The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) have announced a new partnership for cooperation on ground water, soil, and biodiversity projects.
This new MoU reportedly builds on a more than 20-year strategic partnership between the two and comes against a backdrop of declining biodiversity and worsening land degradation.
According to a statement this week, the agreement will see the two parties jointly explore, design and implement a range of projects, create educational resources and facilitate knowledge-sharing.
Indeed, this week, it was outlined that the MoU will enable data sharing, allowing EAD to leverage ICBA’s available maps and data and integrate them into its own proprietary information for enhanced analysis. It will also develop a seed-sharing and exchange program focusing on native plants from Abu Dhabi and other areas of the United Arab Emirates.
Similarly, the two will conduct research on drought-resistant species to identify plants that can enhance habitat restoration efforts and will leverage ICBA’s research on marginal lands to minimise water resource use.
Here, there will also be an emphasis on building capacity by developing skills in modern irrigation systems, water management, and harvesting programmes.
On water, it was shared that the entities will adopt “advanced technologies” and best practices for efficient water use and also deploy remote-sensing and drone technologies to monitor habitats and assess environmental quality.
According to EAD and ICBA, another focus area is developing applied research on reject brine from desalination. Another investigation involves hydroponics and best practices for managing forage crops to optimise groundwater use.
Biochar research will also be conducted on both remediating contaminated land and reducing water requirements and carbon sequestration in soil, among a number of other areas.
“This new Memorandum of Understanding reaffirms our shared commitment to addressing critical challenges such as water scarcity, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss. I am confident that our continued collaboration will lead to impactful advancements in environmental sustainability, further strengthening the UAE’s leadership in these vital areas,” said Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director of EAD and Chairperson of ICBA.