Marawah marine biosphere reserve | natural wonders of the UAE

The Marawah biosphere reserve, rich in seaweed, coral reefs and mangroves, is just a short distance from the stone jungle.

It is home to 60% of the total population of dugongs in the UAE, as well as bottlenose dolphins, humpback dolphins and seabirds, 3 species of sea turtles and 70 species of fish. Also on its territory there are more than 20 historical monuments Dating back to the stone age. Visitors are advised not to leave anything here but traces.

In the summer of 2018, the UAE government has set its task to make the country one of the largest centers of ecological tourism in the world. In total, there are 43 nature reserves in the Emirates today, which occupy 14% of the total area of the Arabian state.

Biosphere reserve in the United Arab Emirates. The reserve was established in 2007 and includes a number of neighboring Islands and coastal waters in addition to the island of Marawah.The reserve stretches along the coastline for 120 km and includes both the sea area and the Islands.

On land, the altitude ranges from -5 to 20 meters. The maximum depth of the sea part reaches 25 meters.

In the database world network of biosphere reserves given the following coordinates of the center of the reserve: 24.44281° N. lat. 53.23794° W. D. According to the concept of zoning reserves total area of 5455 km2 which is divided into three main zones: the core - 5 605 km2 of land and km2 of water, a buffer area 295 km2 of land and 3 350 km2 of water area of cooperation is 300 km2 of land and 900 km2 of water.

Most of the reserve, 5,255 km2, is the Marawah marine conservation area, which was established in 2001 and is the largest marine conservation site in the region.

Flora and fauna

The reserve is rich in its marine vegetation. It grows 3 species of marine bottom plants, about 18 species of coral, 15 species of algae. The island vegetation is represented by mangroves, mainly avicennia (Avicennia marina).

On the territory of the reserve is found the second largest population of rare species of dugong (Dugong dugon), and nests up to 5% of the total number of Persian cormorant (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis).

In addition, the waters of the reserve are rich in fish (up to 70 species) and other marine life, in particular rare turtles bissa (Eretmochelys imbricata) and green turtle (Chelonia mydas). Turtles lay eggs on the Islands in the reserve.

Interaction with people

The population size and density are very low both on the Islands and on the continental coast. The main settlements are Tareef, Radeem, Mirfaa and Themeiria. Local residents are traditionally engaged in fishing on the territory of the reserve.

Research in the field of Geology and archeology is one of the priorities of the reserve. Archaeological excavations are carried out on various Islands, more than 20 sites have been recorded, including 13 sites on the island of Marawah. Most of the finds date back to the XVI century, but there are Neolithic sites, the age of which reaches 6 thousand years, as well as many graves, wooden mosques, wells and other objects.

In addition, since 1995, the main studies have been conducted on the coastline, the study of rare species of plants and animals, their migration methods.