Publications

Amanda Hodgson, Christophe Cleguer (2026)

This document reports on the activities conducted under the IKI Seagrass Ecosystem Services project in support of Output I: Methodological tools for data collection and monitoring of seagrass ecosystem status and threats developed or enhanced and applied to conservation actions in all five project sites.

Digdo, A.A., Astari, E., Arinda, B.R., and Cahyono, T. (2025), BIO Web of Conferences.

Published in BIO Web of Conferences, this study explores the use of drones and artificial intelligence to detect dugongs under limited-resource conditions in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Combining CMS Dugong Questionnaire data, seagrass habitat mapping from the Allen Coral Atlas, drone surveys, and AI-assisted image analysis, the researchers conducted 28 flights covering 12.09 km² and recorded 56 dugong sightings. While manual image analysis proved more reliable, AI detection achieved only 17.6% precision, highlighting the need for larger and more diverse training datasets. The study demonstrates the potential of combining affordable technologies, habitat data, and local ecological knowledge to improve dugong monitoring and guide conservation in areas where resources and population data are limited.

Schmitz, O.J., Almealla, R., and Nuwat for Environmental Research & Education (2026), Frontiers in Marine Science.

Published in Frontiers in Marine Science, this study investigates how dugongs can enhance the carbon storage potential of seagrass ecosystems. Using a carbon–nutrient cycling model applied to seagrass habitats in Bahrain, the authors found that dugong grazing and nutrient recycling can significantly increase seagrass productivity, ecosystem carbon balance, and sediment carbon storage. Results suggest that the presence of dugongs may more than double carbon capture and storage compared to areas without dugongs.

Burt, J. A. (2024)

A comprehensive and up-to-date review of the nature and environment of the Emirates. Includes contributions from over 20 leading experts on UAE ecosystems and biota.

Khamis, A. et al. (2023), Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 1–14

Wabnitz, C.C. et al. (2018), PloS one, 13(5).

Al Dhaheri, S. et al. (2017), Environment Agency Abu-Dhabi

UNEP (2016)

A mid-term review of progress towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets

UNEP (2016)

The second report presents current knowledge on status and trends in biodiversity and ecosystem services and their pressures, but also aims to inform the global community about the responses the West Asian region has made towards the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, agreed in Nagoya in 2010, and the associated Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

Campbell, J. et al. (2015), Estuaries and Coasts. Vol. 38 (242-251)

Mery, S. et al. (2015), Antiquity , Volume 83 , Issue 321 , September 2009 , pp. 696 – 708

Burt, J.A. (2014), City. Vol 18, No.6

Beech, M.J. (2010), Liwa, Volume 2 (3): pp. 3-18.

Sheppard, C. et al. (2010), Marine Pollution Bulletin 60, no. 1: 13-38

Das, H. (2005) in, Marine Environment and Resources of Abu Dhabi, Edt. by Thabit Zahran Al Abdessalaam. Chapter 11. Pp184-199. Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, UAE. Motivate Publishing

Preen, A. (2004), Biological Conservation, 118(2), p.205-218

United Nations Environment Programme (2001)