UAE biodiversity study looks at protection

The emirate's plants, mangroves and animals are to be studied to get a clearer picture of the environment and how to protect it for the future. The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) launched the survey Monday designed to monitor biodiversity, and habitats in the emirate. This survey will provide a comprehensive inventory of Abu Dhabi's terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystems. "This project will provide a thorough understanding of the environment including plants, animals and mangroves... which is necessary in implementing framing policies and regulations and assessing their effectiveness," Dr Richard Perry, executive director of the environmental information science and outreach management at EAD, told Gulf News. "It will take two years to provide a comprehensive picture of the environment in a wide coverage of 55,000km. We will physically collect new data which will take around three to four months. Once this stage is completed, we will begin detailed survey work which we expect to start after Ramadan," he added. The research, which will begin in the Western Region, will provide a clear understanding of the environmental changes and the interference of both humans and invasive species that are impacting the distribution and abundance of native species. ‘Priorities' Survey findings will be crucial in guiding conservation at EAD and the overall conservation community including universities and other government agencies. "As the environmental regulator in Abu Dhabi, one of our priorities is to conserve our biodiversity. We do this through science and research. Determining the extent of species diversity in our emirate is an important part of successfully managing and preserving our natural heritage for the future. This survey will help EAD to better develop protection and conservation regimes, as well as assist Abu Dhabi's leadership in sustainable land-use decision-making," said Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, secretary general of EAD. The survey is to be carried out by EAD specialists and will involve members of the community including local pupils, university students, emiratis from the western region, members of the public and various regional natural history groups. Participants will undergo training by EAD before stepping out into the field. "People are often surprised that the UAE — which is comparably smaller than many other countries and which is characterised by a harsh arid desert environment — has such a wide variety of plants and animals. The UAE's habitats range from sub-tidal environments, to sand dunes and mountains. Many, of these, support important species like Hawksbill turtles, dugongs, desert-eagle owls and Blandford's Fox," said Thabit Al Abdessalaam from EAD.