PROJECT REPORT
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT Dear friend, Thanks to your support, a total of 10,000 trees were planted to restore 0.8 hectares of land in Dubai. Planting trees in areas that have been degraded or deforested helps the environment by accelerating and assuring the re-establishment of healthy forests. Through reforestation, the canopy is restored, ecosystems are made whole, and biodiversity can thrive. None of this would be possible without you. On behalf of everyone at One Tree Planted, thank you! What follows is a report outlining the project you supported in the United Arab Emirates. I hope you enjoy reading it and truly feel the impact you have made.
OVERVIEW
Mangroves are the only species of trees in the world that can tolerate salt water. They are halophytes, meaning they can tolerate salt and are able to live in areas where oceans and seas meet the land. The mangroves of the United Arab Emirates are comprised exclusively of the highly salt-tolerant Grey Mangrove. These trees cover more than 150 square kilometres of the UAE's coastline, acting as a "green lung" for big cities such as Abu Dhabi and Dubai while providing habitat for coastal wildlife. As the mangroves grow, they will help protect the UAE ecosystem and mitigate climate change.
TREES PLANTED 10,000
TREE SPECIES PLANTED 1
WOMEN INVOLVED 2
HECTARES REFORESTED 0.8
JOBS SUPPORTED 8
WILDLIFE SPECIES BENEFITED 15
TREE SPECIES PLANTED Due to the ability of mangroves to sequester carbon, they help reduce the negative impact of greenhouse gases – mainly produced by burning fossil fuels. Mangrove trees sequester and store carbon dioxide (CO2) at a rate two to five times greater per equivalent area than tropical forests. This means that conserving and restoring mangrove forests is essential to fighting climate change.
SPECIE PLANTED
THROUGH THIS PROJECT Grey Mangrove (Avicennia marina)
THE MANGROVE IS A UNIQUE TREE, WHICH MAKES ITS PROTECTION A MATTER OF GREAT IMPORTANCE. MANGROVES ACT AS FILTERS FOR NUTRIENTS AND SEDIMENTS, REDUCE EROSION AND HELP MAINTAIN WATER QUALITY, PROVIDE HABITAT FOR MANY SPECIES AND PROTECT THE SHORELINE AGAINST STORMS, MAKING THEM CRUCIAL TO THE LIVELIHOODS OF MANY COASTAL COMMUNITIES. THEY ARE THE DOMINANT COASTAL VEGETATION OF THE ARABIAN PENINSULA, OCCUPYING ONE OF THE DRIEST MANGROVE HABITATS IN THE WORLD. UNFORTUNATELY, MANGROVE FORESTS HAVE SHRUNK SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS, WITH AROUND 35% OF MANGROVE FORESTS LOST GLOBALLY
YOUR IMPACT ON THE MAP The mangroves of the United Arab Emirates are comprised exclusively of the highly salt-tolerant Grey Mangrove. These trees cover more than 150 square kilometres of the UAE's coastline, acting as a "green lung" for big cities such as Abu Dhabi and Dubai while providing habitat for coastal wildlife. As the mangroves grow, they will help protect the UAE ecosystem and mitigate climate change.
DOCUMENTING YOUR IMPACT Through authentic and informative storytelling, we help donors relate to the people who plant their trees and to the impact they're making for the planet. We share photos, videos, and updates from our global projects across our social media, website, and other media to create a personal connection to the incredible work happening on the ground.
PHOTOS FROM YOUR PROJECT
BIODIVERSITY BENEFITS Between the open water and shorelines, mangrove forests are critical to coastal ecosystems. Mangrove systems provide various ecological functions and values, from habitat for economically and ecologically valuable fisheries, birds and marine wildlife to shoreline protection from storms, erosion, and sedimentation. Mangrove forests are found in intertidal areas and are important in preventing coastline erosion caused by wave action and ocean currents. Together with shellfish and seagrass communities, mangroves also serve to protect and improve the quality of coastal and nearshore waters and represent an essential coastal resource for the region. As the trees grow, they will provide an ideal habitat and safe breeding ground for fish species, crab, shells, barnacles, oysters, phytoplankton, sponges, turtles and even commercially-significant shrimp, snapper, grunt fish and sea bream. Trees will also provide a haven for bird nesting, migrating & egg lying.
COMMUNITY
BENEFITS
Despite the ecological and economic importance of the species in the region, mangrove forests are under threat, and immediate action is required to restore the native ecosystem. Healthy mangrove forests positively impact the community by providing cleaner and fresher air. Due to the ability of mangroves to sequester carbon, they help reduce the negative impact of greenhouse gases – mainly produced by burning fossil fuels. Mangrove trees sequester and store carbon dioxide (CO2) at a rate two to five times greater per equivalent area than tropical forests. This means that conserving and restoring mangrove forests is essential to fighting climate change in coastal regions.
U.N. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS THIS PROJECT CONTRIBUTED TO THE FOLLOWING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:
WHAT ARE SDGS? Sustainable development entails seeking out solutions that not only boost the economic outcomes of developing and poorer nations, but also work to limit (or eliminate) our impact on the planet. Trees are one such solution. From creating jobs and reducing hunger to improving gender equality, cleaning air and water, absorbing carbon, protecting life on land and water, and more, planting trees can address all 17 sustainable development goals.
"Despite being trees, Mangroves have twisted roots and branches that resemble thin stilts, holding them above the sand and water. These roots keep them safe from high-impact waves from the ever-changing tide. Their thick waxy leaves also act as a filter that repels salt from the water. Not only have Mangroves shown to be adaptable trees, but they are critical for protecting coasts and endangered species and helping fight the global climate crisis."
KM Reyes
Project Manager Asia Pacific