<strong>Natural beauty: </strong>Al Thakira's mangrove reserves are among Qatar's most treasured natural sites.
Natural beauty: Al Thakira's mangrove reserves are among Qatar's most treasured natural sites.
Courtesy Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Paddle safari:</strong> The mangroves of Al Thakira are perfect for exploring on a standup paddle board.
Paddle safari: The mangroves of Al Thakira are perfect for exploring on a standup paddle board.
Courtesy Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Marine fauna:</strong> The watery forests are home to Avicennia Marina, also known as the gray or white mangrove tree that has become the dominant species in the region.
Marine fauna: The watery forests are home to Avicennia Marina, also known as the gray or white mangrove tree that has become the dominant species in the region.
Courtesy Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Purple Island:</strong> Another coastal treasure nearby is Purple Island.
Purple Island: Another coastal treasure nearby is Purple Island.
Courtesy Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Water adventure:</strong> Both Purple Island and Al Thakira are ripe for exploring by kayak.
Water adventure: Both Purple Island and Al Thakira are ripe for exploring by kayak.
Courtesy Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Marine life:</strong> The mangroves are home to more than 30 species of fish, as well as crabs and shrimp.
Marine life: The mangroves are home to more than 30 species of fish, as well as crabs and shrimp.
Courtesy Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Purple name: </strong>Shell Island, also known as Jazirat Bin Ghannam, takes its name name from the red-purple dye produced centuries ago from the shells of a local mollusc.
Purple name: Shell Island, also known as Jazirat Bin Ghannam, takes its name name from the red-purple dye produced centuries ago from the shells of a local mollusc.
Courtesy Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Wooden walkway: </strong>Purple Island has a long, wooden walkway that connects it to a beach, making it an ideal place to visit for families.
Wooden walkway: Purple Island has a long, wooden walkway that connects it to a beach, making it an ideal place to visit for families.
Courtesy Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Biodiversity: </strong>Qatar's mangrove forest sits at the edge of its huge desert, offering rare biodiversity in the harsh environment.
Biodiversity: Qatar's mangrove forest sits at the edge of its huge desert, offering rare biodiversity in the harsh environment.
Courtesy Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Important ecosystem: </strong>"Mangroves are one of the most important ecosystems in this region," says Mehsin Alyafei, a marine environment professor at Qatar University.
Important ecosystem: "Mangroves are one of the most important ecosystems in this region," says Mehsin Alyafei, a marine environment professor at Qatar University.
Courtesy Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Clean-up campaigns: </strong>The area has over the years been the focus of several volunteer clean-up operations aimed at removing pollution and raising awareness about the significance of the mangrove ecosystems, especially in a region where the extremely harsh desert conditions limit vegetation growth.
Clean-up campaigns: The area has over the years been the focus of several volunteer clean-up operations aimed at removing pollution and raising awareness about the significance of the mangrove ecosystems, especially in a region where the extremely harsh desert conditions limit vegetation growth.
Courtesy Dimitris Sideridis
<strong>Climate change: </strong>Scientists have long pointed to the mangroves' biodiversity benefits, including their ability to act as filtration systems to improve water quality by absorbing pollutants, as well as playing a major role in the fight against climate change due to their high sequestration rates for carbon dioxide.
Climate change: Scientists have long pointed to the mangroves' biodiversity benefits, including their ability to act as filtration systems to improve water quality by absorbing pollutants, as well as playing a major role in the fight against climate change due to their high sequestration rates for carbon dioxide.
Courtesy Dimitris Sideridis