This dataset provides a detailed assessment of tree density across key forested regions in Saudi Arabia, including Al-Khalah Forest (Baljurashi, Al-Baha), Al-Ghoqa Forest (Al-Baha), and select forests in Al-Madinah, Makkah, Asir, and Jazan. The data is compiled from authoritative sources, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), National Center for Vegetation Cover (NCVC), United Nations Geographic Information Systems (UNGIS), and Global Environmental Monitoring Systems (GEMS). It serves as a critical resource for ecological monitoring, conservation planning, and sustainable land management under Saudi Arabia’s Green Initiative and Vision 2030 environmental goals.
Key Features
Geographic Coverage:
Primary Focus: High-priority forests in southwestern Saudi Arabia, including:
Al-Khalah Forest (Baljurashi, Al-Baha) – A biodiversity hotspot for Juniperus procera.
Al-Ghoqa Forest (Al-Baha) – Known for its mixed woodland ecosystems.
Secondary Areas: Forests in Al-Madinah, Makkah, Asir, and Jazan, representing transitional and coastal ecosystems.
Data Parameters:
Tree Density Metrics:
Trees per hectare (spatial averages and grid-based counts).
Canopy cover percentage (derived from remote sensing).
Spatial Resolution:
High-resolution (1:25,000 scale for core forests).
Regional overviews (1:100,000 scale for broader areas).
Methodology:
Field Surveys: Ground-truthed by NCVC teams using plot sampling (500+ survey points).
Remote Sensing: Satellite imagery (Sentinel-2/Landsat) analyzed by FAO and GEMS.
Data Integration: UNGIS-standardized formats for cross-regional consistency.
Quality Assurance:
Accuracy: ±5% margin for density estimates (validated via 20% resurveys).
Completeness: 95% coverage of target forests; gaps noted in rugged terrains.
Standardization: Adheres to FAO’s Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) protocols.
Applications
Conservation: Identifying deforestation hotspots and intact forest zones.
Policy Support: Informing Saudi Arabia’s National Transformation Program for environmental protection.
Research: Baseline data for studies on arid-forest resilience and carbon sequestration.