Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
derground water table sinks, or at least becomes more difficult to access. In Qatar, uplift
has resulted in increasing aridity and sparseness of vegetation. This, combined with en-
croaching areas of sand and
sabkha,
has given environmentalists much to be concerned
about.
Qatar's mangrove wetlands, which provide a breeding ground for waders and crusta-
ceans such as shrimps, are threatened by the multiple hazards of grazing camels, oil seep-
ages and land reclamation. Various projects are afoot to protect this important coastal hab-
itat, including the replanting of mangroves north of Al-Khor, but there are no official
nature reserves as yet. Several privately owned projects, such as Al Wabra Preserve
(
www.qatarvisitor.com
and search for 'Al Wabra'), help protect endangered species.
