According to a report by the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi, 149 species of exotic species are being monitored in the Abu Dhabi environment, comprising 71 species of birds, 50 species of invertebrates, eight species of plants, seven mammals, six species of reptiles, five species of freshwater fish, In addition to two types of amphibians, and cause environmental and economic damage, while the Commission explained to «Emirates Today» to implement a plan to combat exotic species in the emirate.
The most exotic alien species are rock pigeons, Indian enamel, black rat, domestic mouse, tilapia, palm weevil and al-Ghwaif plant, according to the report on alien species control in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
He pointed out that the dry climate in the UAE helps to limit the number of species that are able to propagate and type, where most invasive alien species have been able to spread mainly in converted and degraded environments, noting that the types of invasive plants, animals and organisms that are invasive, Following a survey conducted as part of the National Wildlife Sustainability Program, with the aim of developing, combating, and eradicating an integrated federal plan for the control of alien species using the latest environmentally friendly means of control, A program to identify, monitor and manage some invasive alien species, affecting the local environment of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The report noted that alien species are species that have been introduced or spread outside their natural past or their current distribution, either intentionally or unintentionally, where alien species are considered invasive if they become in an environment that is not indigenous in a way that threatens the original habitats, ecosystems or species found in This environment.
The report attributed the arrival of exotic organisms to the UAE environment to increased human travel by land, air and sea, market globalization, expansion in the trade and shipping industries, natural habitat conversion, urbanization and the growing threat to local and global biodiversity, Other threats to local species, including climate change, pollution, habitat loss and human-induced disorders.
He pointed out that the direct and indirect environmental and economic damage caused by extraneous organisms includes the competition of natural habitat species for habitat and food, causing them to clutter in their natural environments, which leads to deterioration and continuous decline. In addition, the presence and spread of these species affect economically, Especially that these species have the ability to spread within the farms, and therefore the competition of cultivated plants, or the presence of large numbers of exotic and gaseous birds near the airports, and the impact of the movement of aviation, in addition to what caused by red palm weevils J infect the palm trees of considerable material losses, cost control is difficult and, in addition to corroding palm tree completely.
The Abu Dhabi Environment Agency (EAD) today confirmed that it is implementing a plan to combat exotic and invasive birds in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, targeting four main types: rock bath, Indian mina, domestic crow and Indian parrot.
The plan aims to protect biodiversity and public health in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi by controlling and eliminating the most important species of exotic birds in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and reducing its environmental damage by using the latest environmentally friendly means of control. This plan is associated with an awareness campaign implemented by the Commission to identify alien species that can constitute dangerous pests on local biodiversity.
The Commission explained that it has developed guidelines for invasive species to help the general public identify plants, birds, insects, mammals and fish that can cause damage to local wildlife, noting that the responsibility to control and prevent the infiltration of these organisms is distributed to stakeholders and individuals, including ordinary citizens and residents , Where the relevant government authorities to develop and adopt controls and policies and the development of control plans, in addition to the issuance of necessary legislation and the prohibition of the introduction and circulation of these types.
She pointed out that at the commercial level, owners of animal shops, dealing with different animal species and nurseries, must be committed not to trade in these species or bring them to the state in different ways, while individuals have a great responsibility, which is the need not to deal with these species, Their possession should not be disposed of by launching them within cities or in the wild.
Rock bath, Indian enamel and black rat months exotic species.