The Environmental Atlas of Abu Dhabi Emirate

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Sand Sheets & Sand Dunes Sand sheets and dunes of various types cover most of the Emirate. Sand sheets are low relief features, largely devoid of dunes, whereas dunes are distinct and sometimes complex landforms at least several metres high. Where dunes merge, vast 'sand seas' are formed. The unstable sands of mobile dunes make them less amenable to plants. The dune substrates are composed almost entirely of coarse-grained sand, allowing rapid penetration of water to depths where it is inaccessible to many desert plants, while few specialised species

Just Below the Surface T Life in the desert differs enormously between daytime and night. In daylight hours, the desert is seemingly devoid of visible signs of life. But appearances can be deceiving. With nightfall, a miraculous transformation occurs: a the probing beam of torchlight will reveal a diversity of insects, reptiles and even mammals. These lie relatively dormant underground within burrows to escape the blistering heat of the day, emerging after dark to hunt for food. This single adaptation allowing night-time activity is critical to the survival of many species in the desert.

Greater Hoopoe Lark T The Greater Hoopoe Lark ( Alaemon alaudipes ) shows remarkable changes in both physiology and behaviour to overcome desert extremes. Its metabolism is 40% lower than most other birds helping it to significantly reduce water loss. Hoopoe Larks overcome heat stress by invading the holes of spiny-tailed lizards during the summer. It produces small broods of young to cope with limited food supply.

can cope with the constantly changing surface conditions of mobile sandy substrates. Seeds that are buried too deep are unable to germinate, and those that do must be resistant at the highly vulnerable seedling stage to conditions such as lack of water, abrasion from wind-blown sand and frequent burial and/ or removal of the sand around them. Consequently, mobile sands are sparsely vegetated, mainly by perennials.

Pharaoh Eagle-owl Bubo ascalaphus desertorum

The Ghaf Tree T The Ghaf tree ( Prosopis cineraria ) reaches impressive heights of up to 16metres.Amongst the rather modest plant communities of the desert, it is a relative giant.

Asian Houbara Bustard X The Asian Houbara ( Chlamydotis macqueenii ), or MacQueen’s Bustard, is prized throughout Arabia as a quarry for falconers. Its plumage is mainly sandy- buff in colour, patterned with fine grey-black lines and speckles – a perfect camouflage for concealing itself from predators.

Dipterygium glaucum

Cape Desert Hare T The Cape Desert Hare ( Lepus capensis omanensis ) can be seen in the early morning hours using their long, stretched ears as a form of portable shade. By increasing blood flow to their ears, they are able to radiate excess heat. Concentrated urine, low water content in their pellets and the ability to raise their body temperature to prevent perspiration are adaptations that limit water loss.

Calligonum crinitum

Greater Hoopoe lark Alaemon alaudipes

Arabian Primrose Arnebia hispidissima

Dune Sand Gecko Stenodactylus doriae

The Ghaf T Ghaf trees develop an extensive root system penetrating as deep as 30 metres to tap into groundwater stored deep in the sand, allowing them to survive in areas with extremely low rainfall and to produce leaves year-round. They are of particular importance for humans. The leaves can be used in salad, while the wood is a source of timber, especially if cut in November when it is more resistant to termites.The roots and symbiotic bacteria fix nitrogen into the soil, increasing its fertility and reducing the need for water and fertiliser.

Cyperus conglomeratus

GhafTree Prosopis cineraria

Desert Monitor Varanus griseus

The Desert Monitor S The occasional habit of Desert Monitors ( Varanus griseus ) to stand on their hind legs and appear to 'monitor' their surroundings may explain the origin of their Arabic name, warwal .

Savi's Pygmy Shrew T With a body length of between 60–80 mm and weighing only a few grams, the Pygmy Shrew ( Suncus etruscas ) is one of the world’s smallest mammals. It mainly feeds on insects and has a voracious appetite, consuming 2–4 times its body weight in a single day, a quite remarkable feat for one so small.

