Abstract
The present study analyses the vegetation of three raudhas in central Saudi Arabia (Kharj, Khuraim and Binban). Seventy-five stands were examined and the martrix of 68 species × 75 stands, based on species cover data, was classified using TWINSPAN and ordinated using DECORANA. Eleven vegetation groups were generated: one dominated by Hammada elegansand five dominated by Acaciaspp. ( A. iraquensis, A. elatior, A. seyal, A. tortilis-Ziziphus spina-christi-Rhazya strictaand A. abyssinica). The Acaciaspp. communities represent the climax stage of the xerophytic vegetation in Saudi Arabia and have, in most cases, high species cover and low species diversity. Another five groups are dominated, fully or partly, by species that often inhabit disturbed areas ( Prosopis juliflora, Heliotropium bacciferum-Tamarix arabica-Prosopis juliflora-Pulicaria crispa, Ziziphus spinsa-christi-Lagonychium farctum-Alhagi maurorum-Cynodon dactylon, Salsola imbricataand Bassia eriophoria-Chloris virgata-Zygophyllum coccineum-Seidlitzia rosmarinus). Many of these groups have low species cover and relatively high species diversity. The effects of environmental factors and human impact on species diversity and abundance of these communities were assessed.
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