HSE-EN-ST06 - Biodiversity Assessment

ADNOC Classification: Internal
THE CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT ARE [PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL].
HEALTH SAFETY ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT STANDARD
STANDARD NO.: HSE-EN-ST06

VERSION NO.: 1
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 2020
HSE Management System
HSE Environmental Standards
Biodiversity Assessment
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................................................4
2. PURPOSE ...............................................................................................................................................5
3. SCOPE ....................................................................................................................................................5
4. LAWS AND REGULATIONS ..................................................................................................................6
5. DEFINITIONS & ABBREVIATIONS .......................................................................................................7
6. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES .......................................................................................................13
6.1. GROUP COMPANY ..............................................................................................................................13
6.2. THIRD PARTY INDEPENDENT CONSULTANTS ...............................................................................13
7. REQUIREMENTS..................................................................................................................................14
7.1. BIODIVERSITY AND ITS IMPORTANCE ............................................................................................14
7.1.1. What is Biodiversity? ......................................................................................................................14
7.1.2. Biodiversity of the UAE and the Abu Dhabi Emirate ...................................................................14
7.1.3. Importance of BiodiversIty .............................................................................................................14
7.1.4. Assessement Approach .................................................................................................................15
7.2. OVERVIEW OF THIS STANDARD.......................................................................................................16
7.3. SETTING THE BASELINE ...................................................................................................................16
7.3.1. BIODIVERSITY / ECOLOGICAL BASELINE CHARACTERISTICS ...............................................16
7.3.2. Baseline Survey Scale and Design Development ........................................................................17
7.3.3. HABITAT CLASSIFICATION ...........................................................................................................17
7.3.4. FIELD DATA COLLECTION ............................................................................................................20
7.4. ECOLOGICAL EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENTS .........................................................................28
7.4.1. Determining Importance .................................................................................................................29
7.4.2. ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS ..........................................................................................................31
7.4.3. Mitigation Hierarchy ........................................................................................................................32
7.4.4. Monitoring Requirements ...............................................................................................................32
7.4.5. Biodiversity Action Plans ...............................................................................................................33
7.5. REPORTING FRAMEWORK ................................................................................................................34
7.5.1. REPORT CONTENTS.......................................................................................................................34
7.6. COMPETENCY OF ECOLOGY PRACTITIONER ................................................................................35
8. COMPLIANCE ASSURANCE ..............................................................................................................35
8.1. PERFORMANCE KPIS .........................................................................................................................35
9. REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................................36
10. APPENDICES .......................................................................................................................................37
– EAD HABITAT CLASSIFICATION CODE .................................................................................... 38
– IMPORTANT SITES AND PROTECTED HABITATS .................................................................. 39
– PRIORITY SPECIES LIST .............................................................................................................. 46
–SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ECOLOGICAL BASELINE SURVEYS ...................... 64
Standard No.: HSE-EN-ST06 Version No.: 1 Effective date: January 2020 Page 3 of 66
1. INTRODUCTION
In the last 45 years, ADNOC has been managing, producing and preserving the emirate’s hydrocarbon
reserves, on behalf of the Abu Dhabi Government. With its mandate, ADNOC operates within large
tracts of both terrestrial and marine environments including within protected areas and recently notified
protected areas (e.g. Qusahwira field). In addition, ADNOC continue to actively explore and develop oil
and gas resources trapped in the Emirate’s rock formations. However, such industries are not without
risks as associated activities are known to have various levels of interactions and thereby potential
impacts to the environment. Such that ADNOC’s operations, particularly within their concession areas
located within some of the extremely sensitive environments where several threatened species are
known to occur, have the potential for harm to the environment.
One of the components of the environment that is often the focus of impact assessment schemes is
the biological diversity or biodiversity, aptly the term used to describe the totality of the variety of life on
Earth, encompassing all organisms, species, and populations (species diversity); the genetic variation
among these (genetic diversity); and their complex assemblages of communities and ecosystems
(ecosystem diversity).
ADNOC recognise that management and mitigations of risks to consequential impacts to biodiversity
can only be achieved through effective regulation, independent examination, good operating practice,
including independent environmental monitoring and verification. As with the rest of the environmental
parameters and aspects, an appropriate-level independent biodiversity survey and monitoring
throughout the entire life cycle of projects, be it before, during or after site operations, are considered
necessary as part of an effective environmental management system that incorporates robust mitigation
and contingency planning processes most especially prompt detection and effective intervention.
It is in this light, that ADNOC upon review of these risks in seeking excellence with respect to
management of biodiversity as a way of demonstrating its commitment to protection of the environment,
has developed this guideline in line with the overall requirement affording for setting the baseline
biodiversity to afford improvement in assessing and minimising impacts on biodiversity as per ADNOC
Standard on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) (HSE-EN-ST01).
It is understood that whilst it is essentially a straightforward concept, biodiversity can be difficult to

