Mangroves Are Superheroes For UAE !!!!!
UAE’s particular environment – hot and dry- greatly limits the country’s biodiversity richness. Mangroves are UAE’s most biodiverse geographical feature given the desert eco system occupying 80% of the country’s area. Many desert countries like UAE have limited options when it comes to have sustainable forestation to offset carbon emissions and play its role in the global fight against climate change. With a relatively large coast line almost touching each of the Emirates in UAE, mangrove plantation becomes the obvious choice. If we plant one million mangroves, we will contribute to offset more than 200 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions which is equivalent to the size of approximately 600 football pitches.
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Here are the key reasons why mangroves are important and the environment related benefits they offer particularly in a country like UAE
Carbon Sequestration
Recent studies indicate that Mangroves can sequester up to three to four times more carbon than rain forests and that is why Mangroves are often called carbon sinks. They have the ability to store large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in their leaves, roots, and soil. In UAE, mangroves continues to be one of the largest contributor offsetting UAE carbon emissions.
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Coastal Protection
Mangroves provide natural coastal protection and help to reduce the impact of coastal erosion thus enhancing the resilience of coastal communities to climate change impacts. They act as buffers against storms and hurricanes by reducing wave energy and preventing coastal erosion and flooding. This is particularly important in the UAE, which is vulnerable to coastal erosion and extreme weather.
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Sea Levels
Mangroves play a critical role in helping stabilizing the soil, mitigating the effects of sea-level rise and maintaining integrity of coastal land. The dense network of roots and sediments in mangrove forests can trap and retain sediments, helping to build and raise the elevation of land over time. Since land reclamation and real estate development are common activities in UAE across all Emirates, Mangrove plantation and restoration becomes very vital for UAE.
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Bio Diversity
Mangroves support diverse ecosystems and harbor numerous plant and animal species. Preserving mangroves helps protect biodiversity, and diverse ecosystems are more resilient to climate change. In the UAE, mangroves provide critical habitat for species like the Arabian Gulf humpback dolphin, herons, and other migratory birds.
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Marine Life Support
The health of mangroves is closely linked to the health of adjacent coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs and seagrass beds. Mangroves act as nurseries and provide essential habitat for many marine species. When mangroves are intact and healthy, they support the overall resilience and productivity of coastal ecosystems, contributing to their ability to withstand climate-related stressors.
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Traditional and Cultural Value
With such a large coastline alongside each of the Emirates in UAE, Mangroves plantation has cultural and traditional significance for the local communities as these have been used for centuries for activities such as pearl diving, fishing, building materials etc.
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