Field and remote-sensing assessment of mangrove forests and seagrass beds in the northwestern part of the United Arab Emirates

Mangrove stands and seagrass beds grow along the coasts of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These marine plant species are concentrated in specific tidal zones along sheltered intertidal coastlines in association with estuaries and lagoons; mangroves fringe the coastline encroaching into the lower intertidal region, whereas seagrasses populate the adjacent deeper water. In most cases, the distribution of mangroves and seagrasses does not overlap. It is important to monitor the geographic extent and health of mangrove forests and seagrass beds, which serve as an important habitat for juvenile marine species. Remote-sensing data for the Khor Al Bazam area in the vicinity of Abu Dhabi, UAE, covering the years of 1994, 2000, and 2003, were used to determine the change in mangrove and seagrass cover. Since 1994, there has been an increase in mangrove cover, likely because of plantation activity, the closure of nearby shipyards, and an increase in public awareness regarding mangrove preservation. Although more difficult to determine, a combination of remote sensing and ground-truthing indicates that the seagrass beds within the study area have likely increased in real extent over the same time period.