define and measure in practice due to the various levels at which biodiversity should be considered (i.e.
genetic, species and ecosystems diversity). It is often considered practical to focus baselining efforts
to key ecological features such as important habitats or species.
This Standard provides guidance on suitable methods and approaches that are required to be
implemented for ecological assessments, including baseline surveys that ensures appropriate data will
be available for adequately assessing current conditions of ecological features (term used throughout
this guideline to mean habitats, species and ecosystems). It is important to note that with regards to
ecological baseline survey and assessments, this guideline draws largely from published and
internationally accepted methods for ecological baseline survey activities but considering specific and
prevailing conditions of ecosystems (e.g. desert, Arabian Gulf) found across ADNOC concession areas.
It has been developed within the context of the current legislative framework and international best
practice approaches to biodiversity or ecological assessment and survey methods. Particularly for the
survey component, the framework provided in this document considers risk-based approach and is
dependent on objective, site specific monitoring, sampling, testing and scientific analysis throughout
the life cycle of the projects.
The objectives of the Standard is to provide a consistent approach to ecological assessment and
surveys or monitoring for regulatory purposes. Particularly, the survey and monitoring requirement have
been highlighted ensuring consistency in the derivation of baseline information for use in assessments
of risks to specific biodiversity components of the site throughout the life cycle of projects.
2. PURPOSE
This guidance has been developed to assist ecological professionals working with ADNOC projects to
identify, mitigate and manage impacts to biodiversity and ecosystems. It is generally considered
applicable to all ADNOC development projects but is particularly useful for projects or developments in
concession areas located within important, critical or sensitive habitats and locations (e.g. protected
areas, etc.) where potentially more stringent requirements for impact identification and mitigation or
monitoring is required.
In addition, and in line with the requirements of EIA schemes, the required baseline surveys refer to
the monitoring of environmental parameters before site operations begin. Such activities are
undertaken to establish the pre-existing environmental conditions at a site of interest and the
surrounding areas, providing important understanding of site so that any subsequent changes to these
conditions can be identified.
Ecological baseline surveys, just like any other environmental baseline surveys, involves several stages
of investigation, either desktop-based research or field survey works. Particularly for the field surveys,
such tasks need to be undertaken in line with best practices, and that which are proportionate to the
project type, scale and nature and the potential positive or negative impacts of the projects.
This document provides the requirements to develop/conduct a biodiversity/ecological baselining study

