Saudi Arabia is commonly imagined as an expanse of sand, largely due to its vast desert landscapes. However, this perception overlooks a surprising wealth of natural environments. Beyond the iconic dunes, the country’s natural heritage extends to towering mountains and vibrant marine ecosystems, showcasing unexpected diversity.
The Vast Desert Ecosystems
Saudi Arabia’s deserts are diverse, encompassing varied geological formations. The Rub’ al Khali, or Empty Quarter, is one of the largest continuous sand deserts, characterized by immense dunes reaching 300 meters. The Al-Nafud desert in the north-central region features distinctive red sands, while rocky plains known as hamadas also stretch across the landscape. The Ad-Dahna desert, a series of sand ridges, links the Al-Nafud to the Rub’ al Khali.
Life in these conditions shows remarkable adaptation. Flora like Calligonum comosum thrives on unstable dune crests, alongside dwarf shrubs such as saltbush and sedge. After rare rainfall, desert ephemerals burst into bloom, transforming barren stretches into temporary carpets of color. Fauna includes the iconic Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx), reintroduced into reserves like ‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid. Other animals are the elusive sand cat (Felis margarita), various gazelle species (sand and reem), and reptiles like the Arabian sand fish, known for “swimming” through sand.
The Verdant Western Highlands
Saudi Arabia’s western highlands offer a landscape of greenery and cooler climates, a contrast to the arid plains. The Sarawat Mountains, including the Asir and Hijaz ranges, run parallel to the Red Sea coast, with peaks like Mount Soudah reaching over 3,000 meters. This elevated terrain benefits from monsoon rains between May and October, receiving up to 48 centimeters of precipitation annually in areas like Asir.
These mountains host unique ecosystems, including cloud forests draped with lichens like Usnea articulata. Juniper forests, dominated by Juniperus procera, blanket many slopes, while lower elevations feature evergreen woodlands of Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata. Terraced farms cling to the mountainsides. Wadis, or dry riverbeds, crisscross the landscape, often transforming into temporary rivers and supporting lush vegetation after heavy downpours. The region is home to the hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas), commonly observed in the Asir Mountains. Efforts are also underway to protect the critically endangered Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr), which persists in very low numbers in these isolated southwestern mountains.
Red Sea and Arabian Gulf Marine Life
Saudi Arabia’s extensive coastlines along the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf harbor rich marine environments. The Red Sea is known for its pristine and resilient coral reefs, boasting over 300 coral species, with approximately 14% endemic to its waters. This underwater world supports high biodiversity, including over 1,100 fish species, about 15% of which are found nowhere else.
Dugongs (Dugong dugon) inhabit the Red Sea, alongside nine species of dolphins and five species of sea turtles, including Hawksbill and Green turtles, which have established nesting grounds. Colorful reef fish, such as butterflyfish, angelfish, and surgeonfish, are commonly observed. The Arabian Gulf, while shallower, features extensive seagrass meadows and mangrove forests that serve as important nurseries and feeding grounds for marine organisms. These Gulf mangroves, particularly in areas like Safwah, provide habitats for 125 species of fish, crustaceans, and migratory birds.
National Conservation Initiatives
Saudi Arabia has launched conservation initiatives to protect its natural assets. National parks, such as Asir National Park and ‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid Reserve, provide protected habitats for diverse flora and fauna. Species reintroduction programs have been successful for the Arabian oryx and sand gazelle, bringing these animals back from the brink of local extinction. The red-necked ostrich has also been reintroduced to areas like Mahazat as Sayd Protected Area.
These conservation endeavors are part of Saudi Vision 2030, a national framework emphasizing environmental sustainability and ecotourism. Projects like Red Sea Global and NEOM lead this commitment, aiming for regenerative tourism. Red Sea Global targets a 30% net conservation benefit by 2040 and plans to plant 50 million mangroves by 2030. The Saudi Green Initiative reinforces these goals, aiming for the planting of 10 billion trees across the country. These efforts preserve the kingdom’s natural wonders.