Saudi Arabia Advances In Combatting Invasive Species With NCVC Project

The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) has concluded the initial phase of its project titled "Study and Assessment of Invasive Plants in Saudi Arabia, and Establishing Control and Sustainable Management Methods for Them." This phase involved analysing over 1,000 sources to gather data on invasive alien species listed in the national inventory, which the centre has been tracking in recent years.

The NCVC mapped the geographical distribution of these species within Saudi Arabia and beyond. They evaluated their environmental, social, economic, and health impacts at various levels. Additionally, the centre examined the economic importance of each species and reviewed international experiences in managing different species.

The project is part of the "Enhancing Drought Preparedness and Mitigation Initiative," a National Transformation Program initiative. It aims to assess desertification, identify areas at risk from sand encroachment, and mitigate drought impacts. The study also focuses on invasive plants in Saudi Arabia and developing control methods within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030.

The NCVC announced the launch of the project's second phase, which includes field visits to 1,000 study points nationwide. These points were identified using remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS), along with data on climate, topography, and vegetation cover in areas where invasive species are expected to spread.

The project seeks to create a comprehensive study of invasive plants across different regions through experts in environmental science, taxonomy, sustainable management, GIS, remote sensing, and economic and social studies. The goal is to work together to achieve the project's objectives of assessing these plants and developing methods for their control and sustainable management.

NCVC's Broader Efforts

The NCVC is actively involved in developing and protecting vegetation cover sites. They monitor and rehabilitate degraded areas across the Kingdom while detecting violations. Their efforts also include combating desertification and supervising rangelands, forests, and national parks. These initiatives contribute to sustainable development goals under the Saudi Green Initiative.

With inputs from SPA