for various projects, facilities, sites and activities to ensure a robust biodiversity baseline information is
collected and presented appropriately. It outlines the requirements such as the scale of the survey (full
survey or sample survey), specific method applicability (for area or linear projects, whole communities
or target species or habitat), seasonality, consideration of gradients (temporal, spatial, etc.), survey
team composition and qualifications, data presentation and reporting requirements (population indices
or other measures of population dynamics, levels of mapping or listing) for submission, and specifies
the conditions and level of detail required for each respective study component to be prepared by the
ADNOC Group.
An adequate environmental baseline information gathered during the baseline surveys are then used
to inform the full assessments of the risks that the project brings to the ecological features of the site.
Results of these assessments can then feed into appropriate environmental management systems. The
importance of collecting and appropriate reporting of robust environmental baseline information cannot
be undermined as this facilitates sufficient level to allow for effective and efficient assessments that
support permitting and planning decision making.
The guidelines provided in this document align fully with the ADNOC’s Standard on EIA (HSE-EN-ST01)
which identifies the need for an ecological baseline to be established before site operations commence
and for full identification of ecological risks, mitigation and monitoring requirements at an early stage of
projects.
It also outlines the roles and responsibilities of the various parties within ADNOC Group who have
responsibilities for biodiversity/ecology matters, the common framework and control procedures
through which preparation and approval are managed within the ADNOC Group. It also highlights the
various interfaces between ADNOC, Group Companies (GCs) & external governmental agencies such
as Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ) Codes of Practice, Dubai
Environmental Agency etc.
3. SCOPE
This standard provides guidance to the ADNOC Group and its Contractors on Bio-diversity assessment
conducted as part of environmental studies. The process is applicable across all ADNOC projects and
facilities / sites that may have interactions with the biodiversity or ecology of the sites of future
operations for both standalone biodiversity or ecological studies as well as those intended to support
the Health, Safety and Environmental Impact Assessment (HSEIA) process in the assessment of
potential biodiversity/ecological impacts prior to construction and requirements for monitoring of habitat
and species status during and after operation as well as for the continuous verification of regulatory
compliance.
In subjective aspects, the standard serves as a guideline to the ecological practitioner for the
satisfaction of minimum requirements proposed by the ADNOC Group.
ADNOC Group and its Contractors shall ensure that all requirements listed herein are fully understood,
implemented, complied with and monitored at all times.
4. LAWS AND REGULATIONS
The regulatory framework and principles that apply to biodiversity are detailed in this section.
At the level of the national UAE and local Abu Dhabi Emirate Legislations, the laws that are applicable
to this Standard includes but not limited to:
At the level of the national UAE and local Abu Dhabi Emirate Legislations, the laws that are applicable
to this Standard includes but not limited to:
Federal Law No. 23 of 1999 for the Exploitation, Protection and Development of the Living
Aquatic Resources;
Federal Law No. 24 of 1999 for the Protection and Development of the Environment, and its
amendments, e.g. Federal Law No. (11) of 2006 amending provisions of Articles 12 and (83);
Ministerial Decree No. (37) of 2001: Regulation concerning Environmental Impact Assessment
of Projects;
Federal Law No. (11) of 2002 concerning Regulation and Control of International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna
Local Law No. (5) of 1970 concerning Regulating Hunting of Birds and Animals as Amended by
Local Law No. (1) of 1978;
Local Law No. (13) of 2005 concerning Regulating of Grazing in (the) Abu Dhabi Emirate;
Local Law No. (22) of 2005 concerning Animal Hunting in (the) Abu Dhabi Emirate;
ADNOC GCs must ensure, that their activities comply with all relevant Federal and Abu Dhabi laws and
regulations at all times, including any that may be introduced after the publication of this Standard.
The UAE is a signatory to a number of international and regional conventions, agreements and
understandings which include requirements relating to biodiversity, including protection of species and
habitats, that which have implications for ADNOC operations, as follows:
Convention on Biological Diversity;
Convention on Conservation of Wildlife and its Natural Habitats in the Gulf Cooperation Council
(GCC) countries;
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;
Bonn Convention on Migratory Species (CMS);
International Convention relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution
Casualties;
International Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious
Drought and or Desertification;
Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Marine Turtles and

their Habitats of the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia;
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar);
Agreements concerning environmental protection where the current status of UAE is neither as
Signatory or Party but for which UAE is a range state for listed species;
Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA);
The World Heritage Convention;
Memorandum of Understanding concerning Conservation Measures for the Slender-billed
Curlew (Numenius tenuirostris); and
Memorandum of Understanding on Dugong management.
5. DEFINITIONS & ABBREVIATIONS
TERMS DEFINITIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS
ADNOC Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
ADNOC Group ADNOC Group includes the Directorates & Functions (in ADNOC
Headquarter), Group Companies and Affiliates.
AEWA Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory
Waterbirds
Audit (HSE) Independent, systematic and documented process of objectively
obtaining and evaluating verifiable evidence to determine that HSE
controls:
 Are complete and consistent;
 Are (cost) effective and efficient;
 Safeguard the company’s resources and promote their effective
use;
 Provide, and protect the integrity of, required records and
information; and,
Allow for compliance with policies, chosen standards, laws and
regulations
Audits are an integral component of any assurance process, be it HSE,
financial or any other business context.
BAP Biodiversity Action Plan
Baseline Survey Baseline Survey also called Basic Scoping Survey, is an exposure
assessment strategy employed when the Qualitative OHRA reaches one
or more of the conclusions: there is an exposure risk but its extent is
uncertain; a new process is being commissioned; an unusual activity is
planned; significant changes were made to an existing process; control
measures were introduced since the last assessment was made.
Biodiversity Derived from the term “biological diversity” meaning variability among
living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine
and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which
they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and
of ecosystems1. Thus, considering biological diversity at three main
levels: genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity.
Brownfield project Brownfield project refers to project of expansion, extension, addition or
revamping of units, equipment, utilities or services on an existing facility.
CBD United National Convention on Biological Diversity
CEPA Center for Excellence in Communication, Education and Public

