Saudi Aramco Biodiversity Protection Areas

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Horace Bates
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2 Outline 1: Background to Saudi Aramco biodiversity protection areas 2: Case Study 1: Shaybah Dune Habitat 3: Case Study 2: Mangrove EcoPark 2 27/10/2014 Copyright 2016, Saudi Aramco. All rights reserved.

4 Saudi Aramco Saudi Arabia s national oil and gas company Manages over 100 oil and gas fields in Saudi Arabia Offshore and onshore Reservation areas often contain valuable habitat The company is committed to establishing protected areas within these reservation areas 4 27/10/2014 Copyright 2016, Saudi Aramco. All rights reserved.

5 Protecting biodiversity on Saudi Aramco reservation areas Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure (SAEP-359: Biodiversity Protection Areas): 1. Conduct robust ecological surveys 2. Areas that meet biodiversity criteria can be nominated and designated as areas for protection E.g., contains endemic, threatened, and/or migratory species 3. Develop Biodiversity Action Plan, including: Ongoing monitoring for adaptive management Environmental education opportunities 5 27/10/2014 Copyright 2016, Saudi Aramco. All rights reserved.

Several priority areas have been identified Afforded full protection from Company operations

7 Coral Reef Islands Harqus Island Arabiyah Island Karan Island Kurayn Island Jana Island Jurayd Island Centers of Biodiversity 52 Species of Corals Habitats for Endangered Species Turtles, Birds 7

8 Coastal Embayments Manifa, Tanajib Musallamiyah, Dafi Abu Ali, Tarut Manifa-Tanajib Musallamiyah-Ad Dafi Abu Ali Shallow Marine Environments Extreme Physical Conditions Tarut Bay Vital component of the coastal environment 8

9 Eastern Province Mangrove Habitats 9

10 Shaybah Dune Habitat 10

17 Shaybah Dune Habitat Vast area of massive intact dune system No invasive species Diverse desert-adapted fauna - Sand cat (Felis margarita harissoni) - Rub al-khali hare (Lepus capensis cheesmani) - Desert monitor (Varanus griseus) - Migratory birds Endemic plant species - Calligonom comosum - Zygophyllum mandevillei 17 27/10/2014 Copyright 2016, Saudi Aramco. All rights reserved.

19 Shaybah Residential a Industrial Compoun Fence Length: 104 km Protected Area: 637 km2 Allows Gene Flow Visitor facilities Extra vegetation Research lab

Shaybah Dune Habitat Secure fence Prevents camel grazing Prevents unregulated vehicle impacts Prevents hunting Fence designed to allow ingress and egress of small

20 Shaybah Dune Habitat Secure fence Prevents camel grazing Prevents unregulated vehicle impacts Prevents hunting Fence designed to allow ingress and egress of small animals Expect plant density to increase with concomitant increase in native animals within the enclosed area 20 27/10/2014 Copyright 2016, Saudi Aramco. All rights reserved.

22 Importance of mangroves Breeding and nursery grounds Enhance marine diversity Protect shorelines from erosion Recreation and tourism 22

23 Rationale 90% of the Eastern Province mangrove has been lost Environmental Pressure on Coastal Zone: Landfilling for Urban Development 23

24 Mangrove conservation Mangrove plantation Mangrove Eco-Park 24

25 Mangrove transplantation at Abu Ali

26 Mangrove Nursery Planting two million mangrove trees 26

27 27

28 Mangrove Conservation Mangrove EcoPark Tarut Bay Pilot Project 28

29 Mangrove Eco-Park Zonation 29

Mangrove Eco-Park Research Center 30 27/10/2014

31 Mangrove Eco-Park Research Center and Boardwalk 31

photos Department of Environment and Conservation Biodiversity Conservation

photos Department of Environment and Conservation Biodiversity Conservation EcoEducation - making the connections to biodiversity conservation Do you consider experiential learning of biodiversity in the