Abu Dhabi, UAE – Construction company ALEC and the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) have launched a three-year pilot project to restore a degraded mangrove area in Abu Dhabi, described by the partners as the first of its kind in the emirate.
ALEC is part of ALEC Holdings, owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai. EAD is leading the scientific work on the project, which follows an annual partners’ meeting held on 8 October at Rixos Saadiyat.
Restoring the flow of water
Rather than planting alone, the pilot focuses on hydrological restoration – reinstating the natural flow of tidal water into the degraded area – to test whether this approach helps mangrove ecosystems recover over the long term.
Project goals
- Collect baseline data for the selected site
- Test whether hydrological restoration supports long-term ecosystem recovery
- Track progress against restoration and biodiversity indicators
- Use the results to guide future mangrove restoration in Abu Dhabi
Part of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative
The pilot links to the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative, which ALEC joined earlier in 2026. The company describes it as its first biodiversity restoration investment with measurable outcomes, and employees can take part through citizen-science monitoring and volunteering.
Mangroves protect the UAE’s coastline from erosion, provide nurseries for fish and birds, and store large amounts of carbon, making their restoration an important part of the country’s climate and biodiversity goals.
Source: Gulf News.
