Conserving Ras Al Khaimah’s Botanical Diversity

Ras Al Khaimah is home to a diverse ecosystem of plant species, many of which have medicinal uses and cultural significance in addition to supporting wildlife. As the human population and associated urban development increases in the Emirate, it is essential to ensure the national heritage related to plant diversity is protected. In this policy paper, we present the results of an emirate-wide botanical survey that explores how the plant species, present across Ras Al Khaimah, vary according to the Emirate’s geography. In total, 320 plant species were documented in the survey, 293 of which were identified. Some of the recorded species are either uniquely found in the Emirate or are rare and endangered. Four main vegetation types have been identified in the Emirate: coastal and lowland vegetation, plains vegetation, low mountain vegetation, and high mountain vegetation. Within each of these, there are several distinct subtypes that contain unique species and species common to the primary vegetation type.