EAD Plants 800,000 Mangrove Saplings along the Coast of Saadiyat and Jubail Islands
The project, which began in November 2009 and has just concluded, was launched with the aim of alleviating the effects of property development on the Islands' coastal habitats.
The planting project was developed by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) as a proactive plan for large-scale mangrove (Avicennia marina) plantation in and around Saadiyat Island and the nearby Island of Jubail. Both islands are undergoing widespread development which is affecting the naturally grown mangroves around the area; EAD's planting project is helping to reduce these effects, and mitigate the degradation and loss of habitat.
Thabit Al Abdessalaam, Director of Biodiversity Management Sector at EAD, said: "The primary objective of this project was to provide larger mangrove cover to Abu Dhabi's coastline by changing sparse patches of mangroves to more dense and increase mangrove cover, there by alleviating the impacts of coastal development." He added: "There exist several potential areas for mangrove plantation that will enhance the overall value of our coastal resources. The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is rapidly developing and coastal development is on the rise; EAD is being proactive by planting 800,000 mangrove saplings to preserve our emirate's fragile coastal biodiversity, and preserve a share of our heritage." Sometimes called the �rainforests of the sea', mangrove tree habitats are among the most productive and biologically important ecosystems. However, they are declining around the world, which could leave coastal communities vulnerable to natural disasters. Mangroves protect the beach from erosion caused by waves and ocean currents. They have provided sustenance (to species such as fish, shellfish, and crab), shelter (timber) and energy (fuel) to humans since ancient times. Until recently, poles made of mangrove wood- being tough and termite resistant- were extensively used as building material for the Arabian Peninsula.
Currently, mangrove cover in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is 72 square kilometers, including areas with sparse patches and plantation. Bu Tinah Island- a contender for the international 7 Wonders of Nature competition- is home to vibrant mangrove forests which are among the best-preserved in the world.
Abu Dhabi possesses extensive mangrove areas on its islands and coastal parts; some are natural while others are planted. Some of the Emirate's planted mangroves are over 20 years old and can be compared with well-grown natural mangroves. Despite the fact that mangrove forests are increasing in size across the Emirate, EAD has identified several sites that have been impacted by human activity and unsustainable development. As part of alleviation measures, EAD actively encourages developers to rehabilitate the affected areas by undertaking extensive mangrove plantation programmes, under EAD's supervision.
Saadiyat Island, the natural island whose total area spans 27 square kilometers, is expected to be transformed into a tourist and cultural international destination by the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) by the year 2020. The company is following an active mangrove rehabilitation planting plan that aims at protecting remaining natural mangroves and rehabilitating impacted mangrove habitats along the island's coastline. TDIC already has a large intertidal mangrove nursery along the island's eastern coast.
WAM/MN