Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Wildlife (NCW) has launched the Decade Land Expedition for Terrestrial Ecosystem Exploration, a large-scale research initiative aimed at documenting the Kingdom’s biodiversity on land.

The project brings together experts from national universities, royal reserves, and international organizations to conduct extensive field surveys across all terrestrial ecosystems.

Their work will focus on identifying endemic and endangered species, evaluating the threats they face, and developing targeted conservation strategies to protect them.

NCW CEO Dr. Mohammed Qurban described the expedition as a cornerstone of national efforts to restore ecosystems and enhance ecological balance, aligning with the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030. 

The expedition will also create a centralized national database and produce interactive digital maps cataloging all recorded species and ecological sites.

The project builds on NCW’s previous large-scale research efforts, such as the 2022 Red Sea Decade Expedition and exploration programs in the Arabian Gulf, which have documented the Kingdom’s marine biodiversity. 

Once completed, Saudi Arabia will possess one of the most comprehensive and integrated biodiversity databases in the region, serving as a crucial resource for scientists and policymakers working toward sustainable environmental management.