Abstract
This study aimed at evaluating 73 traditional wells in Hiznah village, Albaha region (Saudi Arabia). All information about the availability of water, well status, irrigation and drinking uses and associated plant species were recorded. The statistical method in terms of the determination of relationships between wells characteristics was analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficient. Forty-seven (65.75%) of wells were concentrated in the north of study area, 14 wells (17.81%) in the middle and 12 wells (16.4%) in the south of the study area. The majority of wells (79.5%) showed water availability and almost (46.6%) of such wells were used for both irrigation and drinking purposes. Approximately, 58.9% of wells were open followed by 34.2% and 6.8% of covered and fenced, respectively. Plant species were associated with 35.6% of open and fenced wells. The plant species were; Ficus palmata (31.5%), Celtus africana (2.7%) and Ficus vasta (1.4%). The availability of water in most wells may reflect the energy of groundwater to feed them, which they are concentrated in the north of the study site and this may due to increased recharged rates in these areas. Groundwater wells need further investigations regarding their quality to avoid any health hazards to crops, animals, and humans if water is to be used for irrigation and drinking.