Abstract:The aim of the study is to detect the changes in the natural woody vegetation (NWV) of rural areas of Yemen and analyze the patterns of these changes. Three villages around Sana'a city were selected. To detect the changes, satellite images of different dates (2004 and 2012) for each village were obtained from the Yemeni Center for Remote Sensing. The result showed an increase of 53%, 49% and 90% for Anagah, Dhbir Khairh and Bait Hambus respectively. The differences among years were significant using a paired-samples t test. The study declined the general consensus by experts who consider that land vegetation cover is declining. Identification of plants' species that exist in the area showed a low biodiversity of only 6 species where two Acacia species as well as the shrub Lycium shawii represent 95%. Furthermore, comparing NWV among the villages and within plots presented valuable information for plantation strategies such as selecting trees with regenerative criterion and seeding each barren land with some regenerative trees. The study also noted the possible negative influence of industrial expansion and signified the importance of developing land-use plans to protect the natural vegetation.