GOAL 14: Life Below Water

Supporting Aquatic Ecosystems Through Education

United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), through its various colleges—including the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine (CAVM) and the College of Science—has organized a series of events and outreach activities to support freshwater ecosystems and promote water sustainability among local communities and school students.

Through these initiatives, combining academic expertise, cross-college collaboration, and community engagement, UAEU plays a vital role in raising public awareness and advancing education on water resources, conservation, and aquatic ecosystem protection.

In 2024, UAEU also hosted the GULF4 Conference, underscoring its national and regional leadership in addressing environmental challenges affecting the Gulf ecosystem. The conference brought together scientists, managers, and students to examine the health, ecology, and sustainability of the Gulf. Its scholarly outcomes were published in four special issues of Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management (AEHM).

Aligned with its institutional sustainability goals and commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UAEU regularly conducts workshops for school students across the Emirates on topics such as plastic pollution prevention, aquatic habitat conservation, water-quality monitoring, and general water conservation practices.

Collectively, these activities directly support SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by promoting marine ecosystem conservation, sustainable use of aquatic resources, improved water quality, habitat protection, and enhanced scientific research and education on aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.

Water Sensitive Waste Disposal

United Arab Emirates University

The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) plays a leading national role in maintaining and protecting local aquatic ecosystems through long-term research, monitoring, and policy-support activities. UAEU scientists work directly to minimize alteration of marine ecosystems by studying critical species such as sharks and rays-highlighted by the university’s contribution to A Natural History of the Emirates book, which documents how decades of coastal development and fishing pressure have affected regional populations and supports the UAE’s National Plan of Action for Shark Conservation. UAEU researchers also monitor the health of aquatic ecosystems through ongoing studies on ocean health, habitat degradation, and the ecological status of species in the Arabian Gulf. This includes master’s and PhD research examining emerging threats such as microplastics ingested by fish in UAE and Gulf waters, generating essential baseline data for sustainable marine-resource management.

In partnership with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the university advances marine conservation through joint programs focused on ecosystem restoration, biodiversity protection, and reducing pollution-such as plastic waste-while contributing scientific expertise to national sustainability priorities. Together with government and regional stakeholders, UAEU supports collaborative stewardship of shared aquatic ecosystems and contributes to watershed and coastal-zone management planning, reinforcing its commitment to SDG 14 and the long-term resilience of marine environments in the UAE and the wider Gulf region.

Supporting Aquatic Ecosystems through Action

National and International Research Collaboration

UAEU has partnered with Al Ain Zoo to strengthen cooperation in joint research projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on landscape management, conservation biology, and veterinary science. Under this agreement, UAEU will fully fund and implement five dedicated research projects, all carried out by UAEU faculty, researchers, and students, while Al Ain Zoo provides access to its facilities, animal populations, and technical expertise. In addition to these initiatives, UAEU is expanding its work in aquaponics and sustainable food-production systems, integrating water-efficient agriculture with aquatic ecosystems to support biodiversity, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to resilient food systems. This approach not only enhances research and innovation in arid-environment food production but also complements UAEU’s broader commitment to maintaining healthy ecosystems, advancing environmental sustainability, and supporting SDG-aligned conservation practices.

A recent UAEU-led study further demonstrates the university’s commitment to safeguarding aquatic and coastal ecosystems through advanced scientific research. In collaboration with Sunway University and the University of Malaya in Malaysia, UAEU researchers developed an advanced hybrid deep-learning model for predicting Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Electrical Conductivity (EC) in coastal aquifers- two critical indicators of water quality and salinity intrusion. This research enhances the capacity to monitor and manage vulnerable coastal groundwater systems, supports early-warning tools for ecosystem degradation, and contributes directly to sustainable water-resource management in climate-sensitive regions. The study also reflects UAEU’s growing international research partnerships and its leadership in applying cutting-edge technologies to maintain ecosystem health and resilience.