Locating suitable mangrove plantation sites along the Saudi Arabia Red Sea Coast

This paper describes a method to locate suitable sites for mangrove plantations along the southern Saudi Arabian Red Sea Coast based on the geological setting of the area. Geological characteristics such as soil type, geomorphology and drainage were considered as siting criteria. Satellite imagery and digital elevation models were interpreted to determine most of the parameters. The study determined that mangrove stands are primarily concentrated in the southern part of the study area and that they are sparsely found northward. Using data provided by satellite imagery, topographic maps and soil samples, the study was able to determine that three areas now barren of vegetation have the environmental elements necessary to support mangroves. One, in particular, would be especially suitable for establishing a plantation. In this paper, we describe the methods we used to make this determination and show the results of the analysis.