In a first for Qatar, an encyclopedia featuring plant species in the country was launched recently.

Titled the ‘Encyclopedia of Native & Non-Native Plants in Eastern Arabia,’ the compilation serves as a comprehensive guide regarding the cultivation of various types of plants in Qatar’s desert terrain.

The encyclopedia was put together over a period of seven years after extensive field research, exploration of scientific publications.

It contains six volumes with some 2,500 pages and highlights plant details such as their conservation status, worldwide distribution, nativity to the region, lifespan, adaptability, cultivation and forms.

Other than shining a spotlight on the different uses of the plants, the encyclopedia is also of benefit for professionals in the fields of architecture, health, medicine and landscape engineering, among others.

The book was launched by The Gulf Organization for Research & Development (Gord) together with Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) during the eighth Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ).

Regarding the encyclopedia, founding chairman of Gord, Dr Yousef Alhorr, commented, “Just like tech exchange, knowledge transfer is crucial for sustainable agriculture. To this end, the 'Encyclopedia of Native & Non-Native Plants in Eastern Arabia' will guide agriculturists and engineers in responsible selection and optimum treatment of flora in the context of sustainable development."

#Infograhic
The Gulf Organization for Research & Development in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (Public Parks Department) launched the 1st encyclopedia of plants in Eastern Arabia to achieve sustainable agriculture. #AgriteQ_EnviroteQ2021 pic.twitter.com/zzAzW83kfI

— وزارة البلدية والبيئة | MME (@albaladiya) March 27, 2021

Director of the MME's Public Parks Department, Mohamed Ali Al Khoury, said, “The department has invested years of research and experiments to reach a level of documentation that serves as a legacy for generations to follow.”

“In this context, the 'Encyclopedia of Native & Non-Native Plants in Eastern Arabia' has emerged as an asset for professionals working in relevant fields. We congratulate Gord for taking the lead and successfully developing this pioneering work the benefits of which transcend a range of sectors,” he added.

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