An overview of wetlands of Saudi Arabia: Values, threats, and perspectives

مقال فى مجلة

2016

O’Connell, Sami Al-Obaid, Boudje´ma Samraoui , Jacob Thomas, Hamed A. El-Serehy, Ahmed H. Alfarhan, Wolfgang Schneider, Mark . 2016

The wetlands of Saudi Arabia are located in a
water-stressed region that is highly vulnerable to climate and
other global changes. Sebkhas, mudflats, mangroves, and
wadis are the dominant wetlands in the arid regions of North
Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. These unique wetlands are
recognized as a sanctuary for biodiversity and for their
economic services generated from mineral extraction,
agriculture, and grazing. Despite their ecological values
and societal services, the long-term permanence of Saudi
Arabia’s wetlands faces strong challenges resulting from
human activities associated with sustained population
growth, habitat degradation, and coastal development. This
paper consolidates a literature review of Saudi Arabia’s
wetlands from local to global importance, highlights their
biodiversity, and identifies threats and evolution of these
vulnerable ecosystems in the arid Arabian Peninsula by
focusing on the status of key freshwater taxa (Odonata,
freshwater fishes, amphibians, and waterbirds) and
documenting changes affecting important wetlands.