Floodplains And Meadows Rehabilitation In Saudi Arabia Elevates Biodiversity And Sustainability

The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification is moving ahead with the Floodplains and Meadows Rehabilitation Initiative, aiming to restore these sensitive natural systems across Saudi Arabia and keep them sustainable, because they hold major environmental and economic value for communities and contribute directly to national climate and development goals.

According to the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, the initiative targets floodplains and meadows that together cover around 4.7 million hectares. These areas are treated as a national environmental asset, as they support livestock, absorb carbon, limit sand movement, reduce dust storms, and provide important habitats for wildlife species.

Floodplains and meadows across Saudi Arabia number more than 1,000 individual sites, from small natural basins to expansive tracts covering thousands of hectares. Most are concentrated in the central region and the northeast, including Rawdat Khuraim, Rawdat Tinhat, Rawdat Al-Khafs, Fiyadh Al-Summan, and Al-Hajrah, which are key locations for rehabilitation activities.

These floodplains and meadows contain deep, fertile soils laid down by repeated flood events, along with dense plant cover rich in organic matter, which makes them well suited for cultivation. Their biodiversity is a defining feature, supporting varied plant and animal life and reinforcing the ecological importance of ongoing rehabilitation work.

The Floodplains and Meadows Rehabilitation Initiative also addresses how local people use these landscapes. It helps regulate grazing to preserve rangeland condition and maintain forage for livestock. The initiative encourages beekeeping and honey production, supports investment in medicinal and aromatic plants, and promotes selected sites as controlled ecotourism destinations.

On the ground, the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification applies a package of measures to restore floodplains and meadows. Efforts include planting native trees and shrubs to reinforce vegetation cover, spreading rangeland seeds to aid natural regeneration, using advanced rainwater-harvesting techniques, and securing sites to protect them over the long term.

Beyond this specific initiative, the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification continues nationwide programmes to develop, protect, monitor, and rehabilitate vegetation cover areas. The centre works to detect encroachments, combat illegal woodcutting, and manage rangelands, forests, and national parks in line with sustainable development policies across Saudi Arabia.

The Floodplains and Meadows Rehabilitation Initiative therefore contributes to conserving biodiversity and ecosystems, improves environmental conditions for nearby communities, and supports sustainable economic activities. By enhancing vegetation cover and restoring these natural landscapes, the initiative also backs the wider objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and national efforts to protect natural resources.

With inputs from SPA