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How did Muslim scholars improve irrigation, agriculture, and navigation?

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World map showing the global distribution of Islam, with countries shaded in varying tones of green to indicate the estimated percentage of the population practicing Islam. Darkest green represents countries with 95-100 percent Muslim populations, including much of North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Central and South Asia. Lighter greens show lower percentages, while most of Europe, the Americas, Australia, and East Asia are shaded to indicate less than 25 percent Muslim population.
Islamic world

Muslim scholars in the medieval period made significant advancements in agriculture, irrigation, and navigation by building upon existing knowledge and conducting empirical research.12

Agriculture and Irrigation

Scholars and practitioners introduced innovative concepts in irrigation, fertilization, and soil cultivation to enhance productivity. They also advanced the scientific breeding of livestock, such as horses and cattle, and developed new grafting techniques to produce diverse varieties of flowers and fruits.2

Navigation

In the field of navigation, Muslim scholars improved existing technologies, which were essential for trade and travel across the Islamic world. A key instrument used was the astrolabe, which functioned as a rudimentary analog computer for calculating the positions of the Sun and stars. By the 13th century, Arab navigators were also utilizing the magnetic compass to determine their heading, a tool that became increasingly vital for maritime travel. These developments were supported by a broader culture of scientific inquiry, including the establishment of observatories for the empirical study of heavenly bodies.234