Titre du document / Document title

Present condition of rangelands of Saudi Arabia: Degradation steps and agement options

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

RAJA AL ROWAILY Saud L. ;

Résumé / Abstract

Most of the Saudi Arabia land can be classified as arid or semi arid ecosystems, thus, rangelands make up over 74% of the total area. Grazing and agriculture have traditionally been the pattern of life for centuries. Before the turn of the century, rangelands offered most of the livestock needs, when the country population was low and the hema system existed. During the last few decades, livestock population in the country increased in association with an increase in human population, because of change in dietary and lifestyle, and a significant increase in demand for meat and milk. Over-grazing, over exploitation of rangelands, human activities, and poor management policies disrupted desert ecosystem causing dramatic changes in vegetation and soil leading to rangeland deterioration and thus desertification. This paper highlight the significance of the rangelands of Saudi Arabia, their features and distribution, and a conceptual model of three levels of degradation and management inputs. It is important to recognize early degradation, because costs increase with increased levels of degradation.

Revue / Journal Title

Arab gulf journal of scientific research   ISSN 1015-4442 

Source / Source

2003, vol. 21, n^o3, pp. 188-196 [9 page(s) (article)]

Langue / Language

Arabe
Revue : Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States, Riyadh, ARABIE SAOUDITE  (1989) (Revue)

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 20442, 35400011587723.0080