Saudi Aramco Biodiversity Protection Areas - ipieca.org · 23. Saudi Aramco: Public. Landfilling for Urban Development. Environmental Pressure on Coastal Zone: 90% of the Eastern

Saudi Aramco: Public

Saudi Aramco Biodiversity Protection Areas11/17/2014

© Copyright 2016, Saudi Aramco. All rights reserved.

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1: Background to Saudi Aramco biodiversity protection areas

2: Case Study 1: Shaybah Dune Habitat

3: Case Study 2: Mangrove EcoPark

Outline

27/10/2014© Copyright 2016, Saudi Aramco. All rights reserved.

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Background


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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

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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

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Several priority areas have been identified


• Afforded full protection from Company operations

• Company supports conservation efforts

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Karan IslandKurayn Island

Jana Island

Jurayd Island

Arabiyah Island

Harqus Island

Coral Reef Islands

• Centers of Biodiversity

• 52 Species of Corals

• Habitats for Endangered Species Turtles, Birds

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Tarut Bay

Manifa-Tanajib

Musallamiyah-Ad Dafi

Manifa, Tanajib Musallamiyah, Dafi Abu Ali, Tarut

Shallow Marine EnvironmentsExtreme Physical Conditions

Vital component of the coastal environment

Abu Ali

Coastal Embayments

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Eastern Province Mangrove Habitats

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Shaybah Dune Habitat

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Case Study 1:Shaybah Dune Habitat


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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

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Shaybah Plant Diversity



Fence Length: 104 kmProtected Area: 637 km2

Allows Gene Flow

Shaybah Residential a Industrial Compoun

Visitor facilities

Extra vegetation

Research lab

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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

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Case Study 2:Mangrove EcoPark


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Breeding and nursery grounds

Enhance marine diversity

Protect shorelines from erosion

Recreation and tourism

Importance of mangroves

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Landfilling for Urban Development

Environmental Pressure on Coastal Zone:

90% of the Eastern Province mangrove has been lost

Rationale

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Mangrove conservation

Mangrove plantation

Mangrove Eco-Park

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1993

1998

Mangrove transplantation at Abu Ali

2014

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Mangrove Nursery

Planting two million mangrove trees

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Mangrove Conservation

Mangrove EcoPark Tarut Bay Pilot Project

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Mangrove Eco-Park Zonation

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Mangrove Eco-Park Research Center


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Mangrove Eco-Park Research Center and Boardwalk


Saudi Aramco Biodiversity Protection Areas11/17/2014

© Copyright 2016, Saudi Aramco. All rights reserved.

Documents

Saudi Aramco Biodiversity Protection Areas - ipieca.org · 23. Saudi Aramco: Public. Landfilling for Urban Development. Environmental Pressure on Coastal Zone: 90% of the Eastern