Pioneering eDNA Study Reveals Remarkable Vertebrate Diversity Along Abu Dhabi’s Urban Coastline
Groundbreaking research by Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi has identified 83 vertebrate taxa in coastal waters, demonstrating the ecological significance of mangrove and seagrass habitats within one of the world's most densely developed marine environments.
A landmark scientific investigation led by Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, undertaken in close collaboration with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi and France’s Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, has unveiled the considerable biodiversity thriving within Abu Dhabi’s urban coastal ecosystems. The research, published in the esteemed journal PLoS ONE, represents the inaugural environmental DNA survey of marine vertebrates conducted in Abu Dhabi’s waters.
Researchers employed cutting-edge eDNA methodology to detect 83 distinct vertebrate taxa across four carefully selected urban coastal sites. The findings encompassed 75 bony fish species, two species of sharks and rays, one marine mammal and five bird species, with 22 specimens identified to species level. This non-invasive technique, which identifies organisms through traces of DNA naturally released into the surrounding water through skin cells, mucus, scales and excrement, proved remarkably effective in capturing a comprehensive biodiversity snapshot without disturbing the marine environment.
The investigation examined four contrasting coastal environments during December 2024: the Mangrove National Park, a seagrass bed adjacent to Al Futaisi Island, Marsa Al Bateen marina and Al Hudayriyat Channel. The research revealed that mangrove and seagrass habitats demonstrated substantially higher phylogenetic diversity, a sophisticated metric that considers not merely the quantity of species present but also their evolutionary distinctiveness from one another. This finding illuminates the profound ecological significance these habitats retain despite their location within an intensely developed urban landscape.
In contrast, the more recently developed Al Hudayriyat Channel exhibited lower phylogenetic diversity, suggesting a marine community still in its formative stages. Marsa Al Bateen marina presented intermediate diversity levels, positioning itself between the established mangrove habitats and the nascent urban site.
The Arabian Gulf presents one of Earth’s most demanding marine environments, characterised by shallow, semi-enclosed waters that exceed 35°C during summer months and possess considerably elevated salinity levels compared to open ocean systems. That such ecologically significant habitats and adapted marine species flourish within these exceptionally challenging conditions underscores their remarkable resilience and intrinsic value.
The research campaign represents the inaugural phase of the MARVEL programme, an ambitious multi-year initiative led by SUAD’s Ocean Institute in partnership with the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle and the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi. This comprehensive initiative aims to establish long-term monitoring of marine vertebrate biodiversity across the United Arab Emirates’ coastal ecosystems. Subsequent monitoring campaigns conducted in August and December 2025 have already been completed, with further comparative analysis across additional UAE coastal environments planned to construct a comprehensive understanding of marine vertebrate diversity and ecological change.
All biodiversity data generated through this research remain freely accessible through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility under an open licence, exemplifying the commitment to scientific transparency and collaborative knowledge sharing.
Source: WAM