Abu Dhabi shares its GIS successes at MEAUC

Geographic information and environmental specialists from the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) attended the ESRI Middle East and Africa User Conference (MEAUC) to share the Agency's successes in using geographic information system (GIS) technology for wildlife conservation and environment protection. In the early 1990s, EAD began investing in GIS technologies to track endangered species in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi such as Falcons, Houbaras, Greater Flamingos, Dugongs, Ospreys, Hawksbill Turtles and Arabian Oryx. The Agency introduced geospatial technology as way to collect and manage environmental field data, conduct soil inventories, select groundwater aquifer storage and recovery sites, as well as predict spatial distribution of fauna and flora. "We've adopted the latest technologies to better understand our environment and biodiversity, as well as to communicate with our partners and society. The environmental data that we have collected over the years and shared with our stakeholders has enabled us to develop and implement an effective environmental regulatory and policy framework when it comes to wildlife conservation and resource management," said Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General at EAD. "We aim to continue investing in such technologies and programmes to allow us to keep conserving our biodiversity and preserving the Emirate's natural heritage," she added.