I have visited the mangroves of Al Kohr with Lindsay, Ais and Nate and I have also gone there with my students as well. Having visited pristine mangroves in Dubai, it is shocking to see the difference between healthy mangroves and those that are struggling. The impact of human activity on these delicate areas is a terrible sight. It is almost like the Lorax by Dr. Seuss in real life. How can people in general be so disrespectful?
Qatar’s mangroves
Qatar is home to the Avicennia Marina, also known as the grey mangrove or white mangrove tree, communities of which form forests around Qatar’s shores.
There are at least eight mangrove sites in Qatar, and all are protected by a 2006 Emiri decree.
The plants play a vital role in helping to reduce climate change because they absorb up to 50 times more carbon than a similar area of tropical forest. They also offer a safe breeding place for many varieties of fish.
These mangrove swamps are home to a wealth of life, including a new species of sea slug that was found in 2007 by a member of the Qatar Natural History Group.
Al Thakira and Al Khor has the largest and oldest mangroves in Qatar.
Source: Doha News
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