Muscat: The Environment Authority, through its Environment Center in the Wilayat of Masirah, South A'Sharqiyah Governorate, has initiated field survey work as part of its operational targets for 2026.
According to Oman News Agency, these operational targets focus on conducting field surveys of coastal marine ecosystems and assessing the safety of water connectivity between lagoons and the sea. The surveys aim to evaluate coastal and wetland environmental conditions and enhance the national biodiversity database.
The survey work seeks to provide accurate field data on beach characteristics, natural components, and environmental pressures. This data will contribute to assessing environmental conditions and identifying sites of importance for protection and management.
The first aspect of the survey involves conducting longitudinal beach surveys, dividing them into four-kilometer segments to document the beach's nature and components. This includes monitoring coastal erosion and recording biological and environmental observations like the presence of mangroves, sea turtle nesting signs, and waste types on the beaches.
The second aspect focuses on coastal wetlands, evaluating water connectivity between lagoons and the sea by measuring physical water indicators during high tide. Hydrological measurements of the lagoons, including width, depth, and tidal movement impact, are conducted alongside documenting biodiversity components.
Ghasi Hamad Al Farsi, Supervisor of the Environmental Control Unit at the Environment Authority Center, emphasized the importance of these surveys in assessing coastal ecosystems and guiding environmental management efforts based on actual data. The field team utilizes aerial documentation technologies, including drones, to monitor the sites and document changes visually.
Al Farsi highlighted the introduction of electronic field forms for data recording, which accelerates the data collection process and reduces errors. This technological advancement aids in preparing accurate environmental reports and studies.
The survey work is part of the Environment Authority's broader efforts to enhance environmental monitoring of coastal ecosystems and support sustainable management of natural resources and biodiversity in South A'Sharqiyah Governorate.
