Latest news with #ClimateChangeStrategy
Filipino Times
24-05-2025
- Science
- Filipino Times
Abu Dhabi uses drones to disperse over 6.5 million seeds across nature reserves
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has completed a large-scale seed dispersal project using custom-designed drones, spreading more than 6.5 million seeds across 320 hectares of nature reserves. The move is part of efforts to restore natural habitats and support the emirate's climate strategy, Abu Dhabi Media Office reported. 'We successfully implemented one of the largest drone-based seeding operations ever undertaken in Abu Dhabi, within a notably short timeframe. This achievement is in line with Abu Dhabi's Climate Change Strategy and covered a total of 320 hectares of habitat, many of which were seeded for the first time,' said Ahmed Al Hashmi, Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at EAD. The project, done with UK-based restoration company Dendra, used custom-made drones to plant seeds in remote areas, allowing work to be finished faster and without disturbing fragile land. Native plants like Samar (Vachellia tortilis), Moringa (Moringa peregrina), and Desert Cotton (Aerva javanica) were seeded in Jebel Hafit's mountain slopes. In Qasr Al Sarab's sand dunes, seeds included Fire Bush (Calligonum polygonoides) and Rimth (Haloxylon salicornicum). The agency's team, including young Emirati talent, studied soil and vegetation before seeding to match each area with suitable native species. This ensures better chances for the seeds to grow and thrive. EAD will monitor the seeded areas using AI-powered sensors to track plant growth. The project builds on the agency's earlier rangeland studies launched in 2024 to help improve land management across Abu Dhabi.
Al Etihad
22-05-2025
- Science
- Al Etihad
EAD completes project to disperse 6.5m native seeds across nature reserves
22 May 2025 10:21 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has completed its 2025 native seed dispersal programme in nature reserves. The initiative, conducted in partnership with UK-based environmental restoration company Dendra, used custom-designed drones to carry out aerial agency continues to advance its drone-based seeding programme through the expertise of a dedicated team comprising seasoned professionals and promising young Emirati talent. The team carries out comprehensive studies and precise assessments of vegetation cover within the targeted reserves, taking into account soil characteristics and their suitability for the native plant species selected under the Al Hashmi, Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at EAD, said: 'We successfully implemented one of the largest drone-based seeding operations ever undertaken in Abu Dhabi, within a notably short timeframe. This achievement is in line with Abu Dhabi's Climate Change Strategy and covered a total of 320 hectares of habitat, many of which were seeded for the first time.'This initiative underscores the agency's commitment to harnessing advanced artificial intelligence tools in support of environmental sustainability and reflects our leadership's ongoing vision to safeguard natural ecosystems through the integration of innovation and technology in pursuit of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.'A total of 6.5 million seeds from native species were dispersed, including Samar (Vachellia tortilis), Moringa (Moringa peregrina), Rumex (Rumex limoniastrum), Cleome )Cleome pallida(Desert cotton (Aerva javanica) and Panicum (Panicum turgidum) in the mountainous slopes and wadi habitats of Jebel Hafit National for the Sand dunes ecosystems of Qasr Al Sarab Nature Reserve, seeds of Fire Bush (Calligonum polygonoides), Rimth (Haloxylon salicornicum), Tricholaena (Tricholaena teneriffae), Panicum (Panicum turgidum), and Agriophyllum (Agriophyllum minus) were use of drones enables the agency to cover extensive areas in significantly less time compared to traditional manual seeding methods. This technology also facilitates operations in remote and difficult-to-access terrain without the need for vehicles, thereby reducing environmental disturbance to fragile marks only the beginning of the process. EAD will continue to monitor the designated areas to assess vegetation response over time, employing AI-powered sensors and advanced monitoring technologies to track the growth of shrubs and native plants. This initiative builds upon the natural rangeland study programmes launched by the agency in 2024 and is continuing into 2025. These efforts aim to establish a comprehensive, field-based assessment of current vegetation conditions, serving as a benchmark for evaluating the effectiveness of grazing regulations and other environmental management measures across Abu Dhabi. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
