Deserts unveiled: Exploring the biodiversity of the Saharo-Arabiandesert vegetation

Summary

My PhD research provides a comprehensive study of desert vegetation in the Saharo-Arabian region, spanning from North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula. The key contributions include:

1. Detailed classification and mapping of desert plant communities, revealing greater diversity than previously recognized.
2. Identification of new vegetation types.
3. Development of a unified classification system for desert vegetation across the region.
4. Creation of vegetation suitability maps to predict plant distribution under current and future climate scenarios.
5. Analysis of environmental factors shaping desert plant communities, including climate, soil, and topography.

Our research advances the understanding of these unique and fragile ecosystems, providing valuable insights for conservation and land management in arid regions. It also contributes to global climate change research by modelling potential shifts in desert vegetation. This work is significant for biodiversity conservation, sustainable land use, and climate adaptation strategies in desert environments worldwide.