The Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon Demonstration Project

Salt marsh Salt marshes are relatively limited in extent, compared with the other Blue Carbon ecosystems, covering 4,770 hectares (equivalent to over 29 Formula 1 Yas Marina Circuits). They occur in patches along the fringe of coastal sabkha, locally on sand veneers, adjacent to channels within coastal sabkha, and amongst higher intertidal areas of mangrove stands. The salt marshes are dominated by the succulent, halophytic shrub Arthrocnemum macrostachyum and subdominant species Halocnemum strobilaceum, Halopeplis perfoliata, Suaeda vermiculata, Salicornia europaea, Limonium axillare, Anabasis setifera and Salsola species. These species are typical of high salinity conditions and dryer, more aerated wetland soils.

Highly adapted to the extreme environments of Abu Dhabi, salt marshes play a vital role in the coastal web of life.

Photo: © AGEDI /Pat Megonigal

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