LITE: Biodiversity and Natural Heritage

It’s not just deserts! The UAE has a variety of landscapes and ecosystems, from sabkhas (salt flats), oases and wadis to  mangroves and coastal and marine ecosystems. Our country has over 800 species of plants, 500 fish species and many more terrestrial and marine species.  

This 3-hour LITE session provides an introduction to all of these and also introduces you to the regulations and consortiums that exist to protect and preserve our natural treasures globally and locally

Course Objectives

•  Introduce biodiversity, the value of nature, ecosystems, habitats and species, and how the different elements, including people, interact globally and locally
•  Explore the different ecosystems that exist in the UAE, and the natural capital and ecosystem services they provide to society (economics, tourism, medicinal etc.)
•  Understand biodiversity threats, challenges and the impacts of human behaviour, including resource consumption and man-made climate change
•  Introduce global and national environmental conservation policies, and the UAE’s role at the local, regional and world stage
•  Showcase the best practices for nature protection and management at the global and local scale

Course Structure

•  Expert-led lectures
•  Interactive skill development
•  Group discussions

Learning Outcomes

•   Understand the value of nature and the socio-economic benefits of natural ecosystems and biodiversity
•   Understand the links between a healthy ecosystem and other UAE priorities and policies
•   Become an ambassador for biodiversity, heritage and culture, and share best practices for protecting nature among local communities

T-Hours: Volunteers will earn training hours (T-Hours) for every LITE module they complete.

This session is open to all Leaders of Change.