Mangrove ecosystems are vital coastal buffers that support biodiversity, sequester blue carbon, and protect shorelines, yet they remain vulnerable to climate change, salinity stress, and anthropogenic pressures in arid and subtropical regions. Existing restoration methods often lack integrated, data-driven monitoring and predictive capabilities.

This UAE–Korea joint research initiative aims to develop an ICT-integrated, nature-based restoration framework that enhances mangrove climate resilience by combining microbial biotechnology with advanced environmental data science.

The project will establish an AI-enabled health monitoring system using UAV imagery, IoT sensors, and satellite data to generate real-time ecosystem assessments. Deep learning models will classify mangrove health states and forecast degradation under climate and land-use scenarios.

In parallel, indigenous salt-tolerant plant growth-promoting microbes (PGPM) will be isolated and applied to support seedling establishment under saline conditions. Climate downscaling (WRF) and GIS analysis will inform restoration planning, while all outputs will be integrated into a decision-support dashboard for agencies, managers, and planners.

The UAE–Korea collaboration merges strengths in microbial ecology, coastal restoration, AI, and climate modeling. Expected deliverables include an AI monitoring prototype, PGPM-enhanced restoration protocol, climate-risk simulation tools, publications, and policy briefs.

The project advances Green Tech innovation and provides a scalable model for climate-resilient coastal ecosystems.