Turtles thrive in unique UAE wetland

A protected wetland in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become an oasis for young sea turtles, new research shows.

The study tracked nine juvenile green turtles (shell length less than 60 cm) and found they were “highly resident” in the Al Qurm Wa Lehhfaiiah Protected Area – spending over 80% of their time there.

The research also highlights that large numbers of turtles are now found in a man-made lagoon, known as a basin, built beyond existing mangroves (dense coastal ecosystems made up of salt‑tolerant trees and shrubs).

The basin was excavated in 2003 as an extension of the Khor Kalba mangroves, initially as part of plans for a larger recreational and commercial waterfront development. Although the wider project and its objectives evolved, the basin remained – and nature moved in.

Located on the UAE’s Gulf of Oman coast, the Al Qurm Wa Lehhfaiiah Protected Area has been recognised as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention and as a Key Biodiversity Area since 2013.

“Our results show just how critical coastal wetlands can be to young green turtles” said Dr Owen Exeter, from the University of Exeter.

“The fact these turtles are using the artificial basin appears to be a happy accident, and an example of how wildlife can find a way in a world increasingly shaped by humans. However, without the natural mangroves connecting to this system, it’s unlikely that this would have occurred.

“The basin floor is covered in algae, likely providing them with food, and we believe few predators – such as sharks – make their way through the mangrove into this unique habitat.”

Turtles now also show “strong reliance” on these habitats in the man-made basin, with five times higher odds of being found there than surrounding habitats.

However, while the man-made basin can provide refuge, the natural mangrove channels were found to play a vital role in connecting juvenile turtles to the sea, allowing them to move with the tides and highlighting the importance of protecting the entire ecosystem.

The study was led by the Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in collaboration with the University of Exeter through the Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre at the University of Khorfakkan.

“The government of Sharjah currently protects most of this area from building development, fishing and boating – preserving the last mangrove ecosystem on UAE’s east coast,” Dr Exeter said.

“Coastal wetlands are tropical nature hotspots, providing essential nursery and foraging habitats for species including sea turtles.

“Wetlands are among the most threatened ecosystems globally, so we urgently need to understand how key species use both modified and protected wetlands.”

While the findings are positive for juvenile turtles in the protected area, their life cycle depends on nesting beaches (many of which have been lost to coastal development) and ocean areas affected by fishing, boat and ship traffic, and pollution.

The long southwards migration by one of the tracked turtles – which swam than 700km to central Oman – highlights the need for broader conservation management for mobile species once they are old enough to leave these critical wetland sites.

Brendan Whittington-Jones, from EPAA, said: “Overall, our findings show that coastal wetlands, including engineered ones, can provide valuable habitat for juvenile turtles, provided they are designed for ecological connectivity and subsequent human pressures and threats are minimised.”

The paper, published in the journal Aquatic Conservation, is entitled: “Residency and Habitat Use of Juvenile Green Turtles in a Protected Coastal Wetland in the Gulf of Oman, United Arab Emirates.”