Corporate Stewardship of Wetlands in Arid Landscapes: A Scalable Model for Biodiversity Conservation in Saudi Arabia

Wetlands in arid environments function as critical ecological refugia, delivering disproportionately high biodiversity value and ecosystem services relative to their limited spatial extent. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia lies at the convergence of major Palearctic and Central Asian migratory flyways, supporting an estimated three billion migratory birds (~300 species) annually. Despite their ecological significance, wetlands across the region are increasingly threatened by land-use change, hydrological alteration, and industrial expansion, necessitating scalable and cross-sectoral conservation solutions.

This study presents a corporate biodiversity stewardship framework that operationalizes wetland conservation within an industrial landscape while explicitly aligning with the principles of the Ramsar Convention, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 6, 13, 14, and 15), and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. A systematic conservation planning approach was implemented integrating: (i) geospatial mapping and inventory of wetlands; (ii) biodiversity significance assessment using 13 ecological criteria harmonized with national priorities and global standards; and (iii) designation of high-value sites as Biodiversity Protection Areas (BPAs), followed by targeted interventions including ecological restoration, hydrological enhancement, invasive species control, and stakeholder engagement.

By 2025, 35 BPAs have been established, including 22 wetlands supporting migratory waterbirds associated with the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds flyway network. Monitoring results indicate improved habitat quality, enhanced ecological integrity, and increased utilization by wetland-dependent taxa. These wetlands collectively support over 400 plant species, 300 bird species, 47 mammals, 35 reptiles, and 119 invertebrates, with further biodiversity gains anticipated through improved habitat connectivity and adaptive management.

The framework directly contributes to global biodiversity and sustainability targets, including ecosystem restoration (GBF Target 2), expansion of conserved areas (Target 3), sustainable use (Target 5), climate resilience through nature-based solutions (Target 8), biodiversity mainstreaming (Target 14), and corporate accountability (Target 15). Simultaneously, it advances Ramsar’s “wise use” principle and supports SDG targets related to water security, climate action, and life below water and on land.

This work demonstrates how biodiversity conservation can be effectively mainstreamed into corporate governance and operational systems, offering a replicable, science-based model for private-sector leadership in wetland conservation.