Researchers at the University of Sharjah warn that mangroves in the region’s littoral states remain vulnerable to development and pollution despite the relative success of a few restoration schemes in places like the UAE.
“While specific total loss figures vary by study period, the region faces severe threats, especially from coastal development and pollution, despite successful restoration projects in places like Abu Dhabi,” the authors note in a study published in the journal Regional Studies in Marine Science.
The research reviews existing literature on mangroves in West Asia in general, with a particular focus on the Arabian Gulf’s littoral states viz., Saudi Arabia, Iran, Oman, Yemen, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE.
In the Arabian Gulf, the situation is equally concerning. A recent assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies mangrove ecosystems as vulnerable, noting a 14.3% decline in total mangrove area since 1996. If current trends continue, the region’s mangrove coverage is projected to shrink by an additional 45% over the next 50 years, according to the report.
The harsh environmental conditions in the Arabian Gulf’s coastal states have limited the tree’s diversity to just two species - Avicennia marina (gray mangrove) and Rhizophora mucronata (red mangrove), with the former being more widespread and dominant.
“The gray mangrove (Avicennia marina) is integral to coastal life in the arid Arab region,” the study explains. “It can thrive in extreme conditions such as high salinity, scorching temperatures and drought. As a result, it supports a rich web of marine and terrestrial species and offers a natural shield against coastal erosion and storm surges. Its intricate root systems stabilise shorelines and help protect the coastal areas from the impacts of rising sea levels.
mangrove habitats across West Asia have suffered loss and degradation. Studies and UN reports indicate a net loss of 272 square kilometers – approximately 48.8% from 1980 to 2020, driven largely by urbanization, oil industry activities and aquaculture.
The UAE hosts the region’s largest mangrove habitat, covering an area of about 183 square kilometers. Despite ambitious preservation initiatives, the country experienced habitat loss, primarily due to coastal development, dredging, rising sea levels, pollution and land reclamation for artificial islands. Encouragingly, large-scale restoration projects are reversing some of this decline.
Other Gulf nations have faced similar challenges. Estimates suggest mangrove habitat reductions of over 50% in Saudi Arabia and around 44% in Iran, the two countries with the next largest coverage. “Preserving this species and the vital services it provides requires integrated conservation strategies that combine ecological science, traditional knowledge, and community stewardship,” the authors emphasise..
Arabian Gulf countries are increasingly leveraging the ecological and economic benefits of their mangrove forests. While the primary goal remains to enhance biodiversity, safeguard ecosystems and strengthen coastline defenses, nations such as the UAE are transforming these habitats into sustainable economic ventures.
The authors, drawing on established scientific research, assert that Avicennia marina continues to face escalating threats from urban expansion, industrial growth, climate change, overharvesting and the influence of fossil fuel activities.
To safeguard this species, which constitutes the majority of the region’s mangroves, the researchers propose a suite of conservation strategies that aim to “bridge ecological science, traditional knowledge and community stewardship.” They also call for further phytochemical research to explore the tree’s pharmaceutical potential and create economic incentives that align conservation with development goals.
In conclusion, the authors emphasise that mangroves in the Arabian Gulf represent not only a unique and resilient species but also a strategic entry point for advancing sustainability in the region. Mangroves in the Arabian Gulf, they write, are “a powerful entry point for advancing sustainability. [Their] protection requires a coordinated, interdisciplinary approach that is locally rooted, scientifically informed, and policy supported.”
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