Discover Bahrain : Nature (Biodiversity / Fauna & Flora)

In Bahrain, nature is particularly inhospitable. Arid islands, vast expanses of desert stretching as far as the eye can see and urbanization in full swing... It's hard for flora and fauna to survive these hostile conditions. And yet, in this rapidly modernizing Kingdom, islands of biodiversity are still home to an abundance of wildlife. Admittedly, these natural areas are rare: most of the archipelago's fauna is concentrated in wetlands, mangroves or protected nature reserves. As for the flora, it is in the north of Bahrain that it is most abundant, where men have been able to build irrigation systems that enable it to survive the recurring droughts. For despite temperatures that can approach 50 degrees in summer and an annual rainfall rate of less than 80 mm, Bahrain is home to a much richer natural world than it appears.

Wildlife to discover

On Bahrain's main island, it takes a little patience and a lot of luck to observe the island's most emblematic mammal and, above all, the only one endemic to the archipelago: the sand gazelle, or goitered gazelle. Hunted for their meat and leather, these gazelles had almost disappeared. Thanks to the king's efforts, their numbers have stabilized, and on the royal family's private island, vast areas of desert are set aside for them to breed in complete safety. But other mammals are also present. The Arabian hare, the big-eared hedgehog, the Edward's mongoose, the Egyptian gerbil, several bats and the Arabian oryx, reintroduced by the king himself. There are also several species of snake, harmless to humans, and lizards such as the whiptail, whose nest can reach 1 metre in height.

The Hawar Islands: a bird sanctuary

The Hawar Islands are a veritable paradise for birdwatchers from all over the world. Nearly 340 bird species have been recorded. The vast majority are migratory birds on stopover. Many of the archipelago's islands are uninhabited, and the absence of predators makes them perfect refuges. Greater flamingos, herons, Caspian terns... Hawar is regularly transformed into an open-air aviary. But one species in particular stands out. Nearly 200,000 Socotra cormorants settle here in winter to lay their eggs. Within a few days, or even hours, the islands are completely covered in birds, turning as black as the cormorants' plumage.

But other birds emblematic of Arab countries also nest here, such as the endangered concolor falcon. A symbol of Arab falconry, it was long captured for its hunting skills. Today, the species is almost extinct. Native to Madagascar, the island's massive deforestation is destroying its habitat. And when it migrates in spring to the islands of the Persian Gulf, this falcon risks being captured by poachers. But there is still hope. In recent years, biologists have noticed that several falcons are nesting in Hawar to breed. The government has taken steps to protect their reproduction as best it can. When the falcons arrive, it's forbidden to visit or even fly over certain islands. But don't panic: with good binoculars, you can observe them from the sea.

Exceptional marine biodiversity

While life on land has been able to withstand the harsh conditions of Bahrain's deserts, it is above all at sea that the Kingdom's biodiversity is most significant. Its coastline and seabed are among the most renowned in the region. The waters of the archipelago are shallow and rich in nutrients. They are therefore home to one of the most important marine ecosystems in the Persian Gulf. There are still numerous seagrass beds, coral reefs and large colonies of dugongs. These large marine mammals, now threatened with extinction, are herbivores that can grow up to three meters long and weigh 400 kg. They feed in these vast underwater meadows. Off the coast of Bahrain, you'll also come across green turtles, stingrays, seahorses and several species of dolphin, notably the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin and the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin. The coral reefs, although weakened by climate change, are home to a multitude of tropical fish, such as butterflyfish, parrotfish and groupers. In short, Bahrain is a diver's paradise.

Desert flora

For plant species, survival in Bahrain is a challenge. While almost the entire island is covered by desert, another major obstacle has shaped Bahrain's landscape: salt, which is almost omnipresent on the island. As a result, all over the south of the island, vegetation is scarce and sparse, but has managed to adapt to these extreme conditions. The most striking symbol of this is the Tree of Life, a 400-year-old acacia that has grown right in the middle of the desert. It's the only sign of vegetation for miles around. What's more, no one really knows where this Prosopis cineraria draws its water from. According to some botanists, its roots are long enough to reach an underground stream more than 3 kilometers away. Others believe its leaves capture ambient humidity.

But Bahrain's most emblematic tree is of course the date palm, Phoenix dactylifera, the desert tree par excellence. Its fruit has fed the Bedouins and Bahrainis since the dawn of time. Today, produced on an almost industrial scale, Bahraini dates are among the best in the world. Delicious fresh in summer, they are just as tasty dried. Although the palm resists the salinity of the soil, constant maintenance and daily watering are necessary. Palm groves therefore need to be irrigated, and are concentrated in the Northern Governorate and around the royal town of Riffa. The King's palms are renowned for producing the best dates in the country.

Environmental challenges and conservation efforts

However, the country's rapid development and the proliferation of artificial island projects have profoundly transformed the natural balance. Coastal fill, industrial waste, water pollution and rising temperatures are threatening both marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Coral reefs have become less dense, some wetlands have disappeared, and terrestrial fauna is increasingly rare.

Faced with these challenges, the Bahraini government has launched several conservation initiatives: creation of reserves, reforestation campaigns in agricultural areas, programs to protect marine species... In 2021, a national biodiversity plan was adopted to better identify and protect local species.

Nevertheless, the balance remains fragile. Between demographic pressure, economic imperatives and the desire to preserve a precious natural heritage, the Kingdom's biodiversity rests on a precarious footing. But in this archipelago, nature, though threatened, remains at the heart of its inhabitants' identity.