Mangroves are growing again after 100 years

The plantations are surviving in natural conditions and have even begun flowering.

Mubarak Saad Al Ahbabi, Director of Department of Presidential Affairs, said, 'The Gulf has a strong historical linkage with Al Qurm (mangroves). They are unique and precious ecosystems in the UAE, representing extremes in both environmental and geographical distribution of mangroves on the global scale.'

Rhizophora mucronata once existed in the UAE, but historical records indicate that the species probably became extinct due to over-exploitation.

Al Ahbabi said the department, in coordination with the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD), had initiated a Mangrove Ecosystem Research and Development Project to develop an appropriate nursery and plantation techniques to reintroduce rhizophora mucronata, a lost natural heritage mangrove species, back into the waters of the UAE.

He added that rhizophora mucronata seeds were procured from Pakistan with the aim of initiating a comprehensive research and development programme, which would result in the development of appropriate nursery and plantation techniques at Ras Ghanada island and other locations.

Today, this lost natural heritage mangrove species is once again growing vigorously. The species has completely adopted the local natural environmental conditions, withstanding high seawater salinity (+45000 ppm) and high temperatures.

The more encouraging story about the reintroduction is the fact that the plants have 'flowered'.

Ecologically, mangroves are of high importance for coastal greening, coastline protection and habitat restoration. They provide a sanctuary and breeding habitat for a variety of birds and marine fauna and have a high aesthetic value for developing eco-tourism, especially in the hyper-arid coastal areas where few trees can survive and flourish.

Mangroves are, therefore, the only sustainable tree species which are growing naturally after regeneration/plantation.

anwar@khaleejtimes.com