'A hidden treasure': Scientists rally to protect the Gulf's overlooked seagrass meadows
Vital to dugongs, sea turtles, fish nurseries and carbon storage, seagrass meadows are among the ocean's most critical – and at the same time most overlooked – ecosystems. Yet, they are disappearing at alarming rates around the world. Scientists from across the region gathered in Abu Dhabi for the first Arabian Seagrass Workshop last week, aiming to change that narrative. Held at the Yas Seaworld Research and Rescue Centre, the event marks a major step forward in spotlighting the Gulf's underwater grasslands, and accelerating efforts to conserve and restore them. "Seagrass is a building block," Rob Yordi, general curator at the centre, told The National. "It's the food source and shelter for so many organisms -small fish, invertebrates, sea turtles, and of course – dugongs." The UAE is home to the worlds second largest population of dugong, with 3,000 living off the country's shores. A single dugong, Mr Yordi explained, can consume up to 40 kilograms of seagrass in a day. "So you need vast, healthy meadows. But, what we've seen over decades is decline. We are trying to figure out why – and how to reverse it." The centre is conducting field research off the Abu Dhabi coast and running lab-based trials to better understand how to propagate, replant, and restore degraded seagrass beds. Speaking at the event in Abu Dhabi, Dr Emma Jackson, president of the World Seagrass Association said "seagrass meadows continue to be lost and degraded at a global scale." She highlights that about a third of mapped European seagrass meadows for example have already been lost. According to the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the mapped extent of the emirate's seagrass area is well over 3,000 square kilometres – with the main concentrations found around Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve and Al Yasat Marine Protected Area. This represents 80 per cent of all seagrass habitat in the Arabian Gulf. "These meadows support the second-largest dugong population in the world, after Australia," Noura Al Mansoori, marine biodiversity specialist at EAD, told The National. "And, most people don't even realise they exist. Seagrasses are underwater, and they're often mistaken for seaweed, but they're completely different. These are flowering plants with roots and rhizomes, adapted to a marine environment." Al Mansoori said the Gulf's extreme summer conditions, where water temperatures can exceed 35°C, presents unique survival challenges. "That's above tolerance for many species around the world. But our seagrasses hang on. They're resilient, but they need help." EAD is deploying AI technology to map historic trends and identify priority restoration zones, building on decades of monitoring and conservation work. One of the key goals of the Abu Dhabi summit was to lay the foundations to create a regional framework for research and action. Delegates presented national data and participated in gap analyses and planning sessions focused on data from around the region. Dr Elise Marquis, director of the Yas Seaworld Research and Rescue Centre confirmed that a technical report – "the first of its kind for the region"- will be produced following the session to guide future collaboration. Looking ahead, the region's seagrass science community is preparing for a bigger stage, Abu Dhabi will host the 16th International seagrass Biology Workshop in 2026, bringing together the world's top experts. "The momentum is here," said Dr Marquis. "We've undervalued these meadows for too long. It's time we gave them the recognition and protection they deserve."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Post
5 days ago
- Arabian Post
Innovative Technologies Revolutionising River Pollution Control
Arabian Post Staff Rivers across the globe are receiving new attention with a wave of innovative technologies designed to tackle plastic and other pollutants more efficiently than ever before. These emerging systems focus on smart, targeted solutions rather than brute-force methods, achieving significant gains in waste removal while minimising harm to aquatic ecosystems. Four technologies stand out for their unique approaches and effectiveness in various water environments. The Bubble Barrier system is transforming river pollution management by creating a subtle yet effective method for directing floating debris. Rather than installing physical barriers that can harm fish and disrupt natural flow, this system releases a curtain of fine bubbles along the riverbed. These bubbles generate an upward current that gently pushes plastic waste toward the riverbank, where it can be collected safely. Designed with marine life preservation as a priority, the Bubble Barrier operates quietly and with minimal energy, making it sustainable and scalable. Its implementation in European waterways has demonstrated substantial reductions in plastic load downstream, underscoring the potential for global application. ADVERTISEMENT Another breakthrough is the WasteShark drone, an autonomous surface vehicle designed to seek out and collect plastic waste and biomass. Powered entirely by electric batteries, WasteShark operates silently and emission-free, making it suitable for sensitive environmental zones. Its shark-inspired design allows for agile manoeuvrability in narrow or complex waterways where traditional clean-up vessels cannot reach. This technology continuously scans the water surface, collecting debris into its internal storage, which is then offloaded for proper disposal or recycling. Trials conducted in urban canals and