Abstract:
Kuwait is a desert country and presents different ecosystems. Being in the arid climatic zone, rainfall is insignificant compared to evapotranspiration, thus the desert landscape is highly vulnerable to wind erosion leading to desertification. Desert rehabilitation is a critical environmental strategy aimed at restoring degraded arid ecosystems affected by climate change, overgrazing, unsustainable land use, water scarcity, and soil erosion. To reverse desertification process requires analytical and stable rehabilitation processes that achieve green ecosystems. However, any initiative taken to rehabilitate deserts and to combat desertification requires detailed investigation of deserts and the current status of the degraded ecosystems. In Kuwait, the methods used to conserve vegetation are fencing the desert areas as conservative reserves following by strict patrolling to control extruders and animals entrance, revegetation and controlled grazing. Fencing is the most economical method of restoring degraded desert ecosystems, and plays an important role in promoting plant community diversity and productivity, as well as stable ecosystem structure and function. Successful rehabilitation depends on understanding local ecological conditions, selecting suitable species, and involving local communities in planning and implementation. In this study, desert rehabilitation efforts made in Kuwait will be presented and discussed, including the use of drought-resistant native plants, soil stabilization, controlled grazing, revegetation and land management. Although desert restoration is challenged by limited water availability, extreme temperatures, and slow ecosystem recovery, adaptive management and long-term surveillance monitoring can improve outcomes. Effective rehabilitation can reduce desertification, strengthen ecosystem services, support local livelihoods, and increase the resilience of dryland environments to future environmental pressures.
Keywords: Desert Environment, Desertification, Drought, Native Plants, Fencing, Ecosystems.