AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi is turning mangrove restoration into a science-led operation, using ecological data, hydrological studies, native species selection and drone-assisted planting to expand one of its most effective natural defences against climate change.
Dr Hind Mohsen Omar Al Ameri, Section Head of Marine Biodiversity Assessment and Conservation at the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), said that the emirate's approach has moved well beyond conventional planting and now focuses on restoring coastal ecosystems through a carefully planned model built around long-term environmental performance.
The UAE's restoration work, she explained, combines field research with advanced technology to ensure mangroves are planted where they can survive, grow and deliver the greatest environmental return.
"Science-based mangrove restoration in the UAE is a sophisticated operation that blends ecological data with cutting-edge technology," Dr Al Ameri told Aletihad.
"With its National Carbon Sequestration Project, the UAE has gone beyond planting to a holistic ecosystem approach."
That approach includes hydrological restoration, the use of native species, drone-assisted precision seeding and advanced nurseries that prepare seedlings for local conditions.
According to Dr Al Ameri, the aim is not simply to add more trees, but to restore habitats in a way that is both targeted and durable.
"Modern restoration focuses on ensuring the right tree is in the right place for the right reason," she said, adding that EAD's innovative methods guarantee sustainable and planned rehabilitation.
The scale of that work is growing. Drone-supported planting has already been deployed across an estimated 800 hectares in Abu Dhabi, helping mangrove habitats expand more efficiently across suitable coastal areas.
The UAE's 'Green Lungs'
Mangroves sit at the centre of a much wider blue carbon network in Abu Dhabi that also includes salt marshes, seagrass beds and tidal flats.
Dr Al Ameri pointed out that these interlinked ecosystems are central to both environmental health and human wellbeing because they support fisheries, improve water quality, protect coastlines and sustain biodiversity.
"These habitats function as powerful nature-based solutions to climate change. They maintain fisheries, enhance water quality, safeguard coastlines, and promote rich biodiversity."
Together, Abu Dhabi's blue carbon ecosystems are estimated to store 41 million tonnes of carbon, equal to the annual emissions of more than 8.9 million cars, giving them an important place in the UAE's wider climate agenda.
Dr Al Ameri described mangroves as the UAE's "green lungs" with an exceptionally high climate value - they can trap carbon four to five times more efficiently than tropical rainforests, making them one of the country's strongest natural carbon sinks.
In Abu Dhabi alone, she added, mangroves are thought to absorb at least 8,800 tonnes of carbon each year, with about 3 million tonnes absorbed already.
The emirate has the largest mangrove coverage in the UAE, with more than 176 square kilometres. About 111 square kilometres are natural mangroves, while another 65 square kilometres have been added through plantation and restoration programmes.
According to Dr Al Ameri, Abu Dhabi's mangrove cover grew by 92% between 1987 and 2021 - the result of decades of sustained work and collaborative efforts between EAD and other local entities.
Geographically, mangroves are concentrated along the emirate's eastern coastline in sheltered lagoons and intertidal zones. The UAE's first restoration project began near the Eastern Corniche, and planting has since spread to other suitable coastal areas, especially those close to established mangrove stands.
Dr Al Ameri said that the case for expanding similar programmes across the UAE is not limited to carbon storage. Expanding restoration efforts across the country would strengthen biodiversity, improve climate resilience and support the UAE's net-zero goals, with Abu Dhabi's model showing how data, planning and technology can turn coastal conservation into a practical climate tool.
"Mangroves are vital coastal ecosystems, not just trees - they store carbon, prevent erosion along shorelines, enhance water quality, and serve as habitats for numerous species," she explained.
"They are regarded as an essential component of the country's infrastructure and are handled with equal seriousness."