Research to look at the effect of climate change on dugongs
A research agreement between French energy company Total and the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi will assess the effects of climate change on the region’s dugongs and their environment.
The research will enable the government to develop strategies to protect the species.
“This study is crucial towards enhancing our understanding of Abu Dhabi’s extensive seagrass meadows, which support the world’s second largest dugong population, as well as more than 4,000 green sea turtles,” said Dr Shaikha Al Dhaheri, an executive director of the agency.
“The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed Abu Dhabi’s dugong population as vulnerable for the past 16 years. This programme would help the agency to take focused action on mitigating the impacts of climate change on our local dugong and other seagrass communities, and protecting this vital marine ecosystem.”
The seagrass meadows of the Arabian Gulf are crucial to dugongs and other species.
They also play an important role in easing climate change because they capture carbon.
In the Gulf region, seagrasses are exposed to large seasonal variations in water temperature and salinity.
Total, the world’s fifth largest international oil and gas company, was the key sponsor of the agency’s dugong conservation programme from 1999 to this year.
“Total in the UAE long-term partnership with the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi is part of our ongoing strategy with the Total Foundation to act in a sustainable and responsible manner,” said Hatem Nuseibeh, president of Total in the UAE.
“We are proud to be in partnership with organisations that support action committed to finding solutions to the challenges of climate change in the UAE.”