@article{fec87f9f37b14d3fb9dddb353312d01b,
title = "Synthesis and evaluation of coastal and marine biodiversity spatial information in the United Arab Emirates for ecosystem-based management",
abstract = "The United Arab Emirates (UAE) host valuable coastal and marine biodiversity that is subjected to multiple pressures under extreme conditions. To mitigate impacts on marine ecosystems, the UAE protects almost 12% of its Exclusive Economic Zone. This study mapped and validated the distribution of key coastal and marine habitats, species and critical areas for their life cycle in the Gulf area of the UAE. We identified gaps in the current protection of these ecological features and assessed the quality of the data used. The overall dataset showed good data quality, but deficiencies in information for the coastline of the north-western emirates. The existing protected areas are inadequate to safeguard key ecological features such as mangroves and coastal lagoons. This study offers a solid basis to understand the spatial distribution and protection of marine biodiversity in the UAE. This information should be considered for implementing effective conservation planning and ecosystem-based management.",
keywords = "Arabian Gulf, Data quality assessment, Ecological mapping, Ecosystem-based management, Local ecological knowledge, Marine conservation, Marine spatial planning, United Arab Emirates",
author = "D. Mateos-Molina and {Ben Lamine}, E. and M. Antonopoulou and Burt, {J. A.} and Das, {H. S.} and S. Javed and J. Judas and Khan, {S. B.} and Muzaffar, {S. B.} and N. Pilcher and Rodriguez-Zarate, {C. J.} and Taylor, {O. J.S.} and S. Giakoumi",
note = "Funding Information: This project was funded by Emirates Nature - WWF. We are grateful to Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak and Emirates Nature- WWF Board of Directors for their continued support for this project. A special thanks to Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi, for her advice throughout this project. This work would not have been possible without the close cooperation with local and federal environmental authorities in the UAE: Environmental Agency Abu Dhabi, Dubai Municipality, Ajman Municipality, Ras Al Khaimah Environment Protection and Development Authority (EPDA), Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority, Umm Al Quwain Municipality and Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. We are grateful to these agencies for providing data of their own to augment the results of this work. We thank Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI) for its support. In addition, Obaid Al Shamsi, Ahmed Al Hashmi, Jane Glavan, Ibrahim A. Bugla, Mohammed Al Tayeb, Junid N. Shah, John Pereira, Fadi M. Akram, Brendan Whittington-Jones, Shaikha Hassan Ali AlShehhi, Amna Al Mansoori, Hind Al Ameri, Timothee Cook, Mouaz Hamza, Maitha Al Hameli and Mona Moller provided inputs in the project design, workshops, advice and logistics. John Burt was supported by the NYUAD Water Research Center, funded by Tamkeen under the NYUAD Research Institute Award (Project CG007). Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021 Elsevier Ltd",
year = "2021",
month = jun,
doi = "10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112319",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "167",
journal = "Marine Pollution Bulletin",
issn = "0025-326X",
publisher = "Elsevier Inc.",
}