climate change on UAE - Stockholm Environment Institute-US Center

Figure ‎3‐2. Mangroves around Abu Dhabi, (E.A. data layer.)
and erosion, but storms could mean damage to
the system and subsequent irreversible coastal
erosion.
3.3. Seagrass
Seagrass ecosystems have huge ecological
importance for coastal areas of the Emirates.
Seagrasses predominate coastal shallow water
habitats of water depths less than 10 meters. The
majority of the UAE coastline, along the shallow
Arabian Sea, meets this criterion. Seagrasses
provide a stable coastal habitat, improve coastal
water quality, and support fisheries production
making them one of the most valuable marine
resources and ecosystems (Bell and Pollard,
1989; Bostrom and Mattila, 1999; Heck and
Orth, 1980; Heck et al., 1989, 1995; Orth et al.,
1984; Thayer et al., 1979). The importance of
the seagrass systems in Abu Dhabi lies not only
in the direct food value to wildlife such as the
dugong and green turtle, but also in its value
as a habitat for the growth of both commercial
and non-commercial fish and invertebrates,
and especially as a refuge from predators for
juvenile fish (ADEA, 2006).
The very high growth rate and primary
production of seagrasses also leads to extremely
high biodiversity (both plants and animals)
as well as facilitates major nutrient recycling
pathways for both inshore and offshore
habitats. The perennial habitat maintains local
biodiversity and serves as a foundation for
complex food chains because of its high rate
of primary productivity and high leaf densities.
Seagrass detritus also contributes nutrients and
energy to sabkha substrate, contributing to the
development of storm-berms at seaward edges
and supporting halophytic fauna and flora.
Halophytic root systems then help stabilize the
Sabkha substrate which minimizes the effect of
wind erosions and retains water in coastal soils
(Phillips, 2002).
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Climate Change Impacts, Vulnerability & Adaptation