Saudi Arabia’s spirit of resilience stands strong against desertification winds – Global concerns addressed

The deserts of Saudi Arabia are amongst the largest in the world, and controlling the natural migration of sand has always been a challenge. This is not only important for farmers looking to increase agricultural productivity but also for communities striving for a prosperous future or seeking investment for growth.

The Al Ahsa oasis in the eastern province of the Gulf state, one of the country’s largest and most productive oases, is under threat from encroaching sands.

At least nine villages in the immediate area have been inundated by sand dunes that can reach heights of up to 15 meters. Some have been dug out, while others remain buried.

Holding back desertification

“This is not a new phenomenon,” said Mona Dawalbeit from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which has been collaborating with the Saudi government and local communities on trials to combat desertification. “Communities and farmers require additional support as they lack the resources to tackle this issue alone.”

Climate change has escalated the problem, as higher temperatures and lower ground moisture contribute to drier sand and an increased risk of desertification.

The state-owned oil company Aramco, which operates in the eastern desert, has historically protected infrastructure, including roads, by mechanically removing sand and implementing other measures. However, the costs are significant, so FAO has been advocating for more sustainable methods.

Trials are being conducted on low-level sand barriers made of palm fronds, which are cost-effective and utilize material that would otherwise go to waste.

According to Mona Dawalbeit, “Various designs can be customized to safeguard farms and service facilities based on geographical and geomorphological conditions.”

These designs can feature checkerboard and linear patterns with varying heights, ranging from 10 cm to one meter, depending on the specific purpose of the sand barrier.

Environmental benefits

The checkerboard technique effectively reduces sand encroachment and encourages the growth of natural vegetation, creating favorable conditions for planting trees or spreading seeds.

“The palm barriers will not completely halt the wind-driven movement of sand towards the land you seek to protect,” explained Mona Dawalbeit, “but they do slow it down and alter its flow significantly.”

Using palm fronds also has additional environmental advantages, as they would typically be burned as waste, releasing harmful carbon dioxide gas that contributes to climate change.

FAO is also testing weather stations based on global standards to provide data on the complex science of sand movements.

Preventive action

By analyzing sand grain ‘deposit suspension,’ ‘saltation,’ and ‘surface creep,’ along with other climatic factors such as wind speed, direction, humidity, and temperature, the volume and direction of sand encroachments can be predicted.

Preventative measures can then be focused on specific locations where sand tends to encroach upon valuable agricultural land, eroding the topsoil.

FAO collaborated with the Green Environment Society in Al Ahsa to install sand barriers aimed at protecting Al Ahsa National Park, a government-managed entity.

The initiative aimed to strengthen the relationship between governmental institutions and local communities while enhancing the capacity of NGOs to construct sand barriers using palm fronds.

Community involvement

“This approach not only ensures local sustainability,” emphasized FAO’s Mona Dawelbait, “but also encourages community engagement in environmental conservation efforts.”

“In Saudi Arabia, and Al Ahsa particularly, concerns regarding land degradation and loss of productive land are prevalent,” she added, “but together we can transform these challenges into opportunities.”

“I have worked with desert communities for 20 years. They are resilient people with strong spirits, and I believe that the effort to combat land loss will continue beyond this FAO intervention,” concluded Mona Dawelbait.