🌍 Coastal Wetlands of the Arabian Peninsula: Vital Arteries for Biodiversity and Climate Resilience

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The coastal wetlands of the Arabian Peninsula are more than scenic views — they are life-support systems for hundreds of species. These ecosystems stretch from Saudi Arabia to Oman, Yemen to Iraq, and form a mosaic of mangroves, lagoons, tidal flats, coral reefs and more.

🐦 Lifeline for Birds & Marine Species

Over 330 species of migratory birds depend on these wetlands as stopovers on the Afro-Eurasian Flyway. From flamingos to cormorants, these areas provide critical food, shelter, and breeding grounds.

“The coastal wetlands of the Arabian Peninsula are irreplaceable ecosystems rich in biodiversity, deeply intertwined with local cultures and essential for climate resilience.”
— Ibrahim Khader, BirdLife Middle East

🌊 Endangered Icons: Socotra Cormorant & Greater Flamingo

  • Socotra Cormorant: Listed as Vulnerable, faces oil pollution, human disturbance, and coastal degradation.
  • Greater Flamingo: An iconic filter feeder, signals healthy wetlands, nests in Al Wathba Reserve, UAE.

    • 🚨 Urgent Threats

    These wetlands are under severe threat from:

    • Urban development and land reclamation
    • Pollution from oil spills and industrial waste
    • Climate change effects like rising sea levels

    🛡️ Regional Conservation Action

    BirdLife International’s initiative “Coastal Wetlands of the Arabian Peninsula” focuses on research, conservation, and policy. Target sites include:

    • Masirah Island (Oman)
    • Barr Al Hikman (Oman)
    • Farasan Islands (Saudi Arabia)
    • Socotra (Yemen)
    • Madinat Yanbu al-Sinaiyah (Saudi Arabia)

      • 🤝 People, Policy, and Preservation

      By engaging local communities, governments, NGOs, and scientists, the initiative aims to protect coastal biodiversity while supporting sustainable development.

      Birds are indicators of environmental health.
      Their decline is a signal — and a call to action.

      📚 Learn More

      • BirdLife International
      • IUCN Red List
      • Ramsar Convention
      • Al Wathba Reserve – EAD

      Article by Natural World 50 · Published July 31, 2025

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