STEP 2: GREENING THE DESERT
Creating a forest…in THE DESERT
In the interior regions of the UAE, indigenous trees have been planted across 337,000 hectares of land. These are known as manmade plantations or forests.
They will offer protection against dune invasion and sandstorms. Each of the tree varieties needs very little water to survive, making this the perfect plan!
BUT AT WHAT COST…
The UAE has been largely successful in greening both the desert and cities. However, it has come at the cost of the country’s most precious resource: water. In the Abu Dhabi Emirate alone, more than 90% of the water extracted from the ground is used for agriculture, forestry, and city amenities such as parks and gardens.
Test Your Knowledge
1. What proportion of groundwater resources is used for agriculture and greening purposes in Abu Dhabi?
2. How many hectares of trees have been planted in the interior regions of the UAE?
3. What is a key benefit of planting trees in the desert?
