The UAE, as a country, has many hidden treasures, such as the mangroves. Their function is carbon sequestration and not oxygen production. The type of mangroves found in the UAE is called Avicennia marina, and they are often found in the Gulf region. They chose this particular location due to its salty and subtropical shallow waters. In the past two decades, mangroves have faced immense threats as coastal development has rapidly increased in the UAE (Haseeba, 2025).
Fig 1. Map of the UAE with a layer of all mangroves present (MOCCAE, 2022).
The Vulnerability Problem
One of the main threats to UAE mangroves is the development of man-made islands. To create a man-made island, land reclamation is done by dredging. Dredging is done by deep excavating the target areas, which remove various sediments and create a thicker layer of habitable land reclamation. This process can kill young mangrove seeds. Mangrove roots are broken and accumulate on the water surface, which stops sunlight from reaching different marine species underwater in deeper depths (Paleologos et al., 2019).
Concerns about mangrove ecosystems have risen in the UAE due to coastal developments on Saadiyat Island and Lulu Island, both of which are located in Abu Dhabi. It was a reasonable cause of concern as land reclamation can alter tidal flows and sediment transport, which are vital for the health of mangroves.
Currently, there is limited mangrove monitoring as the UAE mainly thrives off of specific industries such as real estate, oil, and trading. With limited funding, scientists are less likely to research environmental topics that would have minimal impact. The lack of awareness also contributes to less citizen science being undertaken by civilians.
How current mangrove restoration methods are holding us back?
In the UAE, coastal soil disturbed by construction or pollution often becomes compacted, preventing water from seeping into the ground. This lack of water infiltration disrupts the waterlogged conditions that mangroves need to grow and thrive. Nutrients are also removed due to this, making it harder for natural regeneration to take place.
The UAE is known for taking mangrove restoration seriously. However, planting seeds does not always lead to success, especially when sites are selected without fully considering the necessary growing conditions. Even if most criteria are met, missing just one or two key factors—like tidal flow or soil salinity—can significantly affect mangrove survival, as these trees are highly sensitive to environmental changes.
For example, in a 2023 pilot project near Al Dhafra, thousands of mangrove seedlings were planted in a coastal zone that lacked consistent tidal flooding. Despite initial optimism, the survival rate dropped sharply within months, highlighting how poor site selection can lead to wasted resources and discourage future efforts.
Fig 2. GEEMMM map of mangroves in 2010 and 2020, Ras Al Khaimah, Killilea, M., & Burt, J. (2023).
Figure 2 shows how mangrove cover in the UAE has changed over the years, based on a 2023 study. However, accurately measuring mangrove areas has been difficult. Sometimes, nearby land vegetation was mistakenly counted as mangroves, or mangrove areas were reduced when land vegetation was removed. These issues make it challenging for scientists to identify the exact extent of mangrove cover.
How Mangrove Restoration is Improving
Remote Sensing
In the UAE’s new project to plant 50,000 mangrove seedlings, they will be using remote sensing to monitor progress. Dendra’s drone technology will be used by the Environmental Agency, as they have the means of accurately planting mangrove seeds using their automatic seed dispersal system. The drones are also equipped with AI, making it very useful for seed health tracking and monitoring disturbances for further research.
Site Specific
In Umm Al Quwain, a restoration project by Environmental Agency found that soil with more nutrition and clay were able to retain water from high tide and help mangrove seedlings to germinate. As a result, this location has become a model for selecting future restoration zones with similar soil profiles.
Long-Term Sustainability
Ecosystem recovery depends on long-term sustainability goals. In the UAE, nature-based solutions are being implemented in erosion-prone areas like Umm Al Quwain, Al Dhafrah, and Abu Dhabi’s Eastern Mangrove Lagoon, as outlined in the Mangrove Restoration Guidelines. Advanced technologies such as deep learning models like UNet++ are being studied to monitor mangrove growth and integrate this data into global climate platforms. This helps policymakers and environmental authorities track carbon sequestration and align restoration efforts with national carbon neutrality goals.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
Amid the golden shores of the UAE, mangroves rise as symbols of resilience and renewal. These coastal forests breathe life into the land—shielding it from erosion, nurturing marine biodiversity, and capturing carbon for a cleaner future. Restoring mangroves isn’t just planting trees; it’s planting hope. Every seed sown is a step toward harmony between nature and progress.
References
- Haseeba, K.P., Aboobacker, V.M., Vethamony, P. et al. Significance of Avicennia Marina in the Arabian Gulf Environment: A Review. Wetlands 45, 16 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-025-01899-8
- Source : Open Data – Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), 2022, Last Updated : 26/09/2022
- E K Paleologos et al 2019 IOP Conf. Ser .: Earth Environ. Sci. 344 012020 – (Coastal development and mangroves in Abu Dhabi, UAE)
- Killilea, M., & Burt, J. (2023). Mapping the Growth of Mangrove Forests in the United Arab Emirates from 2010 to 2020 (Policy Paper No. 67). Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research.
- ESRI, 2020- https://gis.moccae.gov.ae/server/rest/services/Biodiversity/Biodiversity1/FeatureServer
- Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Emirate Nature – WWF, 2024. EAD6735_MANGROVE-INITIATIVE-GUIDELINES_v10b.pdf
