Public Values Regarding an Urban Mangrove Wetland in the United Arab Emirates

Assaf, Hamed; Idwan, Sahar; Jallad, Abdul-Halim; Ammari, Madiha Z. J.; Chaar, Aktham Al; Kouja, Mahmoud

doi:10.3846/jeelm.2022.16333

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 34 publications

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“…In the UAE it has been determined that the most vulnerable ecosystems to climate change are water, coastal, marine, and dryland ecosystems, in addition to sectors such as building and infrastructure; agriculture and food security, and public health [85]. It is also suggested that the mangroves in the Arabian Gulf will be threatened by changes such as the decrease in rainfall due to climate change [86]. There is still limited data supporting the potential consequences of climate change on the UAE's wetlands, making this study an important baseline for future studies.…”

Section: Management Of the Reservementioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment and Management of the Water Quality and Heavy-Metal Pollution of a Protected Hypersaline Wetland in the United Arab Emirates

Samara,

Knuteson,

Abdulateef

et al. 2023

Water

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A hypersaline protected wetland in the UAE was assessed from February to April of 2021 for parameters such as temperature, pH, COD, total dissolved solids, ORP, electrical conductivity, total and E. coli, salinity, turbidity, chloride, ammonia, nitrate, total nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals to assess its current status. Wasit Nature Reserve’s salinity values ranged between 17.1 and 64.78 psu, while D.O values ranged between 6.3 and 8.41 ppm. The values for nitrate were between 50.70 and 57.6 ppm, while the values for chloride were between 12,642.0 and 37,244.0 ppm. Results for heavy metals showed that Iron and Aluminum were the highest concentrations in sediments, with an average of 5599.3 mg/kg and 3171.1 mg/kg, respectively. Mercury and arsenic reported the lowest concentrations, with an average of 0.0 mg/kg and 2.4 mg/kg, respectively. Hazard quotient values were 2239.72 mg/kg for iron, 0 mg/kg for mercury, and 0.05 mg/kg for arsenic, indicating that iron levels are considered hazardous and water-quality indicators concluded high pollution levels. The results indicate that the hypersaline nature of the wetland contributes to the deviation from the permissible limits, as demonstrated by the calculated “poor“water-quality index and “highly polluted” water-pollution index. Due to their ecological relevance, wetlands in the region could serve as indicators of ecological well-being, highlighting the need for regular monitoring and evaluation.

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Section: Management Of the Reservementioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment and Management of the Water Quality and Heavy-Metal Pollution of a Protected Hypersaline Wetland in the United Arab Emirates

Samara,

Knuteson,

Abdulateef

et al. 2023

Water

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Mangrove Ecosystems of the United Arab Emirates

Friis,

Killilea

2023

A Natural History of the Emirates

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Gray mangroves (Avicennia marina) represent the only evergreen forests of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where they occur at the northern edge of the species’ range and are subject to extreme environmental conditions. Mangroves occur both throughout the western and eastern coasts of the seven Emirates, either in natural or restored populations. They act as ecosystem engineers, creating a habitat that is exploited by a wide variety of organisms, including species of conservation concern. As the only mangrove species of the Arabian Gulf, the gray mangroves represent a relevant asset for local communities. They provide numerous ecosystem services of cultural and socioeconomic importance, from their aesthetics and recreational uses in urban spaces to their role as carbon sinks or nursery habitats for species targeted for commercial fishing. Thanks to successful afforestation programs, the UAE mangroves are experiencing a steady recovery after severe cover losses resulting from the intense urban development that followed the 1970s oil boom, and nowadays they represent more than half of the total mangrove cover in the Arabian Gulf. However, national mangrove forests still face considerable threats derived from human activities. Active, long-term policies and management will be needed to ensure the survivorship of these critical ecosystems.

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