The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) and ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, have formally announced their collaboration with Dendra, an international environmental technology company. The partnership aims to utilize advanced seeding drones and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for the assessment and restoration of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The partnership will implement a series of innovative solutions, grounded in data and advanced AI technology, focusing on preserving environmental habitats, safeguarding local species, and restoring ecological balance in the wild habitats of Abu Dhabi and its mangrove areas.

This partnership aims to bolster EAD's initiatives in evaluating the state of terrestrial and coastal habitats and enhancing the available environmental information. The first arid restoration trial is currently in progress in the Al Dhafra Region, employing drones for aerial seeding on desert terrain.

Dendra's method, utilizing advanced drone technology, has successfully surmounted challenges associated with conventional seed dispersal methods. Additionally, it has expedited the cultivation process, enhancing planting rates and facilitating access to remote areas.

Furthermore, this facilitates the reintroduction of native species to arid ecosystems without the need for irrigation, achieved by identifying regions with the highest annual rainfall. Each seeding drone has the capacity to carry 53 species simultaneously and can seed an area equivalent to over 100 football fields per day. Dendra's technology, applied in this process, ensures traceability, with drones recording precise planting locations for each seed bag and monitoring the success of the restoration efforts.

EAD will lead and supervise the analysis phase of the trial to assess the feasibility of potential large-scale terrestrial habitat rehabilitation projects. Additionally, EAD's environmentalists, in collaboration with a skilled team from Dendra, undertook an extensive field survey, employing state-of-the-art drone technologies.

This innovative approach utilizes remote sensing to capture images that seamlessly integrate with EAD's habitat vegetation maps and extensive database, encompassing a vast area of 10,000 hectares for meticulous monitoring.

EAD, ADQ, and Dendra collaborate to understand and restore Abu Dhabi's natural habitats. The initiative aims to bring back native plant species, promoting sustainability and boosting ecosystem health. Dr. Susan Graham, CEO at Dendra, highlights the joint effort to drive lasting transformation in ecosystems impacted by external stressors.

Earlier this year, ADQ and EAD revealed a collaboration with Archireef, a climate technology company based in Hong Kong, to deploy artificial 3D-printed terracotta-based reef tiles. The initiative is aimed at assisting coral restoration in the Arabian Gulf, specifically off the coast of Abu Dhabi.

Image source: ANI