visitors in the Lucerne Farm dune enclosure, at Tawi Manana and at Quarn Nazwa. At all three sites the flowers were being visited by polyphagous crabronid wasps, represented in the Lucerne Farm dune enclosure by two species of Palarus (Crabroninae) and two species of Bembix (Bembicinae), at Quarn Nazwa by a third species of Palarus and at Tawi Manana by the undescribed species of Laphrogogus. At the Lucerne Farm, only, bees were amongst the visitors. They were of two families Halictidae, represented by Pseudapis nilotica (Nomiinae), and Apidae, represented by Ceratina parvula (Xylocopinae). Three species of meloid beetles were present on the flowers, eating them.

In the arid areas of southern Africa although all Crabronidae visiting Limeum are polyphagous, flowers of Limeum species are considered to be an important nectar source for these wasps and that in all probability they provide a pollination service (Gess and Gess 2006).

Neuradaceae is a small family restricted to semi-arid to arid regions. One genus Neurada is represented in North Africa across the Middle East and Arabia to India. In southern Africa it is represented by two genera Grielum and Neuradopsis.

In the UAE (Jongbloed 2003) Neuradaceae appears to be represented by only one species, Neurada procumbens (Figure 46), common and widespread except in the mountains. It is recorded from the DDCR (Khafaga 2009). During the present study N. procumbens was found in very small numbers only in the Lucerne Farm dune enclosure where the only recorded visitor to its small white flowers was a small halictid bee (Tables 3 and 4).

The southern African species have larger yellow flowers that attract bees from five families, including Halictidae. Also amongst their visitors is a pollen wasp, a species of Quartinia, and a chrysidid.

For PolygonaceaeJongbloed (2003) gives accounts for eight species in four genera. Of these only the woody shrub Calligonum comosum (Figures 47 and 48), common on sand dunes and plains in the UAE, was recorded from the DDCR (Khafaga 2009). At the time of this survey no plants were found in flower.

To the east of the Reserve Rumex dentatus, recorded by Jongbloed from scattered locations along the Gulf Coast, was found in flower fringing the area from which the water had retreated at Shawka dam in the Haja Mountains. At this site R. dentatus (Figures 49 and 50) was attracting visits from aculeate wasps of the families, Vespidae (Eumeninae and Polistinae), Pompilidae, Sphecidae, Crabronidae and bees of the family Halictidae (Tables 3 and 4).

For SolanaceaeJongbloed (2003) gives accounts for eight species, in seven genera. Of these all but one, a woody shrub, Lycium shawii (Figures 51 and 52), are absent from the central desert and it is only this species that is listed for the DDCR (Khafaga 2009). In the present study L. shawii was observed for flower visitors at several scattered localities, including Quarn Nazwa, where it was growing on the sides of dunes. From sampling Lycium flowers in the semi-arid to arid areas of southern Africa it was expected that the flowers would be visited by diverse wasps and bees (Gess and Gess 2006), however, no visitors were observed.

An exotic weed, Solanum nigrum (Figure 53), which offers nectar produced from extra-floral nectaries on petioles, leaves and stems (Anderson and Simon 1985), was growing near a dripping tap on he outskirts of the village of Munay in the east. It was sampled, yielding one species each of the families Pompilidae, Scoliidae, Sphecidae, Crabronidae and Halictidae.

Jongbloed (2003) gives accounts for 11 species of Zygophyllaceae, three species of Fagonia, five species of Tribulus, and three species of Zygophyllum. Of these Khafaga (2009) lists Fagonia indica, Fagonia sp., Tribulus macropterus, T. omanense, and T. pentandrus.

Fagonia indica (Figure 54) was in flower during the present survey but no visitors to its flowers were observed.

Well grown plants of Tribulus macropterus (Figures 55 and 56) in full flower were abundant within the Lucerne Farm dune enclosure where they were being well visited. Sampling was undertaken on three days, yielding most commonly five species of crabronid wasps, Palarus laetus (Crabroninae: Palarini) and four species of Bembix (Bembicinae: Bembicini), and by a megachilid bee, Megachile patellimana. Less commonly two other bees were represented, Ceratina parvula (Apidae: Xylocopinae: Ceratinini) and Nomioides klausi (Halictidae: Nomioidinae). Several species of meloid beetles were commonly present, eating the petals of the flowers. Outside the enclosure scattered remnants of grazed plants were occasionally found.

Along the side of the Margham Road outside the DDCR large plants of Tribulus macropterus were in flower. Some of these were checked, briefly, for visitors. The only visitor recorded was a single female of Bembix rochei, one of the four species of Bembix recorded at the Lucerne Farm.

