The Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon Demonstration Project

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12.5

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75

100

Km

Areas of potentially high ecosystem service value

Ecosystem Extent (ha)

Coastal Sabkha 389,000 associatedBlueCarbonecosystem

Seagrass 158,000

Mangrove 14,000

Algal mat 10,000 candidateBlueCarbonecosystem

Saltmarsh 4,000

on the condition of the ecosystem but also its functional linkages to associated ecosystems.

thrive; while mangroves and salt marsh act to trap sediments and nutrients that might smother or degrade seagrasses. When marine and coastal spatial planning is undertaken or updated in Abu Dhabi, it will therefore be important to consider the full suite of services, their values, and the impacts that human activities in any sector will have on continued delivery of these services. This is especially true as climate change adds to the spectre of cumulative impacts, and threatens to undermine the resilience of all marine and coastal ecosystems, in the Emirate and in the Arabian Gulf region.

Figure 9 Estimated areas of highest concentration of Blue Carbon co- benefits arising from Blue Carbon and candidate and associated ecosystems

For mangrove forests to continue to provide nursery grounds for commercially and recreationally

important fish populations, the two-way linkages between mangrove and offshore ecosystems such as seagrass beds, coral reefs and offshore landform features must be maintained. Similarly, offshore systems such as coral reefs create the sheltered conditions necessary for inshore systems such as seagrasses to

Slender Billed Gull: © AGEDI / Xavier Eichaker

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