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Fighting Desertification
Desertification is one of the biggest environmental challenges in Saudi Arabia, and native plants are the first line of defense. Learn about the problem and your role in the solution.
What is desertification?
Desertification is when land in dry areas gets damaged until it loses its plant cover, its fertility and its ability to produce. It is often caused by human activity together with low rainfall.
Why does it matter in Saudi Arabia?
Most of Saudi Arabia is dry with little rain. So when plant cover is lost, it directly affects grazing land, groundwater and air quality, and it increases moving sand and dust storms.
The main causes of desertification
Overgrazing
Too many animals stop plants from growing back and leave the soil open to wind.
Cutting trees for firewood
Cutting trees like Samr, Talh and Ghada removes the most important defense against moving sand.
Overusing groundwater
Too much irrigation for thirsty crops lowers groundwater and makes soil saltier.
Off-road driving and urban growth
Driving off the roads crushes plants and breaks up the soil surface.
Low rain and high heat
Long dry periods weaken plants and speed up land damage.
Invasive plants
Plants like mesquite crowd out native plants and use up water.
How do plants fight desertification?
Holding the soil
Roots hold the soil and stop wind and floods from carrying it away.
Blocking wind and sand
Trees and shrubs act as natural windbreaks that protect farms, roads and villages.
Less dust and cooler air
Plant cover reduces dust storms and lowers the temperature.
Richer soil
Leaves and roots add organic matter that keeps moisture, and some plants like acacias fix nitrogen.
Saudi Arabia is fighting desertification
The Saudi Green Initiative and the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification work to restore land, increase plant cover and protect trees from cutting.
Source: Saudi Press Agency (SPA), March 2026, and the Saudi Green Initiative website.
How can you help?
Start with one plant
Every native tree you plant protects the soil, reduces dust and helps make Saudi Arabia greener.
What should I plant? Browse regions