Awareness
CIEEM Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
cm
centimetre
CMS Convention on Migratory Species
Compensation, or Generally, this refers to a recompense for some loss of feature or service
compensatory and is something which constitutes an equivalent or more to make good
measure the lack of, or modification of something else (typically the naturalness
of an area). It can involve something (such as money) given or received
as payment or reparation (as for a service or loss or injury). Specifically,
compensation for biodiversity involves measures to recompense, make
good or pay damages for loss of biodiversity or any ecological feature
caused by a project2.
Competency The ability to perform a particular job in compliance with industry
accepted performance standards. This encompasses the technical
requirements and skill to perform the job as well as having knowledge
and understanding to enable the job to be carried out successfully under
different and changing conditions, and to handle emergency situations
which may possibly occur.
Contractor A ‛Contractor’ is defined as an individual or organization having a
contract/sub-contract with ADNOC Group for the provision of services,
equipment or performance of works. The term ‟Contractor” as used in
the ADNOC Group Contracts Procedure is synonymous with the terms
including but not limited to ‟Consultant”, ‟Sub-Contractor”, ‟Service
Provider” or ‟Supplier”.
DDV Drop-Down Video
Dominant, Used for semi-quantitative sampling, to provide a quick estimate of the

Abundant, Frequent, relative abundance of species (generally plants) in a given area.
Occasional, Rare
(DAFOR) Scale
1
Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) Convention on Biological Diversity. Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Montreal, Canada
2
Business and Biodiversity Offsets Programme (BBOP). 2012. Glossary. BBOP, Washington, D.C. 2nd updated edition.
EAD Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi
EcIA Ecological Impact Assessment
Ecological Feature Represent the composition and spatial attributes of biodiversity, such as
or Patterns species abundance and richness, habitat heterogeneity and distribution.
Patterns are often underpinned by ecological processes (i.e. that which
structure ecosystems and contribute to ecosystem function).
Ecology Term used to describe the biological community structure in an area,
including presence of rare or endangered flora and fauna.
Ecosystem Term used to describe the physical and biological components that make
up an area.
Ecosystem Function An intrinsic ecosystem characteristic whereby an ecosystem maintains

its integrity. Ecosystem processes include decomposition, production,
nutrient cycling, and fluxes of nutrients and energy. Ecosystem function
is equivalent to ecosystem process3.
Ecosystem Services Benefits people obtain from ecosystems. These include provisioning
services such as food and water; regulating services such as regulation
of floods, drought, land degradation, and disease; supporting services
such as soil formation and nutrient cycling; and cultural services such as
recreational, spiritual, religious and other non-material benefits4.
EEPP Emirate Environmental Protection Policy
EHSMS Environment, Health and Safety Management System
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment; systematic process of evaluating the

environmental impacts of an activity, project or process on the
environment. (Refer to ADNOC Environment Impact Assessment
Standard, HSE-EN-ST01 for more details).
EMP Environmental Management Plan
Environment Surroundings in which an organisation operates including air, water,

land, natural resources, flora, fauna, humans and their interrelation.
FFI Flora and Fauna International
FOIZ Fujairah Oil Industry Zone
GC ADNOC Group Company
3
Convention on Biological Diversity, op. cit.
4
Hassan R, Scholes R, Ash N (eds) (2005) Millennium Ecosystem Assessment: Ecosystems and Human Wellbeing, Volume 1, Current State and Trends.
Island Press, Washington
GCC Gulf Cooperation Council
GEF Global Environment Facility
Genetic Diversity The variation in the amount of genetic information within and among
individuals of a population, a species, an assemblage, or a community5.
GIS Geographical Information System
GPS Global Positioning System
Group Company Means any company within the ADNOC Group, other than ADNOC.
Group HSE Means ADNOC Group Health Safety & Environment Function.
Guidance/Guidelines Directions/methodology provided to be taken as an advice on how to

proceed. Not mandatory.
ha
hectare
Habitat Habitat means the place or type of site where an organism or population
naturally occurs6.
HSE Health, Safety and Environment
HSEIA Health, Safety and Environmental Impact Assessment; A systematic

