Requirements for Standard Ecological Survey Procedures in the MENA Region

Countries in the Middle East and North Africa region house a variety of ecosystems from the dense pine woodland of the Algerian coast to the extremely sparsely vegetated desert of Oman. Although cataloguing of flora and fauna in certain areas has been meticulously detailed, standard techniques for rapid assessment across the variety of habitats has not yet been established. Such techniques are crucial for sustainable development, as exemplified by Environmental Impact Assessment – a key goal of the Rio Earth Summit. This paper recommends a number of standard techniques based on size, ecotype and habitat/species of interest. Recommendations are then made on approaches to determine nature conservation value. This can then be used for development projects to inform mitigation requirements and environmental management plans.