NEOM discovers new native plant species
in Saudi Arabia
The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA) and NEOM, the
futuristic development project in northwest Saudi Arabia, have announced the
discovery of eight previously unrecorded native plant species in the Kingdom.
This discovery comes as part of the 'NEOM Flora Program,' a two-phase
initiative that involved a thorough study of NEOM’s geology, soil, watershed hydrology, ecology, and topography. The program aligns with NEOM’s commitment
to preserving 95% of its natural environment and contributes to its ongoing
efforts to document and restore the region's unique biodiversity.
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Eng. Ahmad Alayadh, Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture
(for Agriculture), expressed pride in the achievement: "The newly
discovered plant species have been documented at the National Herbarium within
the Seed Center and Plant Genetic Resources Bank in Riyadh. These species
represent an important contribution to Saudi Arabia’s recorded flora." He
also commended the team for their dedication to this groundbreaking work.
The eight new species identified include Bituminaria flaccida
(Nábělek) Greuter, Cicer judaicum Boiss, Crambe hispanica L.,
Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC, Hyoscyamus boveanus (Dunal)
Asch. & Schweinf, Muscari longipes subsp. Longipes, Phagnalon
nitidum Fresen, and Plantago sinaica (Barnéoud) Decne.
Dr. Paul Marshall, Head of the NEOM Nature Reserve, commented: "The
NEOM Nature Reserve plays a critical role in protecting and restoring the
unique landscape of NEOM. The NEOM Flora Program is a testament to our careful
planning and management as we develop NEOM, and it highlights our dedication to
regreening and rewilding the area."
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Dhiya Zaidan, Landscape Team Manager in NEOM’s Urban Planning Department,
emphasized the importance of understanding native plant species for sustainable
urban landscape design: "This initiative has led to the documentation of
345 local plant species, including 28 rare ones, along with the eight new
species not previously recorded in the Kingdom. These achievements are the
result of the hard work and dedication of our researchers and scientists."
Launched in 2021, the ‘Flora Program’ is a key part of NEOM’s mission to
conserve and document the region’s natural heritage. The program not only
increases knowledge of local vegetation but also supports NEOM’s broader goal
of creating a world-class protected area as part of its commitment to
preserving 95% of its natural environment.
Source: neom.com
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