Tidal Inundation Regimes in Abu Dhabi (UAE) Mangroves: Insights from Field Measurements and Numerical Modelling

The development of healthy mangroves strongly depends on several factors including water physiochemical characteristics, soil composition and tidal inundation regimes. This article presents a characterization of tidal inundation regimes for mangroves in Abu Dhabi, based on a field measurement campaign combined with hydrodynamic modelling. Water-level measurements were collected over a 9-month period at a site where Avicennia marina is present and widespread, capturing spring-neap cycles and seasonal variability. The results provide a detailed quantification of tidal inundation characteristics. Mangroves at the study site were inundated for approximately 33–56% of the time, depending on the season, with higher inundation durations during summer months associated with seasonal mean sea level variability. Mean inundation durations averaged 371 min per inundation event and 620 min per day, with an average of 1.7 inundation events per day. A hydrodynamic numerical model was applied and validated against in situ measurements. Model outputs were used to spatially extend site-specific observations and derive estimates of target ground elevation for successful mangrove development, corresponding to values between +0.12 m and +0.14 m relative to local mean sea level. These findings provide a physically based framework to support mangrove restoration, impact assessment, and conservation efforts in Abu Dhabi, where improper tidal exposure remains a key factor limiting restoration success.