On the use of biotechnology for biodiversity conservation in arid countries with special reference to Oman

The paper considers the possible uses of biotechnology for biodiversity conservation in arid countries with special reference to Oman, wherever appropriate. The application of biotechnology for biodiversity conservation is poorly understood in the arid regions and, therefore, there is a need for strategies to link these two areas. There are four categories of challenges, (i) Environmental, (ii) Scientific, (ii) Socioeconomic and (iv) Administrative. Overcoming these challenges and benefiting from the potential of biotechnology to promote biodiversity conservation should receive serious attention in the arid nations of the developing world.