RIYADH: In the heart of the Kingdom’s deserts, an invisible yet dedicated army is quietly protecting plants, improving soil, and supporting the ecological balance.

While Saudi Arabia is commonly known for its arid landscapes, it is also home to various insect species that play an essential role in environmental protection.

As the country moves forward with its green agenda and continues to support it with sustainable initiatives, understanding the science and benefits of insects becomes critical to achieving these objectives.

One of the sustainability initiatives took place last summer when the National Center for Wildlife launched its “Decade Land Expedition to Explore Terrestrial Ecosystems.”

The NCW’s initiative is a comprehensive research mission for terrestrial ecosystems, to document the biodiversity, density and distribution of wildlife, with local and international experts and researchers.