https://arab.news/r9vcd
- Wildlife center says the assessment in 2024 and 2025 considered conditions at more than 400 sites
RIYADH: 海角直播鈥檚 National Center for Wildlife has declared the environment on the Kingdom鈥檚 east coast to be generally healthy after the first comprehensive assessment.
In a report carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the wildlife center said the assessment, conducted throughout 2024 and 2025 at more than 400 sites, examined a wide range of critical marine and coastal environments, including coral reefs, seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, and mudflats.
In collaboration with international experts, the assessment used internationally recognized field methodologies, such as underwater imaging and satellite remote sensing, to create a detailed scientific database.
鈥淩esults showed that coral reefs had a healthy cover rate of 22 percent, with low levels of bleaching not exceeding 2 percent,鈥� said the report, adding that the dominant species observed, such as Porites and Merulina, 鈥渄emonstrated resilience to harsh environmental conditions.鈥�
Seagrass meadows were found to be stable in most areas. (SPA)
Seagrass meadows were found to be stable in most areas, the report said, while researchers also found that mangrove forests covered an estimated 1,573 hectares and displayed healthy vegetation, particularly around the Ras Tanura and Tarout Island areas.
鈥淥ver 80,000 fish from 90 species were observed. Field records also confirmed the presence of large marine animals, including dugongs, dolphins, turtles, sharks, and rays, highlighting the Arabian Gulf鈥檚 importance as a major habitat,鈥� the report said.
The study also recorded 176,836 birds from 69 species, with peak numbers occurring during the autumn migration season.
A new species for 海角直播, Franklin鈥檚 gull, was observed, and Tarout Bay and Dammam Corniche were identified as key breeding and aggregation sites, the report said.
A total of 176,836 birds from 69 species were observed during the period covered by the assessment. (SPA)
NCW CEO Mohammed Qurban said the assessment reflects the Kingdom鈥檚 commitment to advancing scientific research and its applications in protecting the marine environment, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 and the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative.
Qurban said that safeguarding marine environments enhances the future of biodiversity, climate stability, and food security. The results, he added, provide a crucial scientific reference to support national plans for biodiversity protection and achieving sustainable development.