Although it would appear from distributions given in Jongbloed (2003) that some species of Zygophyllum might be found in the DDCR none was recorded by Khafaga (2009) and none was found in the DDCR during the present survey.

Zygophyllum species are amongst the dominant plants across the sandy plains to the west coast. Zygophyllum qatarense (Figure 33), a perennial dwarf shrub, and Z. simplex (Figure 34), a succulent annual, were sampled to the west of the reserve during the one-day transect to the west coast.

Zygophyllum qatarense (Figures 57 and 58) and Z. simplex (Figure 59), like Tribulus macropterus, were principally visited by Crabronidae, however, the assemblages did not share species in common. Recorded were two species of Cerceris (Philanthinae) and Gastrosericus waltlii (Larrini) also recorded visiting flowers of Z. simplex in Namibia, southern Africa (Gess and Gess 2003). In addition Telostegus argyrellus, the only pompilid recorded from Zygophyllaceae was visiting Z. qatarense at the coast.

In southern Africa, Zygophyllum is more species diverse and more diverse in habit than in Arabia and the suites of visitors are, not surprisingly, more diverse. However, comparable species are Z. simplex, which is widespread from northern Richtersveld northwards through Namibia, and several northern coastal and desert perennial dwarf shrubs. Z. simplex is an important resource for wasps and bees in that area. Amongst the visitors Gess and Gess (2006) recorded 21 species of hunting wasps representing six families, five species of pollen wasps and 15 species of bees. The perennial dwarf shrubs are equally attractive to hunting wasps, pollen wasps and bees although they never attract as great a diversity and as great a number of individuals as does Z. simplex.

Table 4 lists the names of the aculeate wasps and bees recorded from flowers with the plant names together with the numbers and sex of the visitors and the collection sites.

Chrysididae

Very few Chrysididae were observed during the survey. Single specimens, not identified beyond family, were collected from flowers of Asclepiadoideae, Calotropis procera, Boraginaceae, Heliotropium kotschyi, and Capparaceae, Dipterygium glaucum, at three widely separated sites within the DDCR.

Vespidae

Masarinae

At the time of the survey Masarinae were uncommon, two species, Celonites jousseaumei and Quartinia nubiana, were collected within the DDCR and one, Celonites yemenensis, to the east of the reserve.

The flower associations were for two species of Boraginaceae. Quartinia nubiana, represented by two females, was visiting flowers of Heliotropium kotschyi at Tawi Ruwayyan. One specimen of C. jousseaumei was caught flying over flowering Heliotropium kotschyi at the same site and another was observed flying away from an isolated plant of Moltkiopsis ciliata at the Lucerne Farm, suggesting an association with Heliotropium and its allies, supported by an association of this species with Heliotropium in Morocco (Volker Mauss pers. com.).

Two specimens of Celonites yemenensis in flight, not associated with flowers, were collected, one in a wadi in the Hajar Mountains and the other on the bank of the lagoon at Khor Kalba where it was flying between Zygophyllum qatarense and Heliotropium kotschyi.

Of interest is the photographic record of M. Hauser of Jugurtia jemenensis Kostylev visiting flowers of Asteraceae (plate 74 in Gusenleitner 2010). No locality is given, however, the collection records given for this species are all wadis in the Hajar Mountains.

Eumeninae

Remarkably few Eumeninae were encountered during the present survey. Within the DDCR the only eumenine observed visiting flowers was Rhynchium oculatum, which was recorded from flowers of Calotropis procera (Asclepiadoideae). The only other species taken from flowers was Delta esuriens esuriens visiting Rumex dentatus (Polygonaceae), growing around Shawka Dam east of the reserve.

Polistinae

One species of Polistinae, Polistes watti, was encountered at two sites within the DDCR, Quarn Nazwa watering point at the northern end of the reserve and the palm grove at the Camel Farm, and one site, Shawka Dam, east of the reserve. Water was being imbibed at all sites, and nests were present in the palm grove. Flower visiting was observed at only two plants, Aerva javanica (Amaranthaceae) at Quarn Nazwa and Rumex dentatus (Polygonaceae) at Shawka Dam.

Vespinae

Vespa orientalis was not observed in the DDCR but was present to the east at Shawka Dam where it was associated with plants of Rumex dentatus (Polygonaceae).

