abu dhabi —
Mangrove trees may look strange with their dense roots and waxy leaves, but don’t let looks fool you. These plants are truly magical.
There are more than 50 species of “true” mangrove trees and shrubs known to grow in the intertidal zone of coastlines in tropical and subtropical climates. Their unique appearance is thanks to a variety of adaptations in their roots and leaves that allow them to withstand conditions such as high-salinity seawater, low-oxygen mud, and constantly changing tidal currents.
“Mangroves are beneficial in so many ways,” Dr. Amna Al-Mansoori, a marine scientist at Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD), told CNN. “I love mangroves!”
Al-Mansouri is not alone in his affinity for these plants.
Mangroves support the wildlife that lives around them, including at least 340 endangered species around the world, and serve as habitat for everything from manatees to monkeys. It also serves as a food source, as the leaves fall into the surrounding sediment and decompose to form nutrient-rich organic matter that feeds a variety of wildlife.
Barrier trees protect coastal areas from the effects of storms and floods by slowing wave surge and acting as a buffer to reduce the height of storm surges before water reaches land. Their roots stabilize surrounding soil deposits, building up the ground and preventing coastal erosion.
Mangroves are also one of the most effective carbon sinks, able to absorb and store more than four times more carbon dioxide than the average terrestrial forest. According to the Mangrove Alliance, trees are responsible for storing 21 billion tons of carbon dioxide worldwide, which can last for thousands of years.
“From a climate perspective,” Al-Mansoori said. “I think mangroves are heroes.”
Mangroves first became a priority in Abu Dhabi in the late 1960s, just before the oil boom era that ushered in a period of rapid urbanization in Abu Dhabi. Coastal development has led to the disappearance of mangrove forests across the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan initiated parallel restoration and reforestation programs, making Abu Dhabi a pioneer in mangrove conservation.
The United Nations Environment Program estimates that the world’s mangroves declined by 35% between 1980 and 2000, and the rate of decline decreased by 44% between 2000 and 2020, according to the Mangrove Alliance. In contrast, mangrove forests in Abu Dhabi increased by 92% between 1987 and 2022. These days, “we see thick forests. From 3,000 hectares to now 17,600 hectares,” al-Mansouri said.
The Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative (ADMI) describes its conservation efforts as “science-based restoration” that leverages data, scientific mapping and monitoring to inform its conservation efforts. The UAE is working towards its goal of planting 100 million mangrove trees by 2030. In 2023 alone, ADMI distributed more than 6 million mangrove seeds across Abu Dhabi using specially modified drones.
The initiative’s custom-built drones will reduce the impact of manual tree planting, which requires sending large numbers of people into sensitive natural areas and risks disrupting ecosystems. Drones can travel long distances and access remote areas that ADMI research has determined are most suitable for planting. Each drone can carry around 6,000 seeds, which are then dispersed into the tidal mud to germinate and bring new mangroves to life.
Mangroves may act as a force against climate change, but they are at risk from the effects of global warming. Global Mangrove Watch says the number of mangroves has increased slightly over the past decade as conservation efforts intensify. However, some countries, such as Myanmar, Indonesia and Nigeria, have experienced net declines since the beginning of the decade. For these countries, the loss of mangrove forests threatens the supply of food, shelter, and life for people living near the coast.
In Abu Dhabi, mangrove forests remain classified as endangered, despite an overall increase in coverage due to threats posed by climate change. One of the most serious threats is sea level rise.
“More water can suffocate them, but less water means they can’t grow,” Al-Mansoori explained. If sea levels rise faster than the height of the sediment on which mangroves grow, the plants can be submerged.
For ADMI, protecting and restoring existing mangroves is a top priority. The recently launched Mangrove Hydrological Restoration Project wants to study the optimal water flow for mangrove health and the hydrological conditions needed for long-term recovery of degraded mangroves.
For Al-Mansoori, expanding mangrove cover is critical with the long-term health and conservation of the mangroves in mind.
“We want to expand coverage, but we want to expand in a healthy way,” she said. “So that we can see them flourish, not only for biodiversity (but) but also for humanity and climate change.”
