Grasses, shrubs, and hardy trees such as the acacia grow naturally. Grapes and apricots are grown on the slopes of Al Jabal al Akhdar. Coconut palms grow on the south side of the mountains in Dhofar and frankincense trees on the north. Some of the richest fishing grounds in the world are off the coast of Oman, with tuna and sardines among the principal catches. Goats, sheep, camels, and some cattle are raised.
Wildlife includes several hundred species of birds, lizards, snakes, and scorpions.
Rare animal and plant species are protected in nature reserves and protected coastal areas. It also has significant natural gas reserves. In addition, there are modest deposits of copper, gold, chromite, manganese, asbestos, coal, and limestone. Flash floods can occur when sudden, heavy rains run off the mountains and down the wadis, or valleys. In Oman's interior summer winds cause large sandstorms and periodic droughts occur.