process of identifying HSE impacts of existing, new or substantially
altered projects, and establishing prevention and mitigation
requirements.
HSEMS Health, Safety & Environmental Management System
IBA
Important Bird and Biodiversity Area
IPIECA International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation
Association
ITIS Integrated Taxonomic Information System
IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature
km
kilometre
km2
square kilometre
KPI Means key performance indicator, which is a type of a performance
measurement that evaluates the success of a particular activity.
5
UN (1992) Environment and Development (Terminology bulletin: 344). United Nations, New York, USA
6
Convention on Biological Diversity, op. cit.
m metres (distance/length)
mm millimetres (distance/length)
m2
square metre
MoEW
Ministry of Environment and Water
MOOPAM Manual of Oceanographic Observations and Pollutant Analyses Methods
NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
NDVI Normalised Difference Vegetation Index
NOC No Objection Certificate
PERSGA Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the

Red Sea & Gulf of Aden
PHSER Project Health, Safety, and Environment Review
Protected Area A clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and

managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-
term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and
cultural values7.
RBS Rose Bengal Stain
Risk Risk is the product of the measure of the likelihood of occurrence of an

undesired event and the potential adverse consequences which the
event may have upon:
 Health and Safety of People – fatality, injury, irreversible health
impact or chronic ill health or harm to physical or psychological
health;
 Environment - water, air, soil, animals, plants and social;
 Reputation - employees and third parties. This includes the
liabilities arising from injuries and property damage to third
parties including the cross liabilities that may arise between the
interdependent ADNOC Group Companies;
 Financial - damage to property (assets) or loss of production;
and,
 Legal - Legal impacts due to breach of law, breach of contract
etc.
Risk = Severity (Consequence) x Likelihood (Frequency)
Refer to ADNOC Corporate Risk Matrix for more information

ROPME Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment
7
Dudley N (2008) Guidelines for applying protected area management categories. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland
SCAD Statistics Centre − Abu Dhabi
SCUBA Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus
Species Richness Number of different species in a location/sample8.
Standard Means ‛standard setting’ documents which, in effect, set out mandatory
requirements that shall be complied with and implemented across
ADNOC Group.
ADNOC Group Companies shall demonstrate that they meet the

requirements of the Standards either by showing that they have the
necessary systems and procedures in place and/or by preparing
additional systems and procedures to address identified ʽgaps’.
SVP
Senior Vice President
Threatened Species Species classified as critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or
near threatened according to global, regional or national Red Lists and
other relevant regional or national legislation9.
UAE United Arab Emirates
UK United Kingdom
UKOOG United Kingdom Onshore Oil and Gas
UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Value (of Refers to the importance or sensitivity of biodiversity and may relate to
biodiversity, its contribution towards the function and integrity of affected
ecological features, ecosystem/s, persistence of biological diversity, maintenance of
etc.) ecosystem service provision, and/or importance to society (e.g. intrinsic
values, cultural significance)10.
VP Vice President
WWF World Wildlife Fund
μm micrometer
8
Lovejoy TE (1980) Changes in Biological Diversity. In: Barney GO (ed) The Global 2000 Report to the President, Vol 2 (The technical report). Penguin,
Harmondsworth, UK, pp 327–32
9
Fauna & Flora International (FFI). 2017. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Good Practice Guidance for Oil and Gas Operations in Marine Environments.
FFI: Cambridge U.K. Available from: www.fauna-flora.org. p. 133.
10
Ibid., p. 131
6. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
ADNOC Directorates: ADNOC Directorates shall be responsible to assign their respective

