Major oil spill threatens Hara mangrove forests in Persian Gulf

The Hara forests are a vital ecological treasure of the Persian Gulf. Spanning the Strait of Hormuz , these mangrove forests consist mainly of grey mangrove trees ( Avicennia marina ), which have a special filtration system in their roots that allows them to thrive in saline conditions. The same roots also protect the coast against erosion and are voluminous carbon sinks, sequestering significantly more carbon than terrestrial forests.

The forests are a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and serve as an important nursery for marine life as they shelter shrimp, crabs, and numerous fish species that sustain the region’s fisheries. Up from the water’s edge, the Hara forests’ canopy is also a major migratory hub for birds like the great stone-curlew and various herons. The mangroves are the backbone of the sustainable tourism programmes of Qeshm, an Iranian island in the Persian Gulf, and draw visitors to their labyrinthine waterways.