The Environmental Atlas of Abu Dhabi Emirate

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135

L AND U SE S UITABILITY F ORESTRY & W OODED P ARKLAND

Ra's al- Khaimah

60

45

Umm al-Qaiwain

This map shows the distribution of land suitable for forestry (includes wooded parklands) in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The suitability is determined using several criteria, including existing land use, land degradation, and soil properties such as salinity and texture. This map illustrates that much of the Emirate is suitable for forestry. Unsuitable areas include the coastal plains and inland sabkhas , which are generally too salty for forestry. Other areas of the Emirate are severely restricted by depth to hardpan or proximity to a gypsic layer, which limits the ability of roots to penetrate underground where groundwater may persist. Suitable areas for forestry include the dunes and sand sheets of the central parts of the

Emirate. Proximity to water supplies may also be an important consideration. This map shows some of the already existing forests occurring in areas that do not meet the suitability criteria. The adjacent graph also demonstrates this, showing approximately 30% of the Emirate’s existing forests occurring in areas that are classified as unsuitable for forestry. Planting and maintenance of forests in these unsuitable areas requires substantial inputs of fertilisers and water. This forestry suitability map will assist Abu Dhabi in making more sustainable land management decisions in the future, including the placement of forest plantations in more suitable areas where their long-term success can be assured.

30

Ajman

Sharjah

Qatar

Dubai

15 Percentage

0

Highly Suitable

Not Mapped

Unsuitable

25°N

25°N

Percent of Existing Forested Lands by Suitability Class

A r a b i a n G u l f

Mkasib

Qaffay

Abu Dhabi

Dalma

Muhayyimat

Ghaghah

Musaffah

Bani Yas

Sir Bani Yas

Marawah

Al Ain

Jebel Dhanna

Abu al-Abyadh

Ruwais

Sila'a

Tarif

24°N

24°N

Ghayathi

Habshan

Madinat Zayed

Bu Hasa

Oman

Towns

Liwa

Large/Medium Towns

Roads

23°N

23°N

Dual Carriageway

Land Use

Forestry or Wooded Parkland

Forestry Suitability Highly suited Moderately suited Unsuitable Not Mapped

Saudi Arabia

20

0

20

40 Kilometres

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