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| A comprehensive
guide
to current and future events and exhibitions in
the UAE |
|
Valuable concise reference source on the UAE,
covering political system, economy, business, history and
heritage,
education, women, healthcare, tourism and environment. |
|
|
Natural history of the UAE,
covering all animals and plants recorded in the
Emirates. |
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Report by National US Arab Chamber of Commerce on the
UAE. Vol XV, No 3, June 2007. Includes analysis of UAE economy. |
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NATURE
General information
UAE wildlife on-line tour
Key animals
Captive breeding
of rare breeds
Watching whales and
dolphins in the UAE
Scorpions and snakes
The coasts
Desert
The Mountains
Ornithological importance
of UAE
Environmental agencies
Fossil hunting
Return to Travel Centre - Main Index
THE COASTS
The Arabian Gulf coast and the East Coast area bordering the Gulf of Oman
are home to important coral reef and mangrove communities, internationally
significant island seabird colonies, large numbers of migratory waterbirds,
and provide a nesting and feeding ground for turtles, dugongs, whales
and dolphins.
The western Arabian Gulf coast, edged by salt-marsh and mud-flats and
washed by a blue-green shallow sea, has some magnificent stands of mature
mangroves, valuable havens for birds and spawning and nursery grounds
for a large variety of fish. One of the finest area of mangrove is in
the Eastern Lagoon
of Abu Dhabi, other important stands are on
the islands of Ras Ghanadah, Abu
al-Abyadh and Marawah.
Further north, there is a particularly good area of mangrove in Ra’s
al-Khaimah, north of the village of Rams, inland
of the long island of Hulaylah. Another truly remarkable mangrove stand
is at Khor
Kalba on the east-facing coast, home to two
rare bird species, the booted warbler and a unique race of white-collared
kingfisher. Other bird species commonly found in mangroves are little
bittern, grey heron and moorhen.
Numerous offshore islands, many of them private, ranging from the massive
Abu al-Abyadh to tiny islets are a haven for seabirds. Huge numbers of
migrant waders feed on extensive mudflats at Abu
al-Abyadh,
which also supports the largest breeding colony of crab plovers in the
Arabian Gulf. Afforestation on the island of Sir
Bani Yas, combined with several artificial lakes supports a large
population of ducks, geese, swans and other birds whilst flocks of flamingos
stalk the sandbanks.
Abu Dhabi’s islands also support internationally important populations
of five species of tern, Saunders’ little, white-cheeked, swift,
lesser crested and bridled. Other internationally important breeding seabirds
include the sooty gull and the beautiful red-billed tropicbird. Magnificent
ospreys breed on many of the islands, however one of the most spectacular
sights is the massive flocks of Socotra cormorants which wheel through
the sky hunting for fish. This is a globally endangered species which
breeds on a handful of islands in the Arabian Gulf (notably Sinaiya in
Umm
al-Qaiwain) and off Oman.
Around the island of Marawah, Butinah and Bazam Al Gharbi, extensive seagrass
beds amongst the coral reefs support a large population of green turtles,
as well as dugongs or sea cows, a globally endangered species. The area known as 'Bu al Siaief', including Futaisi island, Dheisah, Qarqashan and the surrounding waters was declared a protected marine reserve in 2007, to be managed by EAD. The many
khors or inlets along the coastline support sizeable populations of wintering
and passage wading birds. Khor Dubai, which attracts significant numbers
of waders, herons wildfowl and flamingo, is under the protection of the
Environmental Protection Section of Dubai Municapility.
For further information on UAE coastal birds CLICK
HERE
Statutory protection has been granted to three marine reserves in the
Emirate of Fujairah: at Al Faqit, Dhadnah and Al Aqqa, in order to protect
valuable coral reef communities. Here fishing and coral or shell collecting
are prohibited. Dubai and Fujairah are also pioneering the creation of
artificial reefs, which foster coral growth and help to promote ecotourism.
Even if you never venture in to the water, most of the UAE’s coast
is lined with gently-sloping sandy beaches, offering hours of interesting
and quite unique beach-combing. However, under no circumstances should
you collect live shells as you may take something rare or endangered or
pick up a species that is dangerous, like the venomous cone shells.
For our Natural Emirates Tour CLICK
HERE
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