The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and ADQ, an investment and holding company based in Abu Dhabi, have forged a partnership with Dendra, an international environmental technology firm. Their goal is to employ cutting-edge seeding drones and AI technologies for the assessment and restoration of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems in Abu Dhabi.
This collaboration focuses on utilizing data-driven AI solutions to preserve environmental habitats, protect local species, and restore ecological balance across diverse landscapes in Abu Dhabi, including the emirate’s mangrove areas. By deploying innovative solutions rooted in advanced artificial intelligence and data technologies, the partnership aims to support EAD’s endeavours in evaluating terrestrial and coastal habitats and enhancing environmental insights.
The initial phase involves an arid restoration trial in the Al Dhafra Region, using drones for aerial seeding on desert land. Dendra’s groundbreaking methodology, harnessing drone technology, has overcome limitations associated with traditional seed dispersal methods. This approach accelerates cultivation rates, enhances planting efficiency, and enables access to remote regions.
One significant aspect is the reintroduction of native species to arid ecosystems without irrigation. Dendra’s seeding drones are equipped to carry 53 species simultaneously and can cover an area equivalent to over 100 football fields in a single day. The technology ensures traceability, as drones precisely record planting locations for each seed bag, facilitating comprehensive monitoring of restoration progress.
EAD oversees the trial’s analysis phase to evaluate its potential for large-scale terrestrial habitat rehabilitation projects. The collaboration involves EAD’s environmental experts and Dendra’s experienced team conducting extensive field surveys, utilizing state-of-the-art drone technologies.
This innovative approach employs remote sensing techniques to capture images, aligning seamlessly with EAD’s habitat vegetation maps and expansive database, covering 10,000 hectares for meticulous monitoring. This partnership reflects a collective effort by ADQ, EAD, and Dendra to foster sustainability and biodiversity, extending their commitment to environmental restoration beyond terrestrial landscapes to coral restoration initiatives in the Arabian Gulf. Earlier this year, they collaborated on deploying artificial 3D-printed terracotta-based reef tiles aimed at coral restoration off the coast of Abu Dhabi.