Terrence K. Pierson, Camille Heaton. Environmental Successes and Challenges in the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi, The Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research, 2014.

Most people who have not visited the United Arab M Emirates (UAE) imagine the country as being entirely desert; therefore, they would certainly be surprised to learn that the UAE also consist of mountains, forests and mangroves. The deserts contain many different habitat types, from the large migratory dunes in the Liwa area to extensive sabkha (or salt flats). There are relatively lush areas where native trees and bushes grow and even wetlands areas that provide their own unique environments. Many managed forests and mountains provide an exceptional diversity of habitat due to elevation changes. The country is also home to mangroves, islands, beaches and the diverse species that thrive in these pristine marine and terrestrial environments.