Jebel Hafeet biodiversity trail an eye-opener

The Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) has discovered hundreds of new species of insects and plants on Jebel Hafeet and in its surrounding wadis in Al Ain, with many of the finds believed to be unique.
The presence of these species in a mountainous environment with its abundance of valleys is significant. The discoveries have been made through the Abu Dhabi Terrestrial Baseline Survey, initiated by the EAD in 2012. The survey aims at collecting data about terrestrial biodiversity all year round. The programme has successfully documented hundreds of species of animals, insects, birds, reptiles and plants in the emirate of Abu Dhabi — many of them endangered.
Dr Shaikha Salem Al Daheri, Executive Director of Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity at the EAD, told Gulf News that the new discoveries have highlighted that Jebel Hafeet, one of the two highest mountains in the U.A.E., is a habitat teeming with life. The area "needs immediate protection to preserve the rich biodiversity of this unique ecosystem”, she said.
Some of the vegetation, such as the Dwarf Palm, are unique to the area, she said. Endemic plant species in the local ecosystem include Caralluma and Acridocarpus, while rare species documented in the area include the Periploca.
Dr Shaikha said the EAD's survey teams started carrying out studies in the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi this year and the collected data has been uploaded to the EAD's environmental database. Jebel Hafeet and other areas of rich biodiversity in Abu Dhabi have been accorded great attention by the EAD since 2011.
Some 238 species of invertebrates, which were earlier not known, have been recorded in Abu Dhabi in the last few years. A total of 320 insect species listed under 93 scientific families have so far been recorded in Jebel Hafeet. These comprise of 18 insect orders and a few other invertebrates including scorpions, camel spiders, spiders, pill bugs and centipedes that constitute the major invertebrate fauna, Dr Shaikha said.
She added that EAD's experts continue to deploy camera traps around Jebel Hafeet that have helped gather information about the presence and distribution of unique mammals such as the Arabian Tahr, Blanford's Fox and Red Fox.
The mountain is also home to the rare Persian horned viper (Pseudocerastesp. persicus). This snake is found only in the mountainous parts of the emirate and neighbouring Oman at an altitude of 600 metres and above. There have been few records of this species in the Jebel Hafeet area.
Jebel Hafeet's importance from a historical and archaeological perspective is undeniable. The EAD programme has now added another dimension to the mountains, making them one of the most ecologically diverse and biologically rich areas in the whole of the Arabian Peninsula, Dr Shaikha said.
Talking about the survey, she said the U.A.E. has made a big effort to sustain the environment, protect natural resources, and preserve endangered species. The EAD has lately shifted its focus from the basic concept of preserving species to adopting a wider approach of protecting ecosystems. This approach has helped the EAD better understand, tackle and alleviate the factors that could pose any threat to wildlife in the future.
The EAD declares protected areas and carries out rehabilitation programmes to preserve endangered species. "We seek to raise environmental awareness, facilitate sustainable development and ensure environmental issues remain one of the top priorities of our national agenda,” Dr Shaikha added.
The Abu Dhabi Terrestrial Baseline Survey enjoys the support of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, and Chairman of the EAD.
The EAD, Dr Shaikha said, aims to put together a comprehensive database to serve as a platform for the long-term monitoring of all habitats. "This survey, once complete, will provide a snapshot of Abu Dhabi's terrestrial wildlife, vegetation and patterns of land use. It will also bridge gaps in available information about biodiversity, assess the efficiency of the emirate's ecosystems, and help with decisions related to conservation,” she added.
The agency completed surveying the Western Region in Abu Dhabi last year. The survey data, Dr Shaikha said, will enable EAD and its partners to make the right decisions on future projects and provide information needed for the establishment of new protected areas.
The EAD was established in 1996 to preserve Abu Dhabi's natural heritage and raise awareness on environmental issues. The agency is Abu Dhabi's environmental regulator and advises the government on environmental policy. It works to create sustainable communities, and protect and conserve wildlife and natural resources. It also works to ensure integrated and sustainable water resources management to ensure clean air and minimise climate change and its impacts.