DESERTIFICATION IN SAUDI ARABIA: IMPACTS OF EXCESSIVE IRRIGATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON VEGETATION LOSS THROUGH MATHEMATICAL MODELING

Abstract

In Saudi Arabia, as defined by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) as ''land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors, including climatic variations and human activities'' desertification is becoming a more serious environmental issue, particularly in regions like Al-Qassim While climate change makes water scarcity and vegetation degradation worse, over-irrigation speeds up soil degradation The purpose of this study is to determine how vegetation dynamics are impacted by dust pollution, over-irrigation, and climate change Three differential equations representing dust pollution (D), vegetation density (P), and climatic change intensity (G) were used to create a nonlinear mathematical model. The model captures essential environmental dynamics, emphasizing how vegetation helps mitigate climate change, the challenges posed by limited water availability, and the impact of dust on plant life. Using MATLAB, numerical simulations were performed to explore different environmental scenarios and evaluate their effects. Results showed that excessive irrigation and high dust pollution lead to soil salinization and weaken plant resilience, accelerating vegetation decline. In contrast, reforestation and sustainable irrigation play a crucial role in stabilizing plant ecosystems and slowing desertification. Maintaining ecological balance requires a well-planned combination of afforestation, dust control, and responsible water management. If left unchecked, uncontrolled irrigation and rising dust levels speed up land degradation, highlighting the urgent need for climate adaptation measures and sustainable water policies. By leveraging mathematical modeling and numerical simulations, engineers and ecologists can gain valuable insights into managing agriculture and environmental sustainability in arid regions like Saudi Arabia. These tools help develop data-driven strategies that improve long-term land use and conservation efforts.