Today's Edition
Mays Ibrahim (ABU DHABI)
In the fight to safeguard coral reefs from rising threats, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is leading the way with cutting-edge AI technology, aimed at bolstering reef resilience through significantly improving monitoring capabilities.
Coral reefs serve as vital habitats, breeding grounds, and food sources for diverse marine species in Abu Dhabi. In a recent statement to Aletihad, EAD explained how technological advancements revolutionised its conservation efforts for these underwater ecosystems.
EAD utilises a state-of-the-art digital platform that employs machine learning to analyse coral reef images.
“By simply uploading survey photos, its AI capabilities employ facial recognition technology to scrutinise approximately seven million parameters related to coral colour, shape, and size. This innovative tool not only discerns coral types but also tracks reef dynamics, enabling swift and informed decision-making,” it stated.
This technology ultimately plays a pivotal role in bolstering the resilience of coral reefs worldwide by offering timely insights into their evolving conditions, according to EAD.
Conservation Initiatives
Abu Dhabi’s coral reefs face significant threats, including climate change, pollution, overfishing, coastal development, tourism pressure, dredging and landfilling.
EAD has a robust understanding of the status of local coral reefs, informed by an ongoing long-term coral monitoring programme that was established in 2005. Providing data on health, status and coral reef coverage in Abu Dhabi, the programme has allowed the Agency to put in place a number of initiatives supporting these habitats.
One such initiative is coral monitoring, which involves seasonal surveys to track changes in coral health, status, and coverage. These surveys also monitor and document bleaching events and coral recovery, helping understand the impact of climate change on local corals.
Marine Protected Areas have been established to safeguard these vital habitats, incorporating many significant reefs within their boundaries. The Abu Dhabi Red List of Ecosystems, which lists coral reefs as endangered, led EAD to undertake a threat assessment in collaboration with the IUCN. This assessment has provided essential input for prioritising management plans and public policies to conserve biodiversity and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources in Abu Dhabi.
Additionally, EAD has developed a Coral Management Plan in coordination with local partners, with the aim of understanding and researching coral reef ecosystems, mitigating negative impacts, and restoring degraded reefs. Notably, EAD is cooperating with Nawah Company and academic institutions such as New York University Abu Dhabi Zayed University on coral reef research.
EAD has also launched the largest coral reef rehabilitation project in the region, establishing a coral nursery focused on producing and restoring 1 million coral fragments around degraded reefs. The rehabilitation project uses the hardiest corals in the area, enhancing habitat resilience.
A significant aspect of this effort is the coral nursery project, the largest and most ambitious coral restoration programme in the region. This initiative aims to produce and restore 1 million coral fragments around degraded reefs using the most resilient corals available to enhance habitat resilience.
“The local community can contribute to these efforts by engaging in education and awareness programmes, adopting sustainable practices, volunteering, and participating in clean-ups and citizen science projects. These combined efforts are essential for preserving the health and resilience of Abu Dhabi’s coral reefs,” EAD stated.
Why We Need Coral Reefs
EAD noted that coral reefs play a vital role in maintaining the health and balance of the marine environment in Abu Dhabi, fostering bio-diversity and supporting complex marine food webs. For example, the endangered Hawksbill turtle is predominantly found near coral reefs due to the foraging opportunities they provide.
These vital ecosystems also offer substantial socio-economic benefits to the region. They attract visitors from other parts of the world, boosting the local economy through recreational activities and tourism. Moreover, corals support fisheries by enhancing fish populations and acting as natural barriers against coastal erosion.
EAD further pointed out that protecting Abu Dhabi’s coral reefs is vital not only for the emirate, but for the global community. “The emirate’s corals can give the world an insight into a future where climate change issues are not tackled quickly enough, making it a Living Climate Change Lab and crucial for habitat adaptation and resilience worldwide.”
