Nine key biodiversity areas of global importance identified in the UAE

Dubai: The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has announced the designation of nine globally significant Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in the UAE.

Approved by the “Key Biodiversity Areas Secretariat”, these areas are of strategic biological importance on a global scale and are home to many threatened plants and animals.

The draft identifying the UAE's nine KBAs was reviewed by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a meeting to mark World Environment Day on June 5. Sheikh Mohamed met with a group of young people, entrepreneurs and leaders from the United Arab Emirates. environmental field which presented pioneering initiatives and ideas aligned with the UAE's approach to supporting sustainability through innovation.

The nine newly appointed KBAs include:

This significant milestone highlights the active participation of relevant authorities from the UAE government and private sector, as well as the dedicated efforts of a team comprising 75 national and resident staff, both men and women. The teams attended training sessions by international experts and were guided by the ministry to effectively execute the project.

The designation of the nine KBAs was completed last year, in line with the global standard for identifying these areas. These sites have been officially published in the global database of key biodiversity areas.

Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said the UAE is committed to advancing progress and prosperity by playing an important role in safeguarding our planet and ensuring its sustainability . This approach aligns with the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who emphasized environmental conservation.

Dr Al Dahak said: “The designation of nine key areas of global importance for biodiversity in the UAE is the result of the country's initiatives during the Year of Sustainability and its commitment to conservation biodiversity and nature protection. The UAE has demonstrated exceptional efforts to protect living creatures from extinction, both locally and globally.

Dr Al Dahak concluded: “Such conservation projects in the UAE play a crucial role in raising public awareness of the importance of biodiversity and mitigating the adverse effects of its depletion. These projects play an instrumental role in informing and shaping policies that align with the UAE's economic objectives.

The nine KBAs have several characteristics that position them among some of the most important biodiversity sites regionally and globally. Two of these biodiversity sites have been identified for the Arabian gazelle, the Arabian sand gazelle and the Arabian oryx. These are the first KBAs dedicated to these mammals in the world.

The United Arab Emirates is home to the largest number of Arabian oryx in the world, having been on the brink of extinction in the 1970s. The Arabian oryx is found in both the Desert Conservation Reserve and Al Marmoom in Dubai and the Arabian Oryx Protected Area in Abu Dhabi.

Additionally, two KBAs of global importance have been identified for Dugong (sea cows). These sites are the first KBAs of global importance for sea cows in the Middle East. The UAE is home to the second largest gathering of sea cows in the world, found in the Al Yasat and Marawah marine areas.

Additionally, three KBAs for three endemic species of Geckos (Asaccus caudivolvulus, Asaccus margaritas and Ptyodactylus Ruusaljibalicus) were identified and these are the first KBAs for reptiles in the UAE.

Five of these key sites are fully protected, representing on average 98% of the KBA area covered by protected areas in the UAE.

The KBA designation contributes to increasing the average area protected in terrestrial sites important for the biodiversity indicator from 51.55% to 98.08%, the average area protected in marine sites important for the biodiversity indicator from 48 .61% to 98.17% and the average proportion of key biodiversity areas covered by protected areas, from 37.59% to 98.13%.

Key Biodiversity Areas play a crucial role in helping to protect biodiversity from extinction and maintaining its stability. These sites provide a safe environment for many plant and animal species and support ecological balance by supporting ecosystems and providing essential natural resources. Additionally, they provide conservation of the natural environment, such as purifying air and water, improving soil quality, storing carbon and serving as a genetic resource for plants and animals .