Environmental consultant Oubaid Alouni believes seed preservation can transform the natural landscape. By planting flowers suited to each season, he says vegetation cover can flourish throughout the year.

“There are flowers that bloom in summer, others in spring, and some in autumn,” he explained. r5“This cycle supports life and keeps nature active all year long.”

Alouni highlights honeybees as one of the most critical species linked to this effort. They rely on flower availability, making floral diversity essential for their survival.

A strong population of pollinators, he said, indicates thriving plant life. This balance also supports beekeepers and contributes to local economic stability.

He noted that environmental sustainability extends far beyond flowers alone. The health of pollinators affects the health of entire ecosystems.

Birds, for instance, feed on insects and pollinators found in natural habitats. If pollinators decrease, bird populations may decline as well. “Every species is connected,” Alouni added. “Removing one link creates imbalances across the ecological pyramid.”

Raising awareness about environmental protection remains a key priority. Alouni recalled a time when public understanding of vegetation preservation was limited.

Volunteers were few and environmental advocacy was not widely recognized. “People used to be surprised by our efforts,” he said.

Today, environmental sustainability has become a national focus in the Kingdom. Government initiatives emphasize restoring natural habitats and supporting ecological balance.

One major contributor to this progress is the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification. The center has launched wide-scale projects to support native seed production.

A recent initiative involves planting one million seedlings sourced from mother seeds. This effort has significantly increased the production and preservation of local seeds.

Seed production rose from 30 tons last year to more than 80 tons this year. The 167 percent increase strengthens national seed reserves and enhances restoration capabilities.

These seeds are scattered across degraded lands to rehabilitate vegetation cover. The process helps reestablish natural habitats and improve ecological health.

More than 30,000 hectares of rangelands can now be restored each year. This expansion supports biodiversity and contributes to long-term sustainability goals.

Saudi Arabia also achieved global recognition for its seed storage efforts. The Kingdom secured a world record for maintaining the largest seasonal seed collection.

This accomplishment highlights the country’s growing leadership in biodiversity protection. It also underscores the importance of storing genetic resources for future generations.

Alouni said the momentum is supported by increasing community involvement. He recently joined volunteers planting native seeds across natural areas.

He described these activities as a sign of growing public awareness. Officials and volunteers are working side by side to strengthen vegetation cover.

“The efforts have increased, and we hope to do even more,” he said. “We should not stop here—the environment still needs our support.”

Alouni added that many once-doubted flowers now thrive in unexpected regions. Common poppies and anemones, previously thought unsuitable for central Saudi Arabia, are flourishing.

Their growth has turned parts of Najd into colorful landscapes. He believes this transformation reflects the Kingdom’s environmental potential.

According to him, restoring vegetation cover is not just a seasonal project. It is a long-term mission to strengthen nature, enrich biodiversity, and support future generations.

Conducted throughout 2024 and 2025, the study reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing commitment to sustainable conservation and environmental stewardship under the Vision 2030 framework.

The large-scale assessment, carried out across more than 400 sites, examined vital marine and coastal habitats such as coral reefs, seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, and mudflats.

The project was completed in collaboration with international experts using advanced research methods, including underwater imaging, satellite remote sensing, and internationally recognized ecological evaluation techniques.

The findings revealed that coral reefs along the eastern coast maintain a healthy cover rate of around 22 percent, with minimal bleaching not exceeding 2 percent.

Scientists noted that the dominant coral species, including Porites and Merulina, exhibited strong resilience to the region’s warm temperatures and changing environmental conditions.

These results demonstrate the natural strength of Saudi Arabia’s marine biodiversity and the success of recent conservation initiatives.

Equally promising were the results for seagrass meadows, which remain stable across most surveyed areas. These meadows are critical for maintaining marine life and supporting carbon storage.

Meanwhile, mangrove forests were found to span approximately 1,573 hectares, displaying dense and healthy vegetation, especially in key areas such as Ras Tanura and Tarout Island.

Mangroves play an essential role in protecting shorelines, preventing erosion, and providing nursery grounds for fish and other marine species.

The assessment also highlighted the richness of marine fauna in the Arabian Gulf. More than 80,000 fish from 90 distinct species were observed during the study, alongside sightings of large marine animals including dugongs, dolphins, turtles, sharks, and rays.

These findings reinforce the Arabian Gulf’s importance as a critical habitat supporting regional biodiversity and sustaining vital ecosystems.

In addition to marine life, the study recorded 176,836 birds representing 69 different species, emphasizing the region’s significance as a global stopover for migratory birds.

Peak bird numbers were noted during the autumn migration season, with Dammam Corniche and Tarout Bay identified as key breeding and aggregation zones.

Researchers even documented the first recorded sighting of Franklin’s gull in Saudi Arabia, marking an exciting discovery for ornithologists and nature enthusiasts.

National Center for Wildlife CEO Mohammed Qurban emphasized that the assessment reflects Saudi Arabia’s dedication to scientific research, biodiversity preservation, and sustainable ecosystem management.

He stated that the results will serve as an important scientific reference to guide national planning and decision-making aimed at protecting the Kingdom’s natural heritage.

Qurban also highlighted that maintaining healthy coastal and marine environments contributes directly to global climate stability, food security, and economic sustainability.

He affirmed that the study’s findings align with the broader objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative, which seeks to enhance environmental conservation, expand protected areas, and promote ecological restoration throughout the country.

The positive assessment of the eastern coastal environment builds on previous studies by the NCW, including extensive research in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf.

These initiatives demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s leadership in using data-driven methods to ensure the long-term protection of its natural ecosystems while balancing sustainable development.

The report’s conclusions mark an important step in the Kingdom’s journey toward environmental resilience. By integrating science, innovation, and policy, Saudi Arabia continues to establish itself as a regional leader in conservation and sustainable marine management.

The results from this study reaffirm that the Kingdom’s eastern coastline remains vibrant, biologically diverse, and capable of supporting both present and future generations.