Functions/Divisions to be the ultimate owner of this Standard and be responsible/ accountable for its
development and implementation.
ADNOC Group Companies: Within the ADNOC Group Companies, the respective Division shall be
responsible/ accountable for the implementation of this Standard across the Group Company (GC) and
ensuring that Contractors implement the requirements thereof when undertaking an ADM study.
6.1. GROUP COMPANY
The Group Company shall be the ultimate owner of the biodiversity assessment and be
responsible/accountable for its development and implementation. The Group Company Group
Company Corporate Health Safety and Environment Function shall:
 Ensure that competent and independent subject matter experts are involved in the development
of the biodiversity assessment as per the competency requirements of this standard and the
competency requirements outlined in the HSEIA Standard (HSE-RM-02). The Group Company
Corporate Health Safety and Environment Team shall review and technically approve the
independent third party consultants including the CVs of the lead technical personnel associated
with ADM Studies;
 Review & technically approve the biodiversity assessment during any stage of the project
lifecycle (including the combined phase or modification projects);
 Liaise with ADNOC Group HSE Function for Regulatory Approval of biodiversity assessment as
part of EIA Reports by timely submissions and follow up; and
 The Group Company Corporate HSE Division shall be the custodian (single point repository) of
all the Group Company EIA Reports & HSEIA Dossiers developed for various projects &
operations.
In case of any projects undertaken by the ADNOC Directorates, the relevant Function Manager shall
be the technical approver and custodian of the biodiversity assessment.
6.2. THIRD PARTY INDEPENDENT CONSULTANTS
In the event the biodiversity assessment is being prepared by a third party independent consultant, the
consultant team shall meet the following requirements:
 The consultant shall be registered and pre-qualified by ADNOC and proposed team shall be
approved by respective GC CHSE as per technical evaluation criteria;
 The consultant engaged to conduct biodiversity assessment within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
shall be ‘Category A’ approved by EAD for the relevant ecological service, and;
 The competency requirements of the personnel involved in the biodiversity study shall comply
with this standard and the HSEIA Standard (HSE-RM-ST02).
7. REQUIREMENTS
7.1. BIODIVERSITY AND ITS IMPORTANCE
7.1.1. WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY?
Biodiversity or biological diversity is defined in Article 2 of the Convention of Biological Diversity (i.e.
Rio Convention, 1992) as the “variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia,
terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part;
this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems”. Thus, considering biological
diversity at three main levels: genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity. Genetic
diversity is the variation within a single species, including the differences among the individuals in a
local population that can be inherited. Another explanation of the diversity is exemplified by the varying
adaptations developed from interactions, as brought about by the various relationships in nature such
as competition, predation, commensalism, symbiosis, etc., amongst majority of the living forms often in
the context of evolution or co-evolution. Diversity of life can also be explained by the heterogeneity of
habitat in relation to the geographical diversity of the physical environment at the local, regional,
continental and at the global scale. As such variability in nature allows living forms to proliferate.
Simple as it may sound due to the above definitions, scientists and researches alike are often
confounded with the inherent difficulty to define and measure biodiversity in practice. Such that even
the most commonly used descriptor of species diversity, i.e. the species richness or number of species
within a community, is only at best a measure of one aspect of global biodiversity. Making any effort to
estimate global species diversity not easy, particularly when the current inventory of biodiversity is
deemed incomplete that there is an ever-widening gap on the estimates of the total number of species
in the world, which is thought to vary from 5 million to 50 million.
7.1.2. BIODIVERSITY OF THE UAE AND THE ABU DHABI EMIRATE
The natural landscape in the UAE is considered limited in terms of biodiversity, mainly influenced by
the particularly hot and dry environments. Despite this, a wide array of habitats comprising three main
ecosystems can found there; including desert ecosystem which takes up approximately 80% of the
country’s total area, mountain ecosystems (2.6% of the country’s area) and approximately 2,390 km of
coastal / marine ecosystem found bordering the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. Though vegetative
cover is generally limited due mainly to the prevailing severe climatic conditions, they are however
equally important as these habitats support what many consider as one of the most unique biodiversity
assemblages in the region. This includes sand desert habitat generally featuring a mixture of low dunes,
high dunes and intervening sand flats. The coastal areas which are typically characterised by narrow
raised beaches of calcareous sand with saline flats (sabkha) bordered by a low escarpment of tertiary
rocks.
Because of the UAE’s location being in a meeting point between the Indo-Asian and Afro-European
regions, the flora and fauna is relatively rich, with 731 plant species, 51 mammal species, 440 bird
species, 67 amphibian and reptile species and many marine species, including 40 varieties of coral
reefs, 500 fish species, 4 turtle species and 109 varieties of algae. In addition, approximately 2,636
species of invertebrates as well as 15 varieties of spiders are known from the UAE, though it is
estimated to range from 4,000 to 5,000 species overall.
Particularly in Abu Dhabi Emirate, approximately 3,787 terrestrial and marine species have been
recorded. This includes 436 vascular plants, 51 mammals, 427 birds, 57 amphibians and reptiles, 456
fishes, 47 sharks, rays and skates, and 2,313 invertebrates.
7.1.3. IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY
Concern for biodiversity has risen in recent years as the links between biodiversity and ecosystem
functioning becomes increasingly well established. Particularly as the role of biodiversity in maintaining
the delivery of ecosystem services that are essential to human well-being becomes substantially known.
Human societies have for so long benefited from, and have been dependent on, ecosystem services,
be it direct consumption as is the case of food or water, or via experiences (e.g. appreciation of
sceneries), or any other means that contribute to the overall environmental conditions for human life
(e.g. stability of climatic conditions and protection against calamities). Such that ecosystem services
can be broadly classified into four types, namely, supporting, provisioning, regulating, and cultural
services.
The importance of biodiversity becoming more apparent in the light of the dependency to some degree
of such ecosystem functioning. Species are however being lost today at accelerated rates, considered
to be 10–100 times higher than previous extinctions based on fossil records. With such an impending
collapse in global biodiversity, many experts believe that the ability of ecosystems to maintain providing
for human needs becomes suspect. Therefore, there is a growing impetus for the understanding and
saving of biological diversity.
7.1.4. ASSESSEMENT APPROACH
There are three key principals considered with biodiversity as outlined below:
(a) Precautionary principle