Pompilidae

Remarkably few pompilids were encountered during the present survey: three species of Pompilinae, Anoplius suspectus, visiting Rumex dentatus (Polygonaceae) to the east of the reserve at Shawka Dam; Telostegus argyrellus, visiting Calotropis procera (Asclepiadoideae) at one site in the reserve, and Zygophyllum qatarense to the west of the reserve; and one species of Ceropalinae, Ceropales kriechbaumeri on Heliotropium kotschyi (Boraginaceae) within the reserve and on the solanaceous weed, Solanum nigrum, to the east.

Tiphiidae

In the present survey only two species of tiphiids were observed visiting flowers: Calotropis procera (Asclepiadoideae) within the DDCR, and Zygophyllum simplex to the west of the reserve.

Mutillidae

No mutillidae were observed visiting flowers. Those seen were males coming to the light in the evening.

Scoliidae

Scoliids were observed principally visiting the flowers of Calotropis procera (Asclepiadoideae) from which, due to the size of the plant, they were difficult to catch, however, voucher specimens of two Campsomerinae, Campsomeriella procera (two females, one on each of two days) and Micromeriella hyalina (one female), and one Scoliinae, Scolia flaviceps (four females, two on each of two days) were taken from three sites within the DDCR, two of which offered a good diversity of flowers. Clearly, though not restricted to C. procera, scoliids appear to be strongly attracted to this plant. They are, however, only one of six families of wasps and one family of bees visiting this plant.

Males of the third species, Micromeriella hyalina, were caught on Heliotropium kotschyi (Boraginaceae) at a fourth site in the reserve, and at two sites east of the reserve, at one on Acacia tortilis (Mimosoideae) and at the other on a weed, Solanum nigrum (Solanacae) on the outskirts of a village.

Sphecidae

Sphecidae were remarkably uncommon. Only one species was encountered within the reserve, namely Prionyx nigropectinatus (Sphecinae), which was visiting the flowers of Prosopis cineraria (Mimosoideae) at the Faqah watering point at the southern end of the reserve.

Two other species were found east of the reserve: Ammophila rubripes (Ammophilinae) visiting the solanaceous weed, Solanum nigrum; and Sceliphron madraspatanum pictum (Sceliphrinae) visiting Rumex dentatus (Polygonaceae).

Crabronidae

Crabronidae was the only family of wasps well represented during the present survey, with 27 species from within the DDCR, five additional species to the east and another one to the west – in all 33 species representing 14 genera, nine tribes and five sub-families with almost a third of the species belonging to the genus Bembix.

In all Crabronidae were recorded from 10 plant families, 59% of the families from which flower visitors were recorded. The percentages of these species visiting these 10 families was 57% Fabaceae (Mimosoideae), 43% Zygophyllaceae, 38% Apocynaceae (Asclepiadoideae), 38% Boraginaceae, 29% Molluginaceae, 24% Asteraceae, and 10% and fewer Amaranthaceae, Capparaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Fabaceae (Papilionoideae), Solanaceae and Polygonaceae.

Of interest, a specimen of Bembix kohli, collected from Calotropis procera, was carrying pollinia, making it a potential pollinator of this plant.

The total number of species of bees (23 spp.), 20 from within the DDCR and an additional three from the east, was surprisingly low, compared with the number of Crabronidae.

Halictidae

Of the large family Halictidae only six species representing four genera were recorded from flowers: within the DDCR – Nomia (Pseudapis) (1 sp.) (Nomiinae), and Ceylalictus (3 spp.) and Nomioides (1 sp.) (Nomioidinae); and to the east the same species of Nomia (Pseudapis) plus Nomia (Crocisaspidia) (1 sp.). Strangely no Halictinae were recorded.

In total, flowers of five families of plants within the reserve and two further to the east, were recorded as visited, the number of families visited by single species ranging from one to three. The plant families visited by more than one species were Boraginaceae, four species, and Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) three species, all within the reserve.

In the semi-arid to arid areas of southern Africa Halictidae are species diverse and include some of the commonest bees (Eardley et al. 2010, Eardley and Urban 2010, Gess and Gess 2014). Gess and Gess (2004 and 2014) recorded a high incidence of polyphagy throughout the family with possible preferences being discernable in the Halictinae.

Colletidae

One species only of Colletidae was collected but it was not associated with a flower.

Megachilidiae

Megachilidae collected in the DDCR were represented by seven species of Megachilinae: five Megachilini, Megachile concinna, M. minutissima, M. patellimana, M. maxillosa and Coelioxys indica; one Osmiini, Haetosmia circumventa; and two Anthidiini, Icteranthidium n. sp. and Pseudoanthidium ochrognathum.

