Sofia: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) organized a workshop titled 'Adaptive Management of Non-Native Plant Species' as part of its efforts to protect ecosystems and advance environmental sustainability.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the workshop presented the scientific perspective of adaptive management as an approach based on understanding site characteristics and assessing vegetation cover density and environmental conditions. These help limit the spread of non-native species and reduce their negative impacts while turning environmental challenges into promising opportunities with environmental, economic, and social value.
This is achieved by applying the core pillars of adaptive management, including prevention, containment, targeted selective removal, ecological restoration, governance, and ongoing monitoring, as well as reviewing leading global experiences and applying effective operational practices.
The workshop highlighted a step-by-step methodology for managing affected sites. It begins with assessing and identifying impacted areas, followed by regulating biomass and organizing plant communities through targeted on-the-ground interventions to limit spread and strengthen competition in favor of native species.
It moves through restoring ecosystem functions, culminating in landscape management that enhances spatial connectivity, enables natural regeneration, supports long-term stability, and strengthens local communities' connection to their natural environment. An open discussion session was also held to exchange views and expertise among specialists, participants and interested stakeholders.
NCVC works to develop, protect and monitor vegetation cover sites across Saudi Arabia; rehabilitate degraded areas; detect encroachments; combat logging; and oversee rangelands, forests, and national parks and their sustainable use, supporting sustainable development and contributing to the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative.