Planted forests
Description of plantation resources
Introduction
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia lies in southwestern Asia. It is characterized by hot weather most of the year. The relative humidity in most of the country is low except at the seashore where it is higher than 90%. Rainfall is low and erratic. It is mostly in the form of intensive showers resulting in severe runoff and soil erosion. The annual rainfall varies from 30 mm in the north, increasing to 90 mm in the northeast and to 85 to 110 mm in the middle region. It falls during the period from December to April. In the Sarawat Mountains (the chain of the Hegaz and Asir Mountains) the annual rainfall is about 300 mm, distributed throughout the year. In the Tehama plains, the annual rainfall is 450 mm. The sandy soil covers about 40 percent of the total area of the country. It is found mainly in the deserts of the Empty Quarter, Dahnaa and Nefod.
Development of forest plantations
The Ministry of Agriculture and water started afforestation programs in Higri year 1396 (1975 Gregorian) to rehabilitate degraded natural forest areas
Indigenous and exotic tree species proven to grow well under the existing environmental conditions were planted to increase the green area, improve the climate and environment, establish picnic areas, control soil erosion and create a suitable environment for wildlife and birds. By 1999, fifty-four sites of degraded forests, afforestation programs and sand dune stabilization projects had been planted with a total area of 3 582 ha, distributed as follows: 265 ha in the Al Baha region, 98 ha in the Besha region, 143 ha in Asir, 1 131 ha in Riyadh, 91 ha in the Taeef region, and 1 800 ha in the sand dune stabilization project at Al-Elsa.
Currently, treated sewage water is used to irrigate the planted trees to increase the green area and for desertification control in the Riyadh and Taeef regions. Also, water from dams is used to irrigate trees in the reforestation of degraded forest areas.
Species composition
Indigenous species such as Acacia saligna, A. salicina, A. cyanophylla, A. farnesiana, A. asak, A. arabica, Tamarix articulata and Tamarix aphylla are used in afforestation programs.
Species trials were carried out to introduce new forest tree species that can grow satisfactorily in the different habitats of the country. The following species proved to be adapted and grow well: Casuarina equisetifolia, Casuarina decasineana, Parkinsonia aculeata, Prosopis spp., Eucalyptus spp., Zizyphus spina-christii, Albizia lebbek, Azadirachta indica, Dalbergia sissoo, Leucaena spp., Schinus molle, Conocarpus spp., Robinia pseudo-acacia, Dodonia viscosa, Juniperus phoenicea, Pinus halepensis, Jacaranda mimosaefolia, Delonix spp., Pithecellobium dulce.
Trend
The Government uses treated sewage water to irrigate planted trees to avoid any hazardous effect on human health. It also establishes plantations for aesthetic purposes and green belts around settlements for shade and protection.
Issues
No information available.
References
Khaled, N. Al-Mosa. 1999. Report on forests in Saudi Arabia Kingdom. Department of Forests, Ministry of Agriculture and Water, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.