Megachile concinna, M. minutissima and M. patellimana, were all collected from flowers of Fabaceae (Mimosoideae); M. concinna and M. patellimana in addition from Apocynaceae (Asclepiadoidea), Leptadenia pyrotechnica; and M. patellimana, the most common species, in addition from Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, Brassicaeae, Fabaceae (Papilionoideae) and Zygophyllaceae but most commonly from Heliotropium kotschyi at three sites and Tribulus macropterus at one of the same sites, none the less demonstrating broad polyphagy.

A female Megachile patellimana, captured carrying leaf pieces, was nesting in the sand beneath H. eliotropium kotschyi where Coelioxys indica was seen to be inspecting burrow openings. Coelioxys indica was visiting H. eliotropium kotschyi together with M. patellimana. As Coelioxys are known to be cleptoparasites of megachilids it is suggested that M. patellimana is a host of Coelioxys indica.

Megachile patellimana is represented in Namibia, where it has been collected from flowers of Crotalaria podocarpa DC (Papilionoideae) (Gess and Gess 2003).

No visits to flowers were observed for Megachile maxillosa, although it was nesting in trap nests, one bundle tied to a branch of Calotropis procera outside the drip irrigation area at Tawi Ruwyyan and the other on the trunk of a palm tree in the grove at the Camel Farm. This species was commonly collected visiting flowers in the semi-arid to arid areas of South Africa and Namibia (Gess and Gess 2003) where it was shown to be polyphagous, having been collected from flowers of Acanthaceae, Asclepiadoideae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae (Caesalpinioideae, Mimosoideae and Papilionoideae), Pedaliaceae and Polygalaceae, however, in Namibia it was most commonly visiting Papilionoideae, most notably species of Crotalaria.

Haetosmia circumventa was collected from three sites during five collecting events. All specimens were visiting flowers of Heliotropium kotschyi (Boraginaceae), suggesting a preference for Boraginaceae, supported by Gotlieb et al. (2014) in which it is recorded that H. circumventa is oligolectic, specialising in collecting pollen from the flowers of Heliotropium, for which purpose the mouthparts are modified to extract pollen from narrow floral tubes.

Icteranthidium n. sp was observed during two collecting events at Crotalaria aegyptiaca to be the most common visitor to flowers of this plant. Furthermore, it was not visiting other flowers at the same or any other site, suggesting that it may specialize in visiting Papilionoideae, which taken together with its behavior and fit would suggest that it is a likely pollinator of C. aegyptiaca.

Pseudoanthidium ochrognathum was most commonly observed visiting flowers of Boraginaceae, Heliotropium kotschyi and Moltkiopsis ciliata, suggesting a preference for Boraginaceae, however, one specimen was taken from Aerva javanica growing in close proximity to M. ciliata.

It would appear that in the DDCR, as in the semi-arid to arid areas of southern Africa (Gess and Gess 2004 and 2014) Megachilini are polyphagous but for some species of Osmiini and Anthidiini strong preferences are suggested.

Apidae

During the course of the present survey, remarkably few species of Apidae were observed visiting flowers: six species of Apinae, two Apini and four Anthophorini; and four species of Xylocopinae, two Xylocopini and two Ceratinini.

The two species of Apis, A. (Micrapis) florea and A. mellifera, are well known to be broadly polyphagous.

The two species of Anthophorini, Amegilla bysina and Anthophora tenella, and one of the two species of Melectini, Thyreus hyalinatus, were represented amongst the visitors to Heliotropium kotschyi. However, A. bysina, typically for Amegilla, is broadly polyphagous. In the DDCR it was represented in samples from, Asclepiadoideae, Asteraceae and Papilionoideae, in addition to Boraginaceae.

Anthophora tenella was taken not only from flowers of Boraginaceae but also of Mimosoideae. Thyreus elegans was uncommon, only one specimen, a single female, having been found visiting flowers of Dipterygium glaucum (Capparaceae). As Thyreus are nest parasites of anthophorines it was surprising that they were so uncommon.

The two large carpenter bees, Xylocopa fenestrata and X. aestuans were both commonly seen visiting Calotropis procera (Asclepiadoideae) at various sites. At Quarn Nazwa, where C. procera was not present, X. fenestrata was collected from flowers of Centaurea pseudosinaica (Asteraceae).

The two small carpenter bees, Ceratina parvula and C. tarsata were not represented in samples from Calotropis procera. In the dune enclosure at the Lucerne farm, where C. procera is well represented, C. parvula was visiting flowers of Heliotropium kotschyi, Limeum arabicum and Tribulus macropterus. Ceratina tarsata, represented by a single female, was taken in a sample of visitors to flowers of Acacia tortilis at a site east of the DDCR.