Mangroves in the Sultanate of Oman are facing climate change

Weather of Arabia - In wet and lively areas in the Omani capital, Muscat, environmental researcher Zakia Al-Afifi measures the bark of mangrove trees and estimates their ability to absorb carbon dioxide, which contributes to the slow rise in global temperatures.

Al-Afifi stood, surrounded by dense mangrove trees, in the mangrove reserve, which provided her with shade and protection from the scorching sun. In this context, she pointed out that the mangrove forest, which covers an area of up to 80 hectares, has the ability to sequester thousands of tons of carbon dioxide.

“Mangroves are considered the richest source of carbon in the world,” Al-Afifi, wearing boots and a white coat, noted as she led a group of students at her university around the swamp.

The Sultanate of Oman plays an important role in confronting climate change

When coastal trees and plants become part of efforts to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide, Oman, an oil-producing country in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula, will play a leading role in this field, which is rich in hydrocarbon resources.

Inspired by the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said, a pioneering conservationist who died in 2020, Oman has become a hub in the Gulf region for mangrove restoration and conservation. Mangroves remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at a faster rate than other forests and store it in their soil and sediments for longer periods.

“Mangroves are considered one of the natural solutions to combat climate change,” said Al-Afifi, 41.

She explained that up to 80 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare could be stored in the plants and trees that cover the coastal lands in the mangroves, and the amounts may be larger in the surrounding soil.

Mangroves in the Sultanate of Oman face climate change

Oman, an oil-producing country in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula, is progressing rapidly in a project to revive forests that have been extinct for thousands of years due to climate change. Oman is seeking to address the threats of climate change by replanting mangroves on the coast. These trees quickly absorb carbon dioxide and store it in their soil, which contributes to reducing harmful emissions.

The forest restoration project in Oman comes as part of its response to climate change and combating the negative phenomena resulting from global warming. Since 2001, this initiative has contributed to the restoration of biodiversity areas along the coasts. Millions of seeds have been planted, and these efforts are expected to increase in the future.

Zakia Al-Afifi, an ecologist who measures the bark of mangrove trees, noted the importance of mangroves in combating climate change and storing carbon. “If we don't restore more forests, that means we might lose them one day” to climate change, she said.

Oman’s efforts to restore life to mangroves demonstrate its commitment to protecting the environment and its contribution to addressing climate change, a global challenge facing humanity.

The reclamation project in Oman is developing slowly, as efforts have begun by planting mangrove nurseries and using drones to spread the seeds. However, after disappointing results, emphasis was placed on direct and targeted agriculture. The Sultanate is planting trees to help achieve carbon credit targets and offset carbon emissions.

The project aims to revive the forests that previously covered the country and which have become extinct as a result of climate change. These efforts reflect Oman's commitment to combating climate change and protecting the environment. It seeks to achieve a balance between production and environmental preservation and contribute to efforts to combat climate change.

Oman has signed a contract with MSA to plant 100 million trees over a period of four years. This project is expected to contribute to the removal of millions of tons of carbon dioxide and the production of carbon certification certificates. These efforts demonstrate dedication to protecting the environment and achieving sustainability.

Source: britannica