Work

Statistical study of the causes of acacia tree deterioration in the Ha’il region

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Acacia trees are vital to arid ecosystems, yet their decline in the Ha’il region of Saudi Arabia poses significant ecological and socio-economic concerns. This study employs a comprehensive statistical approach to identify the environmental and human-induced factors contributing to this deterioration. Data were collected from structured surveys, meteorological records, and satellite imagery. Analytical methods included descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, regression modeling, and chi-square automatic interaction detection (CHAID) classification. Results show that climate change—particularly increased temperatures and erratic rainfall—along with soil degradation, overgrazing, and urban expansion, are key drivers of acacia decline. Regression analysis revealed that drought severity (B = 3.721, p = 0.023) and urban growth (B = 3.365, p = 0.045) significantly predicted deterioration, explaining 17.5% of the variance (adjusted R 2 = 0.175). The CHAID model identified urban expansion and overgrazing as critical risk factors, with deterioration scores ranging from 47.1 to 70.1 across subgroups. The study recommends strengthened conservation policies, improved irrigation, expanded protected areas, and increased public awareness to support acacia restoration efforts.

Source: PeerJ

DOI: 10.7717/peerj.20067

Authors: Alanazi Talal Abdulrahman, Khudhayr A. Rashedi, Tariq S. Alshammari

Institution: University of Ha'il

Language: English

Topic: Plant Ecology and Soil Science

Subfield: Ecology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life on land, Climate action, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,395