Table 1 Ranking of the top 3 plant species using close range photography and field based ranking in a UAE desert ecosystem

Sand dunes

Leptadenia pyrotechnica

1

1

Crotalaria aegyptiaca

2

2

Calotropis procera

3

0

Sand flats

Crotalaria aegyptiaca

1

2

Leptadenia pyrotechnica

2

1

Calotropis procera

3

0

Gravel plains

Heliotropium kotschyi

1

4

Leptadenia pyrotechnica

2

3

Rhanterium epapposum

3

6

DDCR

Sand dunes

Haloxylon salicornicum

1

3

Leptadenia pyrotechnica

2

1

Cyperus conglomeratus

3

6

Sand flats

Calotropis procera

1

3

Leptadenia pyrotechnica

2

1

Haloxylon salicornicum

3

6

Gravel plains

Haloxylon salicornicum

1

4

Leptadenia pyrotechnica

2

1

Calotropis procera

3

3