The rangelands of Saudi Arabia are important for the livelihood of local pastoral communities. Lowland rangelands cover huge areas in the saline saltmarshes, dry sand dunes and arid desert plains, with noticeable latitudinal and edaphic gradients, marked floristic zonation, and vegetation influenced by limited water availability. Highland rangelands display altitudinal gradients, mild wet conditions and plentiful pastoral output. This review provides insights into those rangelands’ geodiversity, distribution, characteristics, and phytodiversity in relation to climatic conditions and species acclimatization potential. It also provides analysis of soil erosion, overgrazing, alien and invasive plants, urban sprawl, and intrusive recre-ational activities, as serious threats facing rangelands. A discussion of the necessary monitoring and management measures is also presented in terms of environment management goals.

Saudi Arabian rangelands, characteristics, distribution, geodiversity, management, monitoring, phytodiversity, threats