Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity

Eight species of mammal, 242 bird, 29 reptile, one amphibian and 228 species of invertebrate have been recorded in the terrestrial ecosystems. The flora consists of 371 species of flowering plant [ ] 185 Harmony between economic growth, social development and environmen- tal protection Qatar’s National Vision 2030, developed in 2008, rests on four key pillars: human, social, economic and environmental development. In the fourth pillar, the national vision is to manage the environment such that there is harmony between econom- ic growth, social development and environmental protection: “The State of Qatar seeks to preserve and protect its unique environment and nurture the abundance of nature granted by God. Accordingly, development will be carried out with responsibility and respect, balancing the needs of eco- nomic growth and social development with the conditions for environmental protection.’’ Biodiversity conserva- tion relates to all four of the national vision’s key pillars; without nature and natural resources there can be no social or economic development. Legislation has been enacted to deal with habitat protection and spe- cies conservation, addressing issues such as overgrazing, hunting, and wildlife trade. Programmes are being pursued for the protection of endan- gered species such as marine turtles and the mangroves on the east coast. Qatar has established five terrestrial protected areas (PAs) accounting for about 18 per cent of total land area, and three marine PAs, nearly all hab- itat types being represented in the PA network. Also, two new sites are being proposed for designation as PAs. Qatar has achieved a substantial increase in the coverage of the PA system by the designation of new areas. Several PAs serve as sites for the restoration of endangered wildlife species through reintroductions. The restoration of the wild-extinct Arabian oryx constitutes a remark- able model in this respect. A small founding herd was successfully bred in captivity at the Arabian oryx Breeding Centre and animals from this stock were reintroduced in three reserves: Shahanya, Ushaijrij and Al- mazhabyah. The Rheem gazelle that became locally extinct was also rein- troduced following successful captive breeding. The reintroduced popula- tions have grown to 650 Arabian oryx and 3,500 Rheem gazelles. The past reintroductions, however, have been in fenced reserves, and now they are being released into open protected ar- eas as fully free ranging animals. The research work in the PAs is being expanded and management plans are being revised. SCENR is also seeking ways to improve local community participation in the man- agement of PAs. Hoopoe Qatar Q atar has an arid climate, hot between June and August and more pleasant between November and February. The country has very little variation in its geography, most of the surface being plain with small, scattered carbonate mountains in the north and sand dunes in the south-east. The remaining areas are either stony or soft soil. The flora and fauna are unique and well adapted to the hot and arid environment. The basic habitat types include mangroves, sabkha, sand dunes, Hammada desert (rocks and gravel), rocky ecosystems, wadies and runnels, and depressions that collect fine sand. Approximately 1,900 wild species have been documented, including 1,000 terrestrial and 900 marine species. Ziad Hunesh on flickr