Protected Areas in the Arabian Peninsula

Abstract

Protected areas help conserve key elements of biodiversity, play a significant role in social and economic development, and embody many practical approaches to participatory and collaborative management. Although approximately 230 protected areas have been legally established in the Arabian Peninsula comprising approximately 900,000 km², this system does not fully reflect the diversity of habitats and species, and the level of management greatly varies from one area to the next. The IUCN Protected Areas Programme helps to guide and enhance the development of adequate regional approaches and models for effective protected area management, with a focus on community participation and involvement at all levels.

Key words:

• Protected Areas
• Arabian Peninsula
• Participatory Approaches
• IUCN