National Center for Vegetation Reports Three Zones
The National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification in Saudi Arabia has issued a report about three vegetation zones. These include natural vegetation in mountains, deserts, coasts, and valleys. Approximately 73% of Saudi Arabia, around 146 million hectares, is covered in pastures.
Agricultural and Urban Vegetation
The center distinguishes agricultural vegetation as farmlands and urban vegetation as city greenery. This distinction helps in targeted preservation efforts.
Combating Sand Encroachment
The center uses remote sensing and field monitoring to locate the places most vulnerable to sand encroachment and soil erosion by wind. This is crucial to protect roads, residential areas, agricultural lands, and natural pastures.
Consequently, all of this contributes to protecting vegetation which results in combating desertification and soil erosion. It reduces dust storms and improves soil health, water resources, biodiversity, climate, and overall environmental and social well-being.
Utilizing Modern Technologies
Remote sensing is pivotal for monitoring environmental changes and land degradation. Moreover, Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) analyze data to predict drought-prone areas.
Therefore, this prediction will help to adopt procedures and measure necessary for combating desertification.
Protecting Vegetation Sites
The center focuses on protecting, monitoring, and rehabilitating deteriorated vegetation. It also combats harmful practices through awareness campaigns, legal actions, managing pastures, forests, and national parks for sustainable development. These measures align with the Saudi Green Initiative.
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