Mapping Environmental Sensitivity in Saudi Arabia’s Arid Zones Using GIS and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis

Managing the interplay between economic growth and nature conservation to achieve future sustainability is an arduous task, especially with the inevitable threats posed by increasing anthropogenic pressures to the fragile ecological systems. The conventional ways of habitat conservation, such as baseline measurements serving as a reference for policy-makers, are often lengthy, tedious, and an expensive operation requiring high manpower to yield superior outcomes. In this study, we introduced a novel decision-making spatial mapping tool with the aim of reducing the potential exposure of ecologically sensitive habitats from human impacts. We developed the Terrestrial Environmental Sensitivity Index Map (TESIM) focused on Saudi Arabia by employing a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) framework, specifically the Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) method. Biodiversity and cultural heritage indicators—including protected areas, endangered plants, migratory bird sites, reptiles, mammals, amphibians, turtles, springs, and archaeological sites—were integrated into a weighted overlay model. Our results revealed spatial variations in ecological sensitivity, with the southwestern highlands, Red Sea coast, and Arabian Gulf coastal zones emerging as biodiversity hotspots. Our study concluded that TESIM presents a proactive decision-support tool for environmental management and biodiversity conservation. Policy recommendations include integration of TESIM into national risk platforms, support for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), and future expansion to marine-terrestrial interfaces.