Unveiling the Hidden Value of Ecosystem Services in Wadi Landscapes: A Case Study in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Wadis, dry rivers common in arid regions, deliver diverse ecosystem services (ES) despite their short-lived water flow. This study aims to en-hance scientific understanding of relevant habitat types, the ES they provide, and their perceived significance to local people. It applies an adapted matrix method to assess habitat-level ES provision in Wadi Han-ifah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A panel of ten experts—landscape planners, engineers, and decision-makers—identified key habitat types using field surveys, satellite imagery, and planning document review. Experts then evaluated each habitat’s capacity to provide four ES: habitat provision for flora and fauna, recreation and mental/physical health benefits, local climate regulation, and flood mitigation. Results reveal clear differenc-es in ES provision across habitats, with natural gravel plains with Aca-cia trees and bushland receiving the highest overall scores, while more disturbed habitats score lower. The findings demonstrate the value of integrating expert knowledge into spatial planning and provide a repli-cable framework for ES assessment in under-researched wadi systems. This approach supports more sustainable landscape management and policy-making in rapidly urbanizing arid environments.