Abu Dhabi: An environmental atlas of the UAE capital was launched at the Eye on Earth Abu Dhabi 2011 Summit recently.
The 200-page colour book was released by the Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi (EAD) and highlights the unique natural heritage of the emirate.
It presents the information in an engaging narrative and is interwoven with stories, case studies, facts and statistics, illustrative figures, anecdotes, photographs and thematic maps.
"The Environmental Atlas of Abu Dhabi Emirate captures the remarkable story of Abu Dhabi's natural heritage in an innovative and compelling way," said Dr Jaber Al Jaberi, Deputy Secretary-General of EAD who launched the atlas.
"Through it, we hope to promote a better understanding and greater appreciation for the unique natural heritage of the emirate of Abu Dhabi and the Arabian Gulf region,"
The EAD recently discovered unique corals in the waters of Abu Dhabi, which sustain temperatures of over 37C, with the help of an atlas, a senior official told Gulf News.
Conservation measures
"The discovery helped us to take necessary measures to conserve that ecosystem," said Dr Thabit Zahran Al Abdul Salam, Director of Marine Biodiversity Management Sector at EAD.
An atlas also helped in the discovery of a new breeding colony of flamingos in 2009 in Musaffah channel, which led the EAD to recommended the habitat be declared a protected area, said Dr Salim Javed, Head of the Bird Conservation Programme and Manager of Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring at EAD.
Developed by a team of experts, the atlas is the result of thousands of hours of research over a period of two years. It includes the most up-to-date scientifically accurate information along with rich visuals ranging from oil paintings to futuristic digital renderings.
The first half is filled with graphical and artistic depictions of the geological and cultural history, status and future of Abu Dhabi.
The second half of the atlas is dedicated to cartographic maps. These maps feature the results of studies carried out by the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI), its partners and other organisations.
Published in English and Arabic, the Environmental Atlas of Abu Dhabi Emirate is priced at Dh270 and is available in all Gulf and international leading outlets and online at www.booksarabia.com and www.ead.ae.
