ENHG Lecture: Habitats and Habitat Mapping in the UAE by Dr. Gary Brown

Refreshments, Membership sign-up and Bookstall from 7:00pm, talk begins at 7:30pm

Salon 1, Park Hyatt Saadiyat Abu Dhabi

Talk Summary:

The collection of sound information on the identity and distribution of natural and semi-natural habitats is a vital tool for effective conservation planning and the monitoring of biodiversity.

In his presentation, Dr Gary Brown gives an overview of the typical habitats found in the UAE with examples of their characteristic flora and fauna. He also provides insight into some of the key environmental problems facing the region with regards to biodiversity conservation.

About the Speaker:

Dr Gary Brown has worked in various countries of the Arabian Peninsula for over 20 years, including at several academic institutions (Kuwait University, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat). The “Abu Dhabi Habitats Manual”, now used for all ecological EIAs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, was developed during his time spent at ERWDA (now EAD) in Abu Dhabi over a decade ago, together with Dr Benno Böer of UNESCO, also a former employee at ERWDA.

Gary holds an MSc and PhD in Botany / Ecology from the University of Bonn, and gained the qualifications for full professor in Germany. He has published extensively in refereed scientific journals, mainly on vegetation ecology, botany in both Europe and the Arabian Peninsula.  Apart from being the senior author of the book “Vegetation Ecology of Socotra”, published by Springer, he has also contributed chapters to various key books on the natural history of the Emirates, including, The Emirates, A Natural History, Jebel Hafit, A Natural History and Desert Ecology of Abu Dhabi . He is currently working on his next major book project dealing with the vegetation ecology of eastern Arabia.