Mangroves and coastal ecosystems are increasingly recognised as fundamental components of environmental resilience, functioning as vital habitats that sustain biodiversity and mitigate climate impacts.
In the United Arab Emirates, advancing science-led approaches to protect these ecosystems is a key national objective. Championing this cause, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and ALEC Engineering and Contracting LLC - SPC (ALEC), a subsidiary of ALEC Holdings PJSC, have formally launched a pioneering three-year mangrove hydrological restoration pilot project. The initiative aims to determine whether reinstating the natural hydrological conditions of degraded mangrove areas can successfully guide the ecosystem back to long-term ecological health.
The science of mangrove hydrological restoration
Rather than focusing solely on traditional replanting methods, this collaborative three-year project prioritises the underlying environmental conditions necessary for mangrove habitats to recover and thrive autonomously. By examining how hydrological restoration interacts with ecological protection, the initiative seeks to deliver durable, nature-positive outcomes. The pilot is expected to establish crucial baseline data that will strengthen the scientific understanding of mangrove hydrology across Abu Dhabi. Ultimately, the insights gathered will be instrumental in shaping the planning and execution of future ecosystem restoration initiatives throughout the region.
Collaborative roles and project implementation
To ensure the project yields robust and actionable data, EAD is spearheading the scientific planning and practical implementation of the pilot. The agency's comprehensive approach includes several targeted phases:
Conducting rigorous ecological and hydrological assessments.
Managing precise site selection to identify areas in critical need of restoration.
Identifying and executing the necessary restoration interventions on the ground.
Monitoring and reporting on the project’s outcomes against strictly defined biodiversity indicators.
A corporate commitment to natural heritage
As a major engineering and construction group whose activities extensively interface with land and water resources, ALEC acknowledges the importance of enhancing natural habitats. Earlier in 2026, the organisation signed the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative Partners Pledge, cementing its dedication to conserving blue carbon ecosystems and minimising its environmental impact. This current partnership represents ALEC’s first flagship investment in nature restoration that features measurable biodiversity outcomes, further integrating environmental considerations into its broader sustainability strategy. The collaboration was formalised following the fourth annual Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative Partners Meeting, held on 8 October 2026 at the Rixos Saadiyat Hotel.
Institutional perspectives
Highlighting the environmental significance of the collaboration, Maitha Mohamed Al Hameli, Acting Executive Director, Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, stated: “We welcome ALEC’s support for this pilot, which reflects the kind of long-term, science-based commitment the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative was established to encourage. The findings will strengthen our understanding of how mangrove sites respond to restored hydrological conditions and will inform how we plan future restoration in the emirate. Through this pilot, we aim to build the scientific evidence needed for long-term solutions that safeguard Abu Dhabi’s mangroves, a defining feature of the emirate’s natural heritage.”
Furthermore, Sean McQue, Managing Director - ALEC, noted: “Abu Dhabi is a capital defined by extraordinary ambition, creating next-generation cultural and visitor experiences while protecting the natural heritage that gives the emirate its identity. For ALEC, this partnership is an important step in turning our commitment to nature into tangible action. As our first biodiversity restoration investment, the project enables us to contribute directly to the protection and restoration of Abu Dhabi’s mangrove ecosystems, while supporting a science-led approach that will generate measurable biodiversity outcomes. Through this pilot, we are supporting the development of the knowledge, evidence and practical understanding needed to help these vital ecosystems recover and thrive. In doing so, we are proud to support Abu Dhabi’s ambition to protect its natural heritage and contribute to a more resilient future for the emirate.”
Community engagement and future outlook
The initiative extends beyond scientific research, creating avenues for community involvement. Employees across the ALEC Holdings group will have opportunities to participate in environmental awareness programmes, educational workshops, and volunteering activities. Through citizen-science monitoring, this endeavour complements the UAE’s national climate targets and ensures that Abu Dhabi's blue carbon ecosystems are preserved.
Abu Dhabi launches hydrological mangrove restoration pilot
Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and ALEC Engineering and Contracting LLC - SPC (ALEC), a subsidiary of ALEC Holdings PJSC, have formally launched a pioneering three-year mangrove hydrological restoration pilot project.
