Traditional practices passed down through generations of coastal communities – from selective harvesting to seasonal protection – have played a key role in sustaining mangroves, as their ecological and medicinal value has been confirmed by scientists, according to a recently published study.
The study, titled ‘Gray mangrove (Avicennia marina): Ecological resilience, cultural heritage and sustainable conservation in the arid Arab region’, was conducted by an international team of researchers in the UAE, Egypt and Pakistan and published in the Regional Studies in Marine Science peer-reviewed academic journal.
“The gray mangrove (Avicennia marina) is integral to coastal life in the arid Arab region,” researchers explained, in the abstract of the study.
“It can thrive in extreme conditions such as high salinity, scorching temperatures and drought.
“As a result, it supports a rich web of marine and terrestrial species and offers a natural shield against coastal erosion and storm surges.
“Its intricate root systems stabilise shorelines and help protect the coastal areas from the impacts of rising sea levels.”
The study was conducted by Abdelrahman Alblooshi, Ali Elkeblawy, Soumya Manikandan, Maria Hasnain, Rida Zainab and Sameh Soliman.
They noted that Bahrain and other GCC countries were once home to extensive mangrove forests but today, much of this cover is facing challenges due to land reclamation, industrial activity and urban expansion, leaving them fragmented and vulnerable.
The study also noted that overlaps, gaps and contradictory policies by various public stakeholders have impacted mangrove protection initiatives. “Mangrove coverage and restoration success vary widely in the region,” researchers noted.
“For instance, Saudi Arabia currently hosts approximately 20,400 hectares (ha) of mangroves, whereas the UAE manages around 7,445ha, with Bahrain retaining less than 80ha.
“While countries such as the UAE have achieved notable gains in mangrove coverage – an increase of over 2000ha between 2017 and 2024 through AI-assisted monitoring and proactive restoration – others, like Bahrain and parts of Saudi Arabia, have faced ongoing habitat loss, with reductions in mangrove area of up to 31 per cent over recent decades.”
Researchers found that traditional practices, once common among Bahrain’s coastal communities, could help save mangroves. These included collecting only fallen branches for fuel, limiting harvesting during breeding seasons for fish and shellfish, and using mangrove bark and leaves sparingly for traditional medicine.
The paper comes as Bahrain continues efforts to restore and protect remaining mangrove areas, including replanting initiatives in Tubli Bay and environmental rehabilitation projects linked to coastal development.
In 2021, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, speaking at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Scotland, announced that Bahrain would quadruple mangrove coverage – and double tree coverage – by 2035 as part of its efforts to reach net-zero by 2060.
In addition to these efforts, researchers said that mangrove restoration must come with community involvement, as traditional knowledge about their sustainable harvesting and conservation has been found to be crucial for their survival, while rapid urbanisation, pollution, overharvesting and climate change have destroyed their habitats.
“Research has also documented various phytochemicals in the species with promising health benefits including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities,” the study found.
“Balancing these biomedical opportunities with sustainable conservation practices will ensure that Avicenna marina continues to thrive.”
The authors stress that this medicinal promise should not lead to unregulated harvesting, and instead are calling for managed, community-led approaches that protect mangrove ecosystems while allowing sustainable use for research and education.
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