SYNopsis

The aim of this study is to designate protected areas in the southwestern highlands of Saudi Arabia, the Sarawat Mountains. The Sarawat Mountains is a biodiversity hotspot that remains a home to several endemic and endangered species such as the Arabian leopard.

Synopsis

BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS

Arabian Peninsula's

Biodiversity Hotspot

ORIGINAL PROPOSAL IN GREEN, AND ADDED REGIONS IN BLUE.

Our planet’s “biodiversity” is the vast array of life on Earth, and it faces a crisis of historic proportions. Development, urbanization, pollution, and diseases are all wreaking havoc on the tree of life. Today, species are going extinct at the fastest rate since the mass extinction of the dinosaurs.

Biodiversity Hotspots

AFROMONTANE HOTSPOT

Sarawat Mountains

Southwestern Saudi Arabia

The Horn of Africa and the Sarawat are some of the most degraded hotspots in the world, with only about 5 percent of its original habitat in relatively pristine condition. Uncontrolled hunting, particularly of ungulates, is a serious threat in many parts of the hotspot.

Afromontane Hotspot

Methodology

METHODOLOGY

Understanding & analysis of protected areas and national park conservation system.

Categorization of protected areas, considerate of Saudi values

Creation of a national park definition, considerate of Saudi values

Protected areas' characteristics

(Size and features)

Creation of designation criteria for protected areas

Protected areas' relationship with neighboring dwellings & dwellers

Designation of the most suitable area to become a Category II protected area (National Park)

1.

Visit to preliminary designated locations

2.

3.

Development of landscape locations' basis of designation (GIS)

4.

5.

Designation of a Category II protected area (National Park)

Categorization of designated protected areas

Development of landscape locations' basis of designation