Survey of Rangeland Resources in Saudi Arabia
Awarding Institute: Ministry of Agriculture
Principle Investigator: Dr. Saud L. Al-Rowaily
Co-Investigator: Prof. Abdulaziz M. Assaeed, Prof. Sulaiman A. Al-Khateeb and Dr. Abdulaziz. A. Al-Qarawi.
Introduction
In recent decades, rangeland vegetation has experienced dramatic changes as a result of increase demand for red meat by the growing population of the country. The only comprehensive survey took place during the early sixties of the past century. It was necessary and urgent to asses the current condition of rangelands.
The project started on the year 2001 and covered the northern part of the country. Using Satellite imageries, sampling sites were selected (to not more than 20 km a part) and stratified to accommodate heterogeneity of landscape. Data recorded in each site included surface soil, topography, plant species, and type of animal. In addition, vegetation attributes measured in each site would include cover, density and frequency. In general, eight hundred and fifty nine sites were surveyed in four years from 2001 through 2004.
Research Objectives
1. Classify rangeland vegetation in plant communities.
2. Asses rangeland resources in different regions of the country.
3. Asses the current rangeland conditions of the country.
Results
Al-Saud, T. bin Saud, S.L. Al-Rowaily, F.S.N. Al Arifi, A.M. Assaeed, S.A. Al-Khateeb, A. Al-Mahari, and A.A. Al-Qarawi. 2005. Rangeland survey in Saudi Arabia. Remote Sensing. International Conference on Advanced Remote Sensing for Earth Observation Systems. International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS), May 7-11, 2005, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Al-Rowaily, Saud L.R and A.M. Assaeed. 2003. Vegetation of Hail-alQassim regions of Saudi Arabia. 22nd Annual meeting, Saudi Biological Society. Al-Qassim, Dec. 16-18, 2003. pp.88-89.
Al-Saud, Turki bin Saud, S.A. Al-Khateeb, S.L. Al-Rowaily, F. S.N. Al Arifi, A.M. Assaeed, A.A. Al-Qarawi. 2007. Rangeland of Eastern Region. The International Conference on the Arabian Oryx in the Arabian Peninsula, The 23rd meeting of the Saudi Biological Society, Riyadh, 21-23 April, 2007. pp. 51.
Accepted for Publication
Al-Rowaily, S. L.,Turki bin Saud Al-Saud, S.A. Al-Khateeb, F. S. Al Arifi, A. M. Assaeed, and A. A. Al-Qarawi. (2008) Rangelands Condition of the Northern Part of the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia. Saudi J. Biological Sci.
Reports
Volume #1 
- المجلد الاول- نهائي -مراعي-1.pdf