P.O.Box 29922, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
At first glance the Arabian Peninsula may appear to be a barren wasteland, more famous for the outrageous developments which have been constructed here in the last few decades. But the truth is that the deserts and mountains of the Peninsula are home to a wide variety of highly specialised plants and animals, in addition to being an important stopover for hundreds of migrating species.
Of concern to conservationists throughout the region is the high percentage of threatened species found in Arabia. During our annual Conservation Workshop for the Fauna of Arabia, specialist from around the region have accessed the status of several groups of species.(for example 75% of all indigenous carnivores and all ungulates are considered to threatened), this is especially worrying considering the high rate of endemism.
Population densities of species living on the Arabian Peninsula were always likely to be low due to the harsh environment but the rate of development and other human related impacts have increased the pressure on many species and as a result they are no longer able to cope.