rsg_book_2013

PlantsRhizophora mucronata an extinct mangrovespecies re-introduced to Ras Ghanada Island,Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates after 100 yearsNajamuddin Vistro*Mangrove Project Manager, Barari Forest Management, P. O. Box 113260,Abu Dhabi, UAE najamuddin_vistro @barari.ae(*Formerly Scientist, Mangrove Ecology in Environment Agency-ABU DHABIfrom 2000 - 2004)IntroductionMangroves are one of the most important ecosystems of UAE both ecologicallyand economically. They support a complex aquatic food web and provide aunique habitat for a variety of bird, marine fauna and have a high aesthetic valuefor developing eco-tourism. Mangroves are most important spawning areas forfish and shellfish. The presence of mangroves, act as a stabilization force toprotect coastline from the devastations of cyclones. Avicennia marina is the onlynative mangrove species growing in the UAE. Historical records suggest thatanother mangrove species, Rhizophra mucronata, once grew here. Due tovarious unknown reasons, this mangrove species became extinct about 100years ago. R. mucronata is included in the “IUCN Red List of ThreatenedSpecies” as a native mangrove of UAE.During the year 2001, Department of the President Affairs, Abu Dhabi (formerlyCrown Prince, Private Management Abu Dhabi) and Environment Agency AbuDhabi (EAD) initiated a jointcomprehensive research anddevelopment program to reviveback R. mucronata; an extinctnatural heritage mangrovespecies of the country at RasGhanada Island. Keeping inview the similarity of climaticconditions, propagules of R.mucronata were procured fromPakistan. In the first phase,various nursery researchstudies on survival and growthof seedlings were conducted.In the second phase,experimental field plantationswere established at RasGhanada Island. Theplantations were established inRhizophra mucronata plantation complete natural coastal252