?Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better?-Albert Einstein

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) defines biodiversity as the variety of life on earth and the natural patterns it forms, this refers to ecosystem, species and genetic variation.Biological diversity is a key foundation of human life. It stabilizes the Earth's climate, renews soil fertility and provides goods and services, including food and medicine, that contribute to our well-being.Despite its importance, unsustainable patterns of production and consumption and other harmful practices continue to destroy, at an unprecedented rate, the diversity of life that sustains us.In addition, poverty and other social and economic factors contribute to the exploitation of biological diversity to alleviate hunger, sickness and severe living conditions.

To address this challenge, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was launched at the Earth Summit of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.The CBD is an international agreement that commits its parties to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and the equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.To celebrate biodiversity and accomplishments under the CBD, May 22 has been established as the International Day for Biological Diversity. Each year, countries around the world celebrate this special day in different ways.

 Biodiversity conservation is a key pillar in promoting environmental sustainability in the country. This initiative is a strategic priority for the Ministry and is in line with UAE Vision 2021.The UAE  continues to be an active player at the relevant international conventions, organizations and meetings where it mobilizes regional and international efforts to protect biodiversity and combat illegal trade in endangered species of wild flora and fauna.

Five sites in the UAE were recognized for their rich and unique environmental biodiversity during a regional meeting hosted by the UAE Government. The sites were evaluated based on the criteria established at the ninth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which included biological uniqueness or rarity, with special emphasis on the stages and phases of local species? life cycle.The recently concluded regional workshop on Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSA) in the north-western Indian Ocean and Gulf-

Jebel Ali-This area in Dubai is where the endangered hawksbill sea turtle nests. Dolphins are also frequent visitors here, particularly Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins.

Khor Kalba-This area is home to endemic species of birds as well as crabs, molluscs and reptiles.

Abu Dhabi?s southwest waters-These are home to mangroves, seagrass beds, coral reefs, algal mats and sabkhas. They support an important spectrum of marine life including seabirds and migratory waders, a large population of endangered hawksbill turtles, and dugongs.

Sir Bu Na?air Island-This protected area off Sharjah is home to more than 300 hawksbill turtle nests every year, the largest nesting population in the UAE. It also serves as a breeding ground for sea bird.

Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve-This area in Abu Dhabi is especially important to migratory and endangered species. It also supports the second-largest population of dugongs in the world after Australia. It provides crucial nurseries and spawning grounds for a wide variety of fish species, and serves as a foraging habitat for endangered hawksbill turtles and green turtles.

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Public awareness campaigns, Establishment of protected areas,  Biodiversity conservation of habitats e g coral reefs sea Biodiversity conservation of habitats e.g. coral reefs, sea grass beds & rocky beaches, Protection of  locally and regionally endangered species e.g. dugongs, sea turtles, sea birds, whales and sharks, Emirates Marine Environmental Group.

Current biodiversity ?preservation? related activities:-

Biodiversity education programme at Ghantoot Reserve.

Marine patrolling patrolling at Sir Bani Yas and the Discovery and the Discovery Islands.

Turtle nesting and ecological monitoring.

Patrolling and ecological monitoring at Waterfront & Palm Jebel Ali

Turtle monitoring and tagging program, Beach and marine refuse clean-up throughout Palm Jebel Ali and Waterfront Dubai,Habitat monitoring and assessment, Education programme ,Marine macroalgae removal, Water quality monitoring program,  Coral translocation from Waterfront City to Palm Jebel Ali Crescent Breakwater

Education Programme-Presentations on local marine wildlife Mangrove planting Sea turtle biology & conservation  Beach and dune clean-ups Bird watching for local wetland and coastal birds  Hamour conservation. Introduction to fish farming (advantages & disadvantages)Natural history scavenger hunts. Desert plants: identification & medicinal properties • History of pearl diving in the UAEInteractions with local wildlifeTraditional fishing, cooking, dancing, sailing and falconry.Habitat & wildlife monitoring, Monthly bird counts at Ghantoot, Sea grass bed surveys,  Wildlife sightings e.g. dolphins, feeding turtles, fishes etc.,Coral trans location monitoring.

Issues Sharks and rays require Conservation Action Plans,CITES is not working for protection of many heavily exploited fisheries resources, Socotra cormorant requires Conservation Action Plan, Management of no-take zones in Marine Protected Areas, Protected Areas.

 Around 678 terrestrial plant species grow in the UAE: many are adapted to survive in extreme desert environments. These kind of plants are salt resistance or Halophytic plants. Rare Plants Found in UAE- The Arabian oxeye (Anvillea garcinii) is a woody perennial shrub with crinkly, oval, grey or grey-green leaves.

Capparis cartilaginea is a small, scrubby tree which grows by spreading or ?scrambling? over rocks. It has long, hairless stems which are typically bent and twisted, with white-grey or yellowish-green bark, coated in a waxy or powdery bloom. 

Existing Animals Species in UAE

 In a country with very little freshwater and high temperatures amphibians with delicate moist skin can survive, two amphibian species are found in the UAE: the Arabian toad and the Dhofar toad. 
The tropical seas off the coast of the UAE are home to a rich diversity of marine fish, with over 500 species recorded.
Invertebrates dominate the fauna of the United Arab Emirates, both in terms of species and population numbers. The UAE is believed to be home to between 5,000 and 10,000 insect species.

The UAE is a haven for birdwatchers: in addition to the more than 100 species that regularly breed here, large numbers of migratory birds also visit the UAE, bringing the total number of bird species to date to 442.

The UAE reaffirms its commitment to conservation of the environment in general and biological diversity in particular. UAE considers the issue of conserving biological diversity as one of the priorities identified by the National Environmental Strategy and Action Plan for which it devised a number of strategies and policies.

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