AL Zorah, Ajman

AL Zorah, Ajman

About the Site

Al Zorah Natural Reserve in Ajman, United Arab Emirates, is a unique and vibrant ecosystem, renowned for its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes. This protected area, managed by spans over one million square meters, is a haven for nature enthusiasts and bird watchers. It's particularly famous for its mangroves, which are among the few remaining in the UAE, and provide a vital habitat for a diverse range of marine and bird life. The mangroves are home to the pink flamingo, which can be seen in large numbers during certain times of the year, along with over 50 other species of birds. This makes Al Zorah a popular spot for birdwatching.

About the Project

In Al Zorah Natural Reserve, 6,600 saplings were planted in 2023, which is equivalent to 0.9 ha.
The aim of the project in Al Zorah is to use a combination of planting and assisted natural regeneration by enhancing the hydrological flows in the area. The soils in the northern areas near the golf development were restructured and channelled to improve the flow of water into the upper intertidal areas to allow water to flush out highly saline waters and promote regeneration. Expanding the size of the current mangrove forest aims to promote carbon storage and increase biodiversity in an otherwise degraded area.

Field Activities

Baseline Surveys

The objective of this biodiversity survey was to collect data prior to our planting activities to be able to compare and understand the impact of additional mangroves on the environment.

Restoration

A total of 6,600 saplings were planted across the site on the 24th November. Saplings were planted in channeled intertidal areas next to existing mangroves. Several channels were created to pilot different designs to later expand across other areas in the reserve. We will be measuring the success of each unique design in the Spring before implementing a channel network and restore more areas next year.