The role of Bahraini mangroves in trapping carbon and combating climate change has been highlighted in a recent joint study conducted by academics from Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Titled ‘Mangrove forestation for CO2 sequestration, sustainable renewable energy and high-value carbons’, the comprehensive study explains the ecological significance of mangroves and potential applications of mangrove biomass.
It was put together by Bahrain University department of chemical engineering’s S M Zakir Hossain, Mohamed Bin Shams, Tefla Alromaihi, Almaha Alfaihani, Muneera Alkowari and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals department of chemical engineering’s Shaikh Abdur Razzak and Mohammad Hossain.
The study was recently made available online, and is set to be published in the October edition of the peer-reviewed Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments journal.
The study states that the significant decline of mangrove reserves in Bahrain has led to less carbon storage and thus less sequestration.
“Due to land reclamation, the mangrove covering decreased from 328 hectares to 48 hectares from 1967 to 2020,” it says.
“The mangroves’ overall carbon storage decreased from 34,932.2 megagrams of carbon per hectare to 5,112.
“Thus, the potential carbon sequestration dropped from 128,200.44 megagrams of CO2 equivalent per hectare to 18,761.04.
“Mangrove forests are economically and ecologically important for coastal ecosystems all over the globe.
“The carbon sequestration capacity of mangrove ecosystems makes them valuable contributors to climate change mitigation efforts.”
(A megagram is equal to 1,000kg or one metric tonne.)
Most of Bahrain’s mangrove reserves are situated in Ras Sanad, Tubli Bay and Arad Bay, with smaller patches found in Ras Hayan, Nabih Saleh, Sitra and Aker. The kingdom hosts just one species – the Avicennia marina, also known as the grey mangrove.
Unlike many other mangrove species, the grey mangrove is well-adapted to survive in arid conditions, making it particularly suited for the coastal climate of Bahrain.
Tubli Bay is a marine protected area and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance site since 1997.
(A Ramsar Wetland of International Importance is a wetland designated under the Ramsar Convention (Convention on Wetlands) for its ecological significance).
These wetlands are recognised for their biodiversity, particularly their importance for waterfowl, and are protected under international co-operation.
The Ramsar Convention, named after the city in Iran where it was adopted in 1971, aims to halt the worldwide loss of wetlands and ensure their wise use.
The mangroves in Tubli Bay have played an important role as nurseries for shrimp and fish, offering habitat for more than 45 species of migratory and resident birds, and supporting biodiversity. Furthermore, they serve as a natural barrier against coastal erosion, mitigating the impacts of storms and tsunamis.
After facing major threats in the past from land reclamation, pollution and sewage outflows, Bahrain is now aiming to quadruple the number of mangrove trees by 2035 from 400,000 to 1.6 million.
According to the study, mangrove forests play a crucial role in climate change mitigation through their unique ability to sequester carbon, particularly in their biomass and soils, known as blue carbon.
“They sequester carbon at rates significantly higher than terrestrial forests, making them vital for offsetting carbon dioxide emissions,” it said.
“Mangrove wood and plant biomass can be used for renewable energy production, including heat generation through burning or gasification, and electricity production via steam turbines. Additionally, mangroves can serve as feedstocks.
“The wood from mangroves, known for its durability and decay resistance, can be used in construction, boat building and furniture making.
“The leaves and bark may be employed in traditional practices such as thatching and crafting. Furthermore, mangrove biomass can be processed to extract tannins, dyes and natural compounds.
“Mangrove biomass can be converted into biofuels such as biochar, bio-oil and biogas through technologies like pyrolysis, gasification and anaerobic digestion, offering sustainable alternatives to traditional fossil fuels.”
Despite the potential use of mangrove biomass in Bahrain, however, the study warns of the over-exploitation of such resources and stated that if not managed properly, it could have a counter-effect on the kingdom’s fight against climate change.
It said that the increasing demand for mangrove biomass for biofuels and other value-added products raises concerns about the impact on both the carbon sequestration process and local ecosystems.
“Unsustainable exploitation can disrupt carbon storage, harm biodiversity and reduce the resilience of mangroves to environmental pressures.
“Therefore, it is essential to balance the economic and energy benefits derived from mangrove biomass with the need to preserve their ecological functions.
“Sustainable management practices, including selective harvesting and replanting, are critical to ensuring that mangrove forests continue to provide climate mitigation and ecosystem services in the long term.
“The critical status of the mangroves in Tubli Bay emphasises the importance of their preservation for biodiversity, coastal resilience and carbon sequestration.
“Therefore, any suggestion of utilising biomass would focus solely on sustainable, non-destructive sources, such as agricultural or forestry byproducts, which do not threaten the environmental integrity of protected ecosystems.
“Protecting and restoring mangrove habitats emerge as critical strategies for sustaining and augmenting their role in carbon sequestration.”
A number of projects and initiatives have been launched by Bahrain to protect and preserve mangroves.
The Bahrain Mangroves Initiative aims to significantly increase mangrove coverage in Bahrain, with the goal of quadrupling it by 2035.
This initiative is part of Bahrain’s broader strategy to achieve carbon net-zero neutrality by 2060 and aligns with international climate action goals.
Meanwhile, there is also the Forever Green campaign, being run by the National Initiative for Agricultural Development, which focuses on afforestation and greening efforts.
A significant part of the initiative is dedicated to planting and restoring mangrove ecosystems, recognising their vital role in protecting coastlines, supporting marine life and combating climate change.
In 2022, the UAE donated more than 250,000 seeds to help the campaign. Since then, mangrove saplings and seeds have been planted across the kingdom.
More than 2,000 saplings were planted along the western coast of Aker and more than 20,000 in Ras Hayyan and Umm Al Nassan each.
The GDN was recently taken on a field visit to the Arad Bay Protected Area and Park to mark International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem on July 27 with the aim to raise awareness about the crucial role of mangrove ecosystems and promote their sustainable management, conservation and use.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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