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
Rangelands in Saudi Arabia occupy over 70% of the land. They have very long history of grazing. They contribute significantly to feed requirements of the grazing animals. Diversity in habitats resulting from greatly different land forms (mountains, sand dunes, wadis, land depressions and shore and inland salt-marshes), is reflected on highly diverse plant communities. 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.
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.
4. Create a GIS-based information of rangelands 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.
(Reprints are available upon request from Dr. Saud L. Al-Rowaily)