The impact of Saudi nature reserves: a comparison study on the vegetation of protected and non-protected areas using remote sensing

Abstract

This research set forth to explore and examine the impact of Saudi nature reserves in protecting vegetation cover by comparing protected and non-protected areas using remote sensing techniques. Five research objectives were developed to address the research aim. The first objective was to obtain satellite imagery from USGS Earth Explorer. The second one was to use ERDAS Imagine software to process the images applying different techniques. Then, to calculate the vegetation total area of protected area and its adjacent non-protected lands. Following this, results were analysed to compare between protection by fencing and non-fencing. Finally, research findings were discussed in relation to previous studies’ results. After processing and analysing the data of the study areas. This study came up with valuable findings. Firstly, protected areas proved to be advantageous in conserving vegetation as it retained higher values of vegetation than non-protected or adjacent lands. Secondly, formal protection with a firmed fence helps conserving more vegetation as it raises the efficiency of the protected area.