Floodplains And Meadows Rehabilitation In Saudi Arabia Promotes Sustainability And Biodiversity

The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification is moving ahead with the Floodplains and Meadows Rehabilitation Initiative, which aims to restore about 4.7 million hectares across Saudi Arabia. The programme targets these sensitive landscapes to protect biodiversity, support local economies, and strengthen long-term environmental sustainability in line with national green goals.

Floodplains and meadows are seen as strategic natural assets in Saudi Arabia because they support livestock grazing, help capture carbon, and limit sand movement and dust storms. These areas also provide important habitats for wildlife species, so their rehabilitation is closely linked to broader efforts to conserve national natural resources.

These landscapes are known for their fertile soils formed by repeated floodwater deposits, which create deep layers rich in organic material. Their dense plant growth and wide range of species mean floodplains and meadows are considered among the most suitable places for cultivation and are recognised for high biodiversity compared with many surrounding dry areas.

Across Saudi Arabia, more than 1,000 floodplains and meadows have been identified, from small basins to zones spanning thousands of hectares. Many of these sites are concentrated in the central areas and the northeast, including Rawdat Khuraim, Rawdat Tinhat, Rawdat Al-Khafs, Fiyadh Al-Summan, and Al-Hajrah, which form key ecological pockets.

NCVC data show that these floodplains and meadows extend over diverse terrains yet share common environmental functions. They act as natural sinks for rainwater, support dense vegetation cover, and serve surrounding communities by supplying grazing areas, wildlife refuges, and potential zones for small-scale sustainable agriculture and nature-related activities.

The Floodplains and Meadows Rehabilitation Initiative relies on an integrated package of actions to restore vegetation cover and stabilise soils. Measures include planting native trees and shrubs, broadcasting rangeland seeds to encourage natural regeneration, applying advanced rainwater-harvesting techniques, and securing the sites to reduce human pressure and safeguard long-term ecological balance.

Rehabilitation measures and vegetation cover management in floodplains and meadows

The initiative also supports social and economic activities that rely on healthy floodplains and meadows. NCVC highlights organised grazing to maintain rangeland condition, promotion of beekeeping and honey production, and investment in medicinal and aromatic plants. Ecotourism development is encouraged so visitors can enjoy natural landscapes while supporting local income.

Alongside this specific initiative, NCVC continues nationwide programmes to develop, protect, monitor, and rehabilitate vegetation cover across Saudi Arabia. The centre works to detect encroachments, combat illegal woodcutting, and supervise rangelands, forests, and national parks, which strengthens sustainable development and contributes to the wider objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and related national strategies.

NCVC’s ongoing work on floodplains and meadows, including implementation of the rehabilitation programme and wider monitoring duties, reflects increasing attention to integrated land management in Saudi Arabia. The agency states that these efforts support biodiversity, secure ecosystem services for local communities, and align with national environmental plans reported by SPA at 13:39 Local Time, 10:39 GMT.

With inputs from SPA