Mangroves of the Qatar Coast, Arabian Gulf: Loss, Restoration, and the Role in Climate Change

Al Absi, R., Al-Kuwari, H.A., Vethamony, P., Rajendran, S., Mohammed, V.A., and Al-Khayat, A.J., 2024. Mangroves of the Qatar Coast, Arabian Gulf: Loss, restoration, and the role in climate change. In: Phillips, M.R.; Al-Naemi, S., and Duarte, C.M. (eds.), Coastlines under Global Change: Proceedings from the International Coastal Symposium (ICS) 2024 (Doha, Qatar). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 113, pp. 875-879. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. The maximum growth and productivity of mangroves are found in humid tropical areas, and hot regions like the Arabian Gulf countries, including Qatar have the least mangrove growth and biomass due to high humidity, salinity, temperature, and low precipitation. Halophytic mangroves thrive in arid environments such as the Arabian Gulf coast through adaptations like avoidance and tolerance mechanisms, development of shallow and deep root systems, lowered stomatal conductance, inland migration and ability to regrow from epicormic shoots. Various anthropogenic pressures such as deforestation, construction activities, desalination plants, oil and gas industries, and leisure activities contribute to mangrove loss in the Arabian Gulf region. Avicenna marina is the dominant and naturally occurring mangrove species on the Gulf Coast. In Qatar, the mangroves are nursery grounds for indigenous commercially valuable fish and swimming crabs like Portunus segnis. Massive occurrences of mangroves were mapped along the east coast of Qatar, between Al-Khor and Umm Sa, whereas the density is relatively low along the north and west coasts of Qatar. Despite mangroves being adaptable and resilient to the initial harsh conditions, climate change effects could pose serious risks to their adaptation capabilities in the Gulf. Mangroves have the ability to trap and retain significant amounts of carbon, both in the aboveground and belowground components, making them one of the most carbon-abundant ecosystems on earth. Therefore, the State of Qatar is compensating for the loss of its mangroves through restoration programs with the involvement of government agencies, research institutions, private partners, and the community by setting up nurseries and plantations. In this context, the Environmental Science Center at Qatar University executed a few projects related to restoration of mangrove ecosystems.