Qatar's 'green fortress' helps tackle carbon emission

Over the past few years, those in charge of the environment sector in the country have succeeded in doubling the area of mangroves, from 9kms three years ago to 14kms along the country's shores.Environmental officials are making intensive efforts to preserve and develop mangrove forests and develop their areas.The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has cultivated mangroves in four areas on the northern and eastern coast after it was initially limited to Al Khor and Al Thakhira areas.There are now different sites where mangroves are grown in large areas estimated at thousands of hectares. Mangrove cultivation has succeeded in Al Ruwais and Umm Al Houl, Fuwairit, and Ras Matbakh.Qatar efforts in preserving the environment has been a great success.In 2014, more than 23% of the country's land area was designated as nature reserves.In total, there are 12 nature reserves, namely, Al Ariq, Al Thakhira, Khor Al Adeed, Riffa, Umm Al Amad, Umm Qarn, Al Sani', Al Reem, Al Sheehaniya, Al Mashabiya, Al Wasail, and Wadi Sultana.The Khor Al Adaid Reserve is the largest in terms of area, with an area of 1,293 square kilometers, or 47% of the total wildlife reserves. It is also considered the largest marine protected area, with an area of 540 square kilometers, or 75% of the total marine reserves.The rate of extinction of coastal mangrove forests in the world ranges from three to five times faster than the loss of forests around the world.The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in Qatar is keen to protect, preserve and work on mangroves' development as these forests are an essential element in addressing climate change and its extinction may lead to significant social and economic impacts.Among the most prominent areas in which mangroves grow densely are Al Khor and Al Thakhira.The trees extend over an area of more than seven square kilometers within its waters, and the height of the trees reaches four meters.The mangrove or mangrove forests of Al Thakhira are spread over a vast area thriving with natural plants in the middle of the surrounding desert.According to Law No. 6 of 2006, the Al Thakhira area, where there are mangrove forests, is considered a nature reserve.The area, about 64km from Doha, is characterised by the presence of evergreen mangrove forests in summer and winter that grow on seawater.The mangroves can breathe when inundated with highly saline seawater and grow in that water, turning it into fresh water and feeding on it.Mangrove forests represent a rare and amazing natural site rich in wildlife that separates the land from the sea. They produce oxygen and absorbs carbon dioxide and toxic gases, and helps greatly in reducing global warming.The importance of mangrove plants, whose seedlings vary from 44cms to 60cms in length, is that they work to stabilise the soil, preserve beaches from erosion, as well as improve conditions for increase in fish stocks', as mangroves are considered a fortress for the reproduction of many fish, some of which are of economic importance in Qatar, like Badah.The mangrove environment is considered a suitable habitat for many types of marine organisms, such as fish, shrimp, algae, crustaceans, fungi, worms, and others.Mangroves have many benefits, their strong stems are used in construction, as fuel for cooking and heating, and in many wood industries, such as for making boats because the stems are characterised by its durability, strength and salt tolerance.Mangroves have a great ability to grow in salt water, as they filter the salty water through glands in the roots, and then remove the excess water from the leaves.Mangroves reduce carbon dioxide eight times as much as rainforests, prevent soil erosion on beaches, and reduce storm surge intensity.Coastal mangrove trees constitute a distinctive ecosystems and provide a wide range of ecosystem goods.Coastal mangrove forests are rare despite their presence in 123 regions in the world, including Qatar, as they represent approximately 1% of tropical forests around the world, and no more than 0.4% of the totality of forests in general.The management and restoration of coastal mangrove ecosystems can be achieved with minimal costs to ensure food security for many coastal communities.The trees form a natural barrier that reduce erosion, softens waves (and tsunamis) and reduces sea level rise in storms.The soil of mangrove forests are largely rich in carbon sinks, which sequester large amounts of carbon over thousands of years, and mangroves can reduce the damage caused by natural disasters and thus increase resistance against climate change and its effects.Mangrove forests represent rare and amazing natural sites full of wildlife and marine life.They also produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide and toxic gases, and this helps greatly in reducing global warming.Mangrove ecosystems are highly efficient carbon sinks that sequester huge amounts of carbon within the soil, leaves and branches. One hectare of mangroves can store 3,754 tonnes of carbon.