Asian Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis macqueenii

Ghada T The Self-Watering Plant

Arabian Oryx Oryx leucoryx

Sand Gazelle Gazella subgutturosa marica

Amongst dune-dwelling plants, the Ghada ( Haloxylon persicum ) or saxaul shrub is extremely significant. Growing up to 4.5 m in height, the wood is heavy and coarse with a bark that is spongy and water-soaked. Stands in Abu Dhabi are the only ones in eastern Arabia, giving them outstanding rarity and conservation value. Their fine branches ‘comb’ out droplets of water from the atmosphere, creating a unique ‘dew forest’. This moisture accumulates beneath the plants where it is exploited by other water-hungry species of plants and animals.

Sand Cat Felis margarita harrisoni

Cape Desert Hare Lepus capensis omanensis

Arabian Camel Camelus dromedarius

Savi's Pygmy Shrew Suncus etruscus

Savile Row Beetles T Savile Row Beetles ( Paraplatyope arabica ) are well adapted for survival in deserts. To reduce heat absorption, they straighten their legs as they walk to lift them above the hot sand. They retreat from the most intense heat by moving into cracks or under rocks, even

excavating their own burrows. Mostly, these beetles do not fly but use their rudimentary wing covers (elytra) as a chamber to trap air acting as insulation. The foul, oily fluid they exude from glands at the tip of their abdomen deters even the most persistent predators.

Cheesman’s Gerbil Gerbillus cheesmani

Desert Campion Silene villosa

Savile Row Beetle Paraplatyope arabica

Zahar Tribulus arabicus

Arabian Horned Viper Cerastes gasperettii

Arabian Toad-headed Agama Phrynocephalus arabicus

Ghada Haloxylon persicum

Sac Spider Clubionidae

Urchin Beetle Prianotheca coronata

Wolf Spider Lycosidae

Ground Spider Pterotricha sp

Centropodia forsskaolii

Spiders S Ground-dwelling spiders are the most common insect predators in desert ecosystems. Large communities of wandering spiders live under stones or in holes and prey on insects and larvae hibernating in the soil.

Ethiopian Hedgehog Paraechinus aethiopicus

Sabre-toothed Beetle Scarites guineensis

Dung Beetle Scarabaeus cristatus

Sand Cat S The Sand Cat ( Felis margarita harrisoni ) is one of the rarest and most beautiful animals in the Emirate. Shy and secretive, it leads a solitary nocturnal life, coming together only to breed. Its paws are covered in a mat of hairs that assist movement on unstable sand and increase stealth while hunting. Virtually all its water needs are obtained in the food it eats, a physiological adaptation that is essential to desert survival.

Dhub Lizard Uromastyx aegyptia

Black Fat-tailed Scorpion

Sea to Summit › Sand Sheets & Sand Dunes

Sand Skink Scincus mitranus

Androctonus crassicauda

Dhub Lizards S The Spiny-tailed Lizard, known in Arabic as Dhub ( Uromastyx aegyptia ) is a member of a large family of herbivorous agamid lizards distri- buted from North Africa, the Middle East, parts of Central Asia and India. Dhubs live in colonies

Sand Skink S The Sand Skink ( Scincus mitranus ) is a small lizard with a pointed snout and smooth, glossy scales.They can dive into the sand and disappear almost instantly if threatened. They give birth to live young, giving them a distinct advantage in the desert, where eggs can quickly become desiccated or eaten by predators.

and inhabit burrows that they dig where the soil is firm or composed of very soft rock.They often exhibit variations in colour. There are two local subspecies: U. a. leptieni and U. a. microlepsis.

Dung Beetles S Dung Beetles ( Scarabaeus cristatus ) or true scarabs have impressive ball-rolling skills. They feed upon dung wherever it is found and sometimes burrow into the ground directly under the dung pile. To preserve their precious food supply, they shape the

dung into a near perfect ball and roll it away, sometimes considerable distances, where it won’t be disturbed by other insects. Dung Beetles are adapted to eat almost everything organic including plants, other insects and carcasses as well as dung.