Quick Links:
Rich land-based flora biodiversity can be found at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). From parks, gardens, lakes, and golf courses to halophytes, sabkha, and both sandy and gravel plains, there are a wide variety of habitats catering to the unique needs of varied species. Indeed, across the ecosystem are at least 73 plant species native to this area of the Arabian Peninsula, on top of a variety of exotic plants obtained from nurseries within and outside of Saudi Arabia. In total, more than 150 species of plant can be found across the KAUST estate.
These include a range of grasses and sedges such as Chloris virgata, Panicum turgidum, and Cyperus conglomeratus, several species of tree including acacias and mangroves, and two types of fungi. KAUST is also rich in herbs and shrubs, with more than 20 varieties to be found.
These include Aerva javanica (a type of desert cotton), Calotropis procera (flowering plant), and Leucophylum frutescens (also known as Texas sage, an evergreen shrub). Combined, our collection of flora covers a surface area of more than 1.2 million square meters, 70% of the plant species across the site being drought resistant.
These include a range of grasses and sedges such as Chloris virgata, Panicum turgidum and Cyperus conglomeratus, several species of tree including acacias and mangroves, and two types of fungi. KAUST is also rich in herbs and shrubs, with more than 20 varieties to be found.
These include Aerva javanica (a type of desert cotton), Calotropis procera (flowering plant) and Leucophylum frutescens (also know as Texas sage, an evergreen shrub). Combined, our collection of flora covers a surface area of more than 1.2 million square meters, 70% of the plant species across the site being drought resistant.
Both resident and migratory birds constitute the majority of fauna found on site. However, other animal species such as desert hedgehogs, fruit bats, lizards and geckos, as well as invertebrates such beetles, butterflies, moths, spiders, dragonflies and grasshoppers have also been recorded across the various parts of the KAUST site.
Bug Hotel
Hibiscus
Lynx oxyopes sp.
Tiger butterfly
Paraechinus aethiopicus
Female Thyene imperialis
Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Plants are vital to life on Earth, playing a key role in sustaining our existence. They provide the oxygen we breathe, essential nutrients for a healthy diet, and create inspiring, vibrant environments that enrich our daily lives.
At KAUST, we have carefully curated over 150 plant species, blending native flora with varieties from across the globe to enhance our campus ecosystem. Maintaining this diverse plant life in the harsh Arabian climate is no small feat. It demands meticulous care and a sustainable approach to minimize environmental impact. To this end, 70% of the plants on campus are drought-resistant, ensuring resilience in our arid surroundings.
In addition to native species, we’ve enriched our landscape with unique plants sourced from around the world, including trees from Tunisia, Norway, India, and the Dominican Republic, among other regions. These efforts reflect our commitment to cultivating a thriving and diverse environment at KAUST.
In total, KAUST is home to 15,000 trees which derive from 70 different species spread across 25 families.
The biggest family is Fabaceae, of which there are 21 species to be found across our estate.
They include the striking red Delonix regia, commonly know as the ‘flame tree’ and native to Madagascar.
We also nurture seven species of Moraceae, including the deep green Ficus macrocarpa, known as the ‘Indian laurel’ and native to China. The vast majority of our tree species (61 out of 70) are drought tolerant. Alongside our rich variety of trees, KAUST hosts 16 species of palms, all from the Arecaceae family.
Notoriously drought resistant plants, these are ideal additions to our ecosystem and include specific varieties such as Bismarckia nobilis, Phoenix dactylifera and Cocos plumosa.
In terms of smaller plants, we also look after around 70 species of shrub, ground covering plants and succulents. Between them, they cover some 320,000 square meters and provide important sanctuary to land-based wildlife. Specific species include the Gardenia jasminoides, a plant native to Southeast Asia and known for its beautiful white flowers. We have also imported the ‘copperleaf’ Acalypha wilkesiana plant from the Pacific island of Vanuatu, as well as the ground covering ‘moses in the cradle’ from the south of Mexico. As with our trees and palms, the majority of shrub, ground cover and succulent plants species (53 out of 69) are drought tolerant, making them naturally suited to the Arabian climate. For more information on KAUST’s plant biodiversity, download our comprehensive guide here.
