A prelude to the Plant Diversity of Saudi Arabia

Introduction The diversity of plant life is a vital component of our terrestrial ecosystems and it plays a key role in maintaining the region's environmental balance and stability. It also helps in the protection of watersheds, stabilization of slopes, improvement of soils, moderation of climate and the provision of a habitat for much of our wild fauna. Ever since the beginning of civilization, the association of man and plants are well known and the basic needs required for man such as food, clothing, fuel, shelter and medicine are fulfilled by plants. Saudi Arabia contains one of the diverse floras of this region. In addition to the endemic plants, the influences of the surrounding floristic regions can be seen in many parts of the plant diversity hotspots of Saudi Arabia. The following paragraphs show an outline of the plant diversity of Saudi Arabia, including plant associations, endemism, ethnobotanical uses, etc.