Presumption in favour of biodiversity protection where knowledge is lacking to ensure effective
avoidance or mitigation and where risks of irreversible loss are high. A recent report published
by Flora and Fauna International (FFI) reviews the application of the precautionary principle in
impact assessment and suggests that effective impact assessment, by definition, embodies a
precautionary approach, in that it assumes that there are risks to the environment; and that
additional information is required to avoid or reduce these risks to an acceptable level.
(b) No Net Loss Principle

Further losses of biodiversity should be stopped in line with international agreements and
obligations. The balance between impacts and offsets is the “biodiversity breakeven point” i.e.
the point where there is no net loss of biodiversity. It is an ongoing challenge to agree where and
when the breakeven point occurs and this point will differ according to location, time and the
perception of the person/ party impacted on or by the development.
Many companies are now looking at ways in which they can offset residual impacts and even
make positive contributions to biodiversity beyond the break-even point. In other words they are
aiming to achieve ‘net positive outcomes’ for biodiversity.
(c) An Ecosystem Approach

The ecosystem approach is a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living
resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way. The ecosystem
approach recognizes that humans are an integral component of ecosystems. In assessing
impacts on ecosystems, it is important to consider the different levels of biological organization
as well as essential processes, functions and interactions among organisms and their
environment, including people.
Key conclusions are the need for stakeholder engagement and public participation procedures
that capture biodiversity interests, as well as HSEIA procedures that reflect ecosystem processes
and limits. This means that surveys should take place not just within affected areas, but should
include all those areas where ecological changes might be induced (whether directly or indirectly).
For example if a small area of forest were affected directly, implications of this should be
considered for the whole forest.
The preferred approach with regards to biodiversity in ADNOC is that of the ecosystem approach.
This is consistent with the guidance issued by EAD.
7.2. OVERVIEW OF THIS STANDARD
As with any standard, this document does not intend to replace industry best practice guidance for the
assessment of ecological impacts. It is in this light that the guidelines published by the Chartered
Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) for Ecological Impact Assessment
(EcIA), still widely recognised as the industry standard is referenced where appropriate in this
Standard.
In line with the CIEEM, the impact assessment adapted in this Standard also follows a process that
which provides a useful framework for establishing a baseline and predicting and monitoring
ecological change. The EcIA thus comprise of the following stages:
 Scoping to establish the likely zone of influence and scope of data collection
 Baseline data collection involving desk study and field survey, possibly consultation (with
environmental authorities or similar institutions) to identify the ecological resources and
features likely to be affected
 Evaluation of ecological resources and the services they provide
 Assessment of predicted impacts, including potential for cumulative impacts
 Identification of avoidance and mitigation measures and proposals for any compensation
measures required to reduce residual impacts
 Assessment of the significance of residual impacts, based upon the refined project,
incorporating avoidance, mitigation and/or compensation measures
 Identification of monitoring measures required to evaluate success of mitigation or justify
assumptions from initial impact assessment
 A summary of the consequences for decision making for example, compliance with legislation
and proposals for monitoring the effectiveness of mitigation measures
7.3. SETTING THE BASELINE
7.3.1. BIODIVERSITY / ECOLOGICAL BASELINE CHARACTERISTICS
It is imperative that a robust baseline is established for the relevant biodiversity components or as a
minimum the key important ecological features of project sites including habitats and associated flora
and fauna before any meaningful assessment or ecological monitoring of the likely effects of a proposed
activity can be made. The reason for this is that adequately collected baselines provide an effective
reference point against which future changes associated with projects or development can be assessed
and for comparison during subsequent monitoring works. As such, baseline studies should be able to
comprehensively characterise the ecological features both within the boundaries of the projects and
