1) Desert ecosystem (80% of the country?s area)

 2) Mountain ecosystem (2.6% of the country?s area) and

 3) Coastal and marine ecosystem (2390 km of which belong to the Arabian Gulf and Sea     of Oman).

   Yet, being a meeting point between the Indo-Asian and Afro-European countries, it has comparatively richer flora and fauna, with 731 plant species, 48 mammal species, 440 bird species, 40 varieties of coral reefs, 500 fish species, 4 turtle species and countless marine mammal species, 109 varieties of algae, 67 amphibian and reptile species.

 Invertebrates densely populate the tidal rocky zone and especially in creeks (2636 species have been identified in addition to 15 varieties of spiders). In 2013, the number of declared protected areas reached 22, covering 6841 km2, including 5 areas listed under the Ramsar Convention. 

Biodiversity protection, such as the conservation of the endangered Arab Falcon and the protection of camel diversity, plays a vital role in UAE?s cultural legacy. Fisheries and tourism stand as significant parts of the UAE economy these services target to analyse the opportunities in creating a local greener UAE through a better comprehension of carbon, coastal ecosystem services as well as their potential contribution to climate change mitigation efforts.

 The absence of arable land, invasive alien species, climate change, red tide occurrences, overgrazing, over use of marine resources, water desalination, waste water and tourism are majorly stymying the initiatives to protect biodiversity. In addition, the aim to increase the area under cultivation has culminated in the rapid plummet of underground aquifers, resulting in precipitous drops in water tables and serious increase in soil and water salinity in certain areas. Desertification is another major growing issue, and oil spills, especially along the coast, severely contaminate several areas.

 Immense efforts are made by the UAE to preserve biodiversity. Numerous official decrees have been issued locally or at the federal level by the UAE to conserve biodiversity and its habitats. In addition, the UAE has ratified biodiversity and environment-related international conventions and signed regional agreements that enhance and conserve biodiversity. 

Noteworthy progress has been made with regard to furthering the Convention on Biological Diversity implementation in response to the objectives set out by ?UAE Vision 2021?. It integrates instruments that include: 

• Various legislative acts adopted by the UAE for the conservation of biodiversity. 

• Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Sectoral and Cross-Sectoral Strategies. 

• Implementing the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative. 

• Execution of many biodiversity education and awareness programmes. 

 With the amalgamation of active participating from the UAE residents and the regional efforts from the UAE government, Biological Diversity will soon be devoid of any form of harm and destruction in the near future.

 CreditsConvention on Biological Diversity, Google Images