FAO-NCVC Document Repository
FAO-NCVC document repository provides access to articles, reports, guidelines, plans, strategies, and other knowledge products to support the management and conservation of vegetation and natural resources and protection of the environment.
Communities in NCVC
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KSA Environment Sector These documents are formal publications, mostly published by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. They encompass a range of materials, including strategies, action plans, and other relevant resources.National Center for Vegetation Cover This repository refers to NCVC publications related to the sustainable management of Natural resources. They encompass various forms such as thematic reports, action plans, guidelines, manuals, and policy documents. Guidelines and manuals provide instructions and best practices for conservation, management, or restoration activities, while policy documents outline policies and regulations related to natural resource management.News & Events This section entails updates, announcements, and information about recent developments, activities, and events relevant to the natural resources Sector. This section serves as a central hub for users to stay informed about the latest news, initiatives, and opportunities within their field of interest.Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development (SRAD) Project This community holds knowledge products related to natural resources management in KSA, with a focus on forests, rangelands, national parks, and combating land desertification. The four areas are of key interest to the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) and are the main themes of the Natural Resources management (NRM) component of the Sustainable Rural Agriculture Development (SRAD) project. SRAD Project is developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MoEWA) and is implemented in partnership with NCVC.
Recent Submissions
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Al Baha Pilot NFI - Summary of Data Collection and Analysis Methodology
(FAO KSA, 2024-09-13) FAO KSA
The report provides a summary of the methods and tools used for the pilot National Forest Inventory (NFI) in Al Baha region. The summary covers the conceptual consideration made in the selection of methods and tools. especially adherence to the international methods and tools developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for the purpose of undertaking National Forest Inventories.
The summary covers sampling design including requirement for sampling intensification in areas with higher forest cover, and the specification, details, and features for the sampling unit.
Data collection and management approaches are discussed, and the process followed for specific analysis are also presented. These cover among other aspects computation of tree densities, calculation of tree basal cover and volume, and estimation of tree biomass and carbon stock.
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Range Field Survey and Assessment Manual
(FAO NRM KSA, 2022) FAO KSA
Effective rangeland management relies on a comprehensive understanding of the nature, structure, and extent of the rangelands. Without this knowledge, accurately estimating carrying capacity, selecting appropriate animal species, and optimizing sustainable production become challenging for range managers. Rangeland surveys, conducted at various scales depending on objectives, serve to determine the potential of the rangeland, assess current production levels, evaluate the level of use, analyze the condition and trend, identify the proper mix of animal species, explore multiple uses, and ascertain economic value. This survey manual is designed to guide the observation, assessment, and surveying of rangeland conditions, vegetation, species composition, biomass production, and carrying capacity. Developed to support the National Center for Vegetation Cover (NCVC) in surveying Saudi Arabia's rangelands and natural resources, the manual provides a standardized methodology incorporating geospatial technology, enabling managers and technicians to collect, analyze, and interpret data for sustainable rangeland management in the Kingdom.
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Forestry sector review of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
(FAO NRM KSA, 2021) FAO KSA
Saudi Arabia faces a semiarid to hyperarid climate, resulting in water scarcity and diminished vegetal cover. With only 2% of the land suitable for agriculture, the country has 2.7 million hectares of forest lands, 171 million hectares of rangelands, and 158,000 hectares of mangroves. Despite a low forest cover of 1.3%, forests play a crucial role in protecting against erosion, biodiversity preservation, carbon sequestration, water distribution, and economic, recreational, scenic, touristic, and climatic values.
The Forest Sector Review (FSR) aims to analyze the sector's current state and recommend interventions aligning with KSA Vision 2030 and national and international development goals. The FSR methodology includes quantitative and qualitative data collection, stakeholder consultations, and workshops. Findings reveal challenges in staffing, technical capacity, legal frameworks, and urgent environmental concerns.
Recommendations focus on human resource development, organizational capacity building, and the creation of a national forest policy to promote sustainable management, community engagement, and socio-economic development. Strategic interventions target forest cover improvement, ecosystem management, climate change adaptation, governance, enterprise enhancement, research, gender mainstreaming, and sectoral coordination, aiming to positively influence KSA's forestry development.
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Best Practice Criteria and Indicators for selecting and prioritizing sites for ecotourism development in National Parks
(FAO NRM KSA, 2022) FAO KSA
Ecotourism development at the National Parks sites of Saudi Arabia is presently at an embryonic stage. Kickstarting investments and establishment of ecotourism ventures at the National Parks, will involve two proactive and innovative complementary strategies: developing guiding criteria and indicators for selecting suitable National Park sites for ecotourism development and providing investors with information on the investment opportunities at the National Parks. These strategic approaches will unlock and overcome the obstacles currently holding back the underutilized ecotourism potential in the National Parks of Saudi Arabia.
This report provides a framework for selection and prioritization of sites for ecotourism development based on key criteria against which a potential site can be assessed such as the level of National Park area attractiveness in terms of natural and cultural features, the parks conducive enabling environment for promoting ecotourism ventures, the National Parks tourism carrying capacity and the existing National Parks infrastructure. This information will assist in making an objective analysis of the potential sites before the commencement of any ecotourism project.
It will serve as a guiding tool for the National Parks department, National Park managers and the private investors in integrating basic sustainability standards for planning and implementing ecotourism operations