WATCH: Red List of threatened ecosystems in UAE capital Abu Dhabi issued

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi has successfully completed an assessment of all terrestrial and marine ecosystems and listed 12 threatened ecosystems in the emirate.

The Abu Dhabi Ecosystem Red List follows the standards set by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and among 12 threatened ecosystems, it reveals 2 critically endangered, 5 endangered and 5 vulnerable ecosystems. The assessment, carried out by the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency, is believed to be the first of its kind for the ecosystem in the region.

Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, said: “The Abu Dhabi Red List of Ecosystems is a great example of working with global partners to develop and promote the IUCN program and its knowledge products. The Abu Dhabi Red List of Ecosystems will be Prioritizing threatened ecosystems into our plan to expand our network of protected areas supports our efforts to effectively protect threatened habitats and ecosystems across the emirate. This will further strengthen our efforts to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change, especially as the UAE prepares In the event of hosting COP28 later this year.”

“This list is crucial to the development of the emirate of Abu Dhabi as it will help in urban planning, land use and infrastructure projects. We will help encourage Abu Dhabi without compromising environmental protection and ecosystem protection. Compared to the development.”

The Red List of Abu Dhabi Ecosystems will be published as an IUCN document and will be disseminated globally.

IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organization, with members and volunteers in 185 countries. Its six committees focus on driving change through education and communication, as well as learning and knowledge development around the status and threats of species. EAD is one of IUCN’s strategic partners and joined as a full member in 2013. In 2020, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment also represented the UAE in joining the IUCN.

A total of 16 terrestrial and marine ecosystems were assessed, of which 12 were classified as threatened. There is no collapsing ecosystem in the Emirates. Mountains and river valleys, coastal plains, mangroves, salt marshes and coral reef ecosystems are the most threatened ecosystems in the emirate. Many of these ecosystems are already covered by EAD-managed protected area networks.

“Abu Dhabi’s diverse species and ecosystems face multiple threats, including development, pollution, and climate change. The Abu Dhabi Ecosystem Red List will develop an understanding of the risks faced by each ecosystem, enabling EAD to effectively establish A representative network of protected areas. The list is not only the first in the region, but also the first of its kind to include desert ecosystems and apply the assessment criteria to man-made ecosystems,” said EAD Land and Ahmed Al Hashmi, Executive Director of Marine Biodiversity said. .

“[The assessment] It was an important learning experience for the EAD team, especially working with experts from IUCN and Provita to develop a conceptual model of ecosystem function and threat identification. It helps identify data gaps in our understanding and further emphasizes the need for long-term time-series data on processes and interactions. Together with the Abu Dhabi Red List of Species, ecosystem assessments provide a good understanding of the state of our species and ecosystems, and the need for conservation interventions. “

EAD manages a network of 20 protected areas in Abu Dhabi that protect the emirate’s biodiversity, especially threatened species and ecosystems. The establishment of these areas is linked to extensive monitoring of species and habitats and programs to restore and restore plant and animal species.

EAD has also successfully restored the natural habitats of important plant species such as Al Sarh, Ghaf and Samar trees to ensure they remain part of Abu Dhabi’s landscape and cultural heritage. Several threatened species are also thriving, including the Arabian oryx, dugong and sea turtles. In addition, Abu Dhabi has received international recognition for its efforts to restore mangroves and coral reefs and protect marine biodiversity, being included in the United Nations Decade of Recovery’s top 10 groundbreaking restoration efforts globally.