The Environmental Atlas of Abu Dhabi Emirate

52°E

53°E

54°E

153

M ARINE H ABITATS T YPES & D ISTRIBUTION

550.0

506.45

440.0

The most productive and diverse aquatic habitats of Abu Dhabi occur within the sheltered shallow waters along the coast and offshore islands. Here, mangrove forests, seagrass beds, saltmarshes, macro-algal beds, mud flats, nutrient-rich shallows and coral reefs occur, supporting a great diversity of coastal and marine species. The dead coral reefs along Abu Dhabi’s coast have remained largely intact, providing structural platforms for different

seaweeds and algae to become established. While some of these marine habitats are protected within the Emirate’s biosphere reserve and MPAs, others are not. Additional assessment studies on the distribution and quality of Abu Dhabi’s marine habitats are planned for the long-term conservation and sustainable use of these habitats.

330.0

Sir Abu Nu'air (Sharjah)

Square Kilometres

220.0

110.0

44.63

25°N

25°N

17.19

6.41

4.44

2.47

0.57

0.59

0.01

0.30

0.01

0

Mixed Algae Mangroves

Saltmarsh

Mixed Algae Saltmarsh

Seagrass

Mixed Algae Seagrass

Macro Algae

Live Coral Reef

Mixed Algae- Live Corals

Dead Coral Reef

Algae-Dead Corals

Mangroves

Habitat Types of Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve - 4255 Km 2

A r a b i a n G u l f

Mkasib

Muhayyimat

Abu Dhabi

Al Yasat MPA

Bu Tinah

Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve

Dalma

Ghaghah

Bul Syayeef MPA

Musaffah

Sir Bani Yas

Bani Yas

Marawah

Jebel Dhanna

Yasat al-Ulya

Abu al-Abyadh

Ruwais

Sila'a

Tarif

24°N

24°N

4.0

3.41

Habshan

Ghayathi

3.0

Madinat Zayed

Protected Areas Marine

2.0

Habitats

Algae Live Coral Reef Dead Coral Reef

Bu Hasa

Square Kilometres

1.14

1.0

Mangroves Salt Marsh Seagrass

0.50

0.04

0.01

0.0

Macro Algae

Mixed Live Coral Reef

Mixed Live Coral Reef with Algae

Dead Coral Reef

Dead Coral Reef with Algae

20

0

20

40 Kilometres

Habitat Types of Al Yasat MPA - 2046 Km 2

52°E

53°E

54°E