small rivers show WasteShark's capacity to reduce floating waste accumulation significantly, while also cutting labour costs associated with manual cleaning. Seabin technology complements these innovations with a more stationary but highly effective approach. Installed in harbours and marinas, Seabins function as water intake devices that draw water inward using low-energy pumps. As water passes through, floating debris, oil residues, microplastics, and even some suspended particles are trapped inside the device's netting system. This process mimics a natural whirlpool, preventing contaminants from drifting into open water bodies. The adaptability of Seabins to different aquatic environments and their ease of installation have led to their adoption in various coastal cities worldwide, where they provide crucial filtration services in high-traffic zones vulnerable to pollution. The Collec'Thor system offers a robust solution designed for the most heavily polluted and challenging river environments. This high-capacity waste collection unit operates continuously, 24 hours a day, removing massive quantities of surface waste that traditional methods struggle to handle. Engineered to withstand strong currents and debris-heavy waters, Collec'Thor is deployed in industrial zones and urban river stretches prone to significant contamination. Its capacity to extract large volumes of waste ensures that less pollution travels downstream, mitigating environmental and public health risks. Recent installations in Southeast Asian waterways demonstrate the system's efficacy in reducing plastic and other pollutants during monsoon seasons, when river pollution typically spikes. Together, these four technologies form a comprehensive, multi-tiered approach to river cleaning that addresses different types of pollution and environmental challenges. While each system excels in its particular niche, their combined deployment creates an interconnected network capable of targeting plastic pollution throughout a river's course, from upstream sources to estuaries. Experts emphasise the significance of moving away from heavy machinery and static nets, which can cause collateral damage to river ecosystems and are limited in reach. Instead, the focus has shifted towards solutions that work in harmony with natural water dynamics and biodiversity. Environmental engineers highlight that intelligent design in waste management systems, such as bubble curtains or autonomous drones, reduces disturbance to aquatic life while enhancing efficiency. Despite their promise, challenges remain. Scaling these technologies to cover entire river systems requires substantial investment and coordination among multiple stakeholders, including governments, environmental groups, and private enterprises. Maintenance and proper waste disposal infrastructure are critical to ensure collected materials do not re-enter waterways or cause secondary pollution. Additionally, the effectiveness of each technology depends on local conditions such as river size, flow rates, and pollution types, necessitating customised deployment strategies.
Al Etihad
28-05-2025
- Al Etihad
UAE's dugong ambassador participates in vital marine research at SeaWorld
28 May 2025 23:42 AYSHA SHAAYA (ABU DHABI)On May 28, World Dugong Day, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi shone the spotlight on Malquot, a gentle but curious male dugong and an ambassador of his alone and in poor health in the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve in 2019 when he was just a week old and with no mother in sight, he was rescued and brought into the care of specialists; he was given the name Malquot, meaning "one who was lost and then found."Six years later, the marine mammal is in a healthy condition, thriving under the expert supervision and support received at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi."One of the main drivers for us to do the Abu Dhabi Ocean Realm here at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi was to highlight him and build a habitat that represented his natural environment so he could thrive," explained Rob Yordi, General Curator at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and the Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue now resides in the Abu Dhabi Ocean Realm at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, a habitat designed to mirror the warm, shallow waters of Abu Dhabi, which is home to the second largest concentration of dugongs in the world, with around 3000 dugongs in the enjoys the companionship of other sea creatures and is delighted by the many faces of visitors who come to greet him and share the unique experience of feeding one of a few dugongs in human care globally, Malquot has "volunteered" to be part of a groundbreaking research in partnership with the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD)."All of our animals in SeaWorld, we consider that they have choice and control. So, we always ask him if he would like to participate in his own research to study him. He's smart and intuitive. He loves his training sessions and always challenges his trainers," added contribution to the research could help ensure the future of his species, as dugongs face threats in the wild, from degradation and marine traffic to entanglement in the nets of the fishers. James Cook University of Australia is participating in a research programme, in collaboration with SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, in a bid to understand the creature's behaviour, habits and needs, and Malquot is only too ready and willing to join the team for this new study.
