Did you know that the name of the capital of this country, Abu Dhabi, means ‘Father of the Gazelle? The biodiversity of a region depends on the climate, land forms and availability of water. Around the world, about 1.75 million species of plants and animals have been identified so far and most of them are small creatures such as insects.
The UAE is a land of empty sandy deserts, mountains and coastline. You’re wrong, think again. The biodiversity in this country can amaze you!
Birds
Most of us who live in the cities cannot imagine that this country is home to many species of birds. What we see in the gardens dotting the city are not species that are native to the region. You may spot pigeons, doves, sparrows, starlings, bulbuls and even crows.
Desert Plants & Animals
The animals in the desert are special because they can survive on very little water.
They tend to be nocturnal, which means they are active at night because it is cooler.
Most desert plants survive with very little water. You might think of cacti as the most abundant plant species in the UAE, but you are wrong! We have no cacti here. The Ghaf and the Acacia tortilis are the most common trees.
We have many species of shrubs and plants that have thick stems and leaves to hold water. Some of these plants have very attractive blooms that fill the valleys among the sand dunes with a riot of colour when it rains!
Even today, we use some of the leaves and the fruits of these plants as medicines, as in any other country. Surprised, eh?
Reptiles
There are many species of reptiles too, of which the dhub or the spiny tailed lizard is common, as is the sand viper. Among the marine species, the dugong, the green turtle and the Hawksbill turtle are endangered.