Saudi Arabia Utilizes Remote Sensing and AI to Battle Desertification

Saudi Arabia Utilizes Remote Sensing and AI to Battle Desertification

Saudi Arabia is intensifying efforts to combat the critical issue of desertification, a pressing geological challenge for the Kingdom. In a strategic move, the Saudi Environment Ministry has launched a pioneering program that harnesses the power of remote sensing technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) to assess vegetative cover conditions. This initiative aligns with the broader objectives of afforestation projects and the visionary “Green Saudi” initiative

The program’s primary objective is to counteract desertification, a prevalent concern in Saudi Arabia due to its arid climate. The devastating impact of desertification is evident across the nation, as once-fertile agricultural lands and water-rich valleys succumb to barrenness.

Recognizing the urgency to address this environmental crisis, the Saudi Environment Ministry’s initiative leverages cutting-edge technologies. Remote sensing technologies and AI algorithms will be used to study the status of vegetative cover, offering crucial insights to guide afforestation projects and further the goals of the “Green Saudi” initiative.

Environmental experts attribute desertification to multiple factors, including scant rainfall, overexploitation of water resources, and the rural-to-urban migration of farmers. This combination leads to the deterioration of arable land and exacerbates the effects of desertification in affected regions.

H3: Greening the Landscape

As a response, Saudi Arabia has embarked on an array of comprehensive initiatives, with the “Green Saudi” initiative taking the forefront. This ambitious project sets out to plant an astounding 10 billion trees across the country, spanning an expansive 40 million hectares. Through this measure, the Kingdom aims to counter the encroaching effects of desertification and restore ecological balance.

H3: Cutting-edge Research for Environmental Resilience

To spearhead these efforts, the “National Center for the Development of Vegetative Cover and Combating Desertification” plays a pivotal role. Employing state-of-the-art technologies and research methodologies, the center is committed to advancing its core

objectives.