Al Etihad
28-05-2025
- Al Etihad
Inside the EAD gene bank protecting UAE's botanical treasures
29 May 2025 00:04 MAYS IBRAHIM (AL AIN)The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD)'s Plant Genetic Resource Centre (PGRC) in Al Ain is on a mission to preserve the UAE's native flora, and since it opened in 2024, it has already collected over 580 samples of 130 plant species from across the centre serves as a gene bank that stores plant material in multiple forms: seeds, tissue, live plants, DNA, and even with Aletihad at a media tour on Tuesday, Maher Kabshawi, Head of the Seed Collection and Preservation Section, explained the process that goes into conserving native plant seeds from across the UAE is no easy task, Kabshawi said. "We have to go to the wild during specific seasons when plants are mature but not dried out. It can take several attempts, especially when targeting rare or endangered species."The goal is to conserve around 600 documented plant species in the UAE, but due to the scale of this mission, priorities have been set, he said. The initial focus is on 23 Abu Dhabi species that have been considered "threatened" on the IUCN Red seeds undergo a meticulous multi-step process that includes cleaning, drying, testing, and cataloguing. Only once they meet strict moisture and quality standards are they stored in a 20°C cold room, designed to preserve up to 20,000 samples. Under these conditions, seeds can remain viable for up to 100 years, according to Kabshawi. A High-Tech Facility The seed lab, where cutting-edge innovation meets meticulous scientific methods, is the gateway for every sample that enters the the suite of specialised machines used at the lab is a videometer, the first of its kind in the country. This AI-powered device uses spectrometry to capture high-resolution images of seeds and read a wide range of traits, such as colour, shape, surface texture, and chlorophyll content."The videometer allows us to study seeds non-invasively," seed collection specialist Nuri Asmita said. "We can evaluate a seed's health, maturity, and moisture content without damaging it."The machine works by exposing seeds to specific light wavelengths, allowing scientists to detect internal traits based on how the seed reflects or absorbs tandem, the lab uses an aspirator machine to separate seeds from debris and impurities collected in the field. Once cleaned, seeds are packaged with another precision tool: a counter that uses a light beam to count individual seeds as they pass through. From Herbarium to Fungarium Plant specimens go to the herbarium, while tissue samples are used for cryopreservation and genomic research, supporting broader biodiversity conservation herbarium, which already houses over 4,000 sheets representing 705 species, uses digital imaging - including 3D rendering - to document and preserve plant specimens for future study."Once we press, dry, and mount the samples, we digitise them, creating a record that can last for a century," Sabitha Sakkir, a flora scientist, told centre has also launched the UAE's first fungarium, which currently includes around 40 fungal specimens, including the rare Ganoderma colossum, recorded for the first time in the country. Genome Sequencing One of the most ambitious parts of the PGRC's mission is genome collaboration with G42 and the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, the centre completed sequencing for six native species in its first phase, including the iconic Ghaf tree (Prosopis cineraria), dwarf palm, and seagrass (Halodule uninervis)."Sequencing is complex," Salama Al Mansoori, Plant Conservation Specialist at PGRC, told Aletihad. "It's time-intensive and technically demanding. That's why we prioritise species based on IUCN Red List classifications and ecological importance."Phase two of genome sequencing will focus on three key species, each vital to their respective ecosystems, according to epapposum (Arfaj), which supports desert biodiversity, plays a role in soil stabilisation and helps regulate microclimates. Orchradenus arabicus, a salt-tolerant shrub, enhances vegetation in saline habitats, supports pollinators, and aids in land restoration. Halophila stipulacea, a key seagrass species, stabilises sediment, improves water quality, and provides habitat for marine life, indicating healthy coastal DNA from arid-adapted species is especially challenging due to their fibrous structures, requiring laborious preparation and contamination control across three genome sequencing platforms for best-in-class resolution. A Glasshouse for Native Flora A highlight of the centre is its 1,000-square-meter glasshouse, which simulates five major UAE habitats: coastal areas, sand sheets, sand dunes, wadis, and than 65 native species grow here under controlled conditions, according to horticulture specialist Hassan Al Mansoori pointed out that the building itself is a nod to local heritage and environmental consciousness. Its circular design mirrors the cross-section of the Ghaf tree, while the façade takes inspiration from Ghaf structure uses terracotta for natural cooling, skylights for daylighting, and solar panels that provide more than 25% of its energy needs. Even the paint is chosen carefully to avoid disorienting migratory birds, she the centre is not yet open to the general public, it actively hosts school and university interactive exhibition area with nine installations engages students in conservation science, plant identification, and genomics. Al Mansoori said the centre will launch educational programmes next month, offering students aged 15 and up a week-long, hands-on experience working alongside scientists.
