About the project
The project’s primary focus in the UAE is to restore mangrove ecosystems in the Northern Emirates. Its goal is to plant 50,000 mangrove trees and regenerate associated coastal ecosystems while creating a platform for stakeholder and community engagement, expert collaboration, and civil society participation.
PROJECT’S ACTIVITIES & OBJECTIVES
- Implementation of a series of robust, holistic ecosystem-based approach restoration actions to enhance the functioning of mangrove ecosystems and associated habitats, including mangrove planting and interventions to optimise climate, biodiversity and community benefits to enable natural regeneration;
- Monitoring using remote sensing and field surveys to evaluate success;
- Work closely with public and private stakeholders and communities on the long-term management of the sites in order to create benefits to the local community;
- Raise public awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems.
Together, we can restore UAE’s mangroves and help our planet thrive.
What we have achieved so far
Why Mangroves?
By restoring and regenerating mangroves, the project provides a science-based approach which will ultimately contribute to the UAE’s national efforts on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Did you know: The UAE has the largest mangrove coverage in the region.
- Mangroves store up to 4 times more carbon than tropical forests.
- These Blue Carbon ecosystems can sequester and store carbon both within the plant as well as in the sediment and soil beneath them.
- By restoring mangroves to good health, we also restore our local biodiversity. Afterall, mangroves are home to endangered species of turtles, seabirds, sharks and rays.
- Society benefits from healthy mangroves as well.
- Mangroves help reverse the decline in fish stocks, improve water quality, contribute to our cultural identity and create opportunities for eco-tourism.
- Resilient coastal wetlands offer an added advantage of protecting our infrastructure from the negative impacts of climate change, like sea level rise and erosion.
We must sustain our mangroves, so they can sustain us. The time to act is now.
Our Approach
Emirates Nature-WWF’s goal is to see our mangroves and coastal habitats restored for the long-term.
- Our approach is rooted in science to maximise the long-term success of this project.
- Through inclusive conservation and close collaboration with stakeholders and communities, we aim to achieve environmental, economic and societal benefits for all.
- By raising public awareness about the importance of mangroves, the project will inspire civil society to play an active role in safeguarding these essential ecosystems.
- Science and experience sharing through workshops and publications to enhance science-backed mangrove planting, monitoring (using innovative dashboards) and restoration strategies, and establish a lasting legacy for the PPC initiative.
Powerful interactive dashboard were developed by Emirates Nature-WWF and presented to the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD); the dashboard helps monitor the overall health of mangroves restored across the sites as part of PPC, revolutionizing how we track and report on mangrove restoration efforts across the Emirates.
Powerful interactive dashboard were developed by Emirates Nature-WWF and presented to the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD); the dashboard helps monitor the overall health of mangroves restored across the sites as part of PPC, revolutionizing how we track and report on mangrove restoration efforts across the Emirates.
