Our visit to Qatar to explore and study the mangrove ecosystem was indeed very informative. It was the best learning opportunity for mangroves. From the outset during the visit, it was evident that the mangrove fields needed rehabilitation. Unless the mangroves are rehabilitated, the ecosystem within Qatar will also be equally affected. The neglect of this environmental feature is evident throughout the portions that we visited and studied.
It is also crucial to mention that mangroves are important carbon sinks when compared to natural inland forests. Mangroves play an important role of up taking pollutants channeled into the marine environment. After testing the gulf waters, the results indicated that they were highly saline. This is a major threat to the growth and development of mangroves. However, there are still myriads of opportunities to improve or boost the current level in the growth of mangroves.
For example, research and development can be initiated with the aim of establishing better methods of managing the mangroves. The youths in the Gulf region can be educated and made part and parcel of such research studies. Nevertheless, the success of restoring the mangrove vegetation purely relies on good project management practices. For example, the quality, reliability and endurance of university students are of utmost importance. Second, it is crucial to consider the aspects of project ownership and partnership. In order to record any degree of success, the latter ought to be rock-solid so as to avoid mis-understandings that can significantly derail the process of conservation.
As it stands now, mangroves are diminishing in terms of area coverage in several spots within the Gulf region. As already mentioned, Qatar is one of the affected regions. Adopting a Royal Decree is necessary to hasten the process of conservation. Awareness, management and conservation programs need to be put in place, in order to fast track the much- needed attention through the assistance of political organs in the country.
Limonium axillare in Al Khor are very common species within the mangroves of Qatar. They are generally known to be highly resistant to the saline Qatar waters. Therefore, they can survive better in this ecosystem. However, the aforementioned species do not exist alone. Other organisms such as Arthrocnemum macrostachyum are also dominant in the mangrove vegetation. The latter also assists in primary productivity of the mangroves and a good carbon storage reservoir. The Arthrocnemum roots are also clustered with the growth of Cistanche tubulosa. It is a well-known parasite within the mangrove environment. It was not easy to establish how the seeds find their way to the roots of the plant.
The biodiversity values of the salt marshes and the mangrove fields cannot also be underestimated. Throughout the field study, it was evident that the salt marshes and mangroves store significant amounts of carbon.
In regards to conservation, we noted that mangrove conservation in Qatar requires urgent attention of about ten sites. These sites are among the worst affected by expansion in agricultural and other human activities such as urbanization. If documentation and awareness can be given top priority in the entire conservation process of the mangroves, then it will a lot easier to expedite development prospects, bio-geography and ethno-botany of the entire ecosystem in Qatar. Needless to say, the overall and successful management of mangroves in Qatar demand both research and conservation in order to attain the desired results. The benefits of mangroves are numerous and hence, the need to promote the biodiversity.