the immediate surrounding areas.
The ecological baselining exercise should determine the habitats that will be potentially affected, the
floral and faunal species, population or communities that thrive in the area, the proximity of protected
areas or other important areas for biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning that can potential be
disrupted due to project activities.
This is also in line with the requirements of the EAD as stipulated in their Technical Guidance Document
for EIA (Ref. No. EAD-EQ-PCE-TG-02, EAD, 2014) which environmental baseline data to be collected
that will provide a comprehensive and detailed description of the current condition of the environmental
component. Specifically, the EAD requires that an evaluation and description should be done of all
habitats, ecosystems, and flora and fauna that could or will be impacted by the proposed project, with
special emphasis on habitats, systems, and flora and fauna that are threatened, endangered, uniquely
sensitive, or of regional or international importance. As a minimum, information on local, regional,
national, and international abundance of flora and fauna, the habitat requirements, territory or home-
range size, migration patterns, and other behavioural characteristics that could be impacted by the
proposed project should also be included. The sources of data or methods used to collect the baseline
data should account for seasonal and annual variations in the presence and the abundance of flora and
fauna. Therefore, the sampling regime used to characterize the baseline condition of flora and fauna
may require sampling across multiple seasons and years. The selection of the sampling regime should
be justified in the EIA report and be based on the flora and fauna present in the project area and area
of probable impact.
7.3.2. BASELINE SURVEY SCALE AND DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
In this stage, the specific approach for conducting the baseline studies are conceptualised and
generally deals with how biological information is generated. The approach is typically coupled with the
financial mechanism for completing the work and hence the final scale and design is often dictated by
ADNOC or the relevant ADNOC GCs.
ADNOC projects are of varying scales and nature and can be broadly categorised into either a liner
development (e.g. Oil Pipeline), non-linear (e.g. Oil Refinery) or a combination of both (e.g. Full Oilfield
Development) as well as encompasses either onshore, offshore or both environments. Therefore, as a
minimum, the design of the ecological baseline studies should be project-specific. The baseline data
collection should be relevant to the aims of the study, e.g., the likely ecological effects of a proposed
project, and should be able to identify all affected ecological features at the project footprint and
immediate surrounding areas.
Whilst the principles and process for ecological baselining outlined in this guidance are relevant to all
developments that may impact on ecological features, the data or information collected will be
proportionate to the nature and scale of the projects. It is the professional ecologists or practitioners
judgment to use their knowledge and experience to allocate the resources required for the collection of
adequate data in line with the required level of information as inputs for the impact assessment of each
project and to refine their own methodologies when deemed necessary and justified.
In sites where important ecological features are absent, a sufficiently comprehensive baseline may be
achieved through the preliminary desktop review and limited ecological field survey (e.g. site walk-
over/drive-over surveys or rapid ecological surveys). For others, where there is potential for impacts to
important ecological features, full ecological surveys are required, with focus on target groups or
covering a wider spatial (geographical) or temporal scale. Where there are protected species involved,
the specific requirements in respect of the timing (e.g. seasonality, breeding period, migration), duration
and baseline data collection methods will need to be considered. There should also be involvement of
other technical discipline experts as there may also be potential for site-based and wider cumulative
effects on ecological resources due to air and water quality impacts and those resulting from noise,
vibration and dust deposition.
7.3.3. HABITAT CLASSIFICATION
Habitats of the project areas can be mapped using information from the EAD enviroportal or through
project-specific remote sensing or imagery-based classification.
(a) EAD Habitat Classification Maps
The EAD has completed an analysis of the habitats of the entire Abu Dhabi Emirate’s marine
and terrestrial environments and these are available through their enviroportal
(https://enviroportal.ead.ae) which is depicted in the figure below.
Figure 7.3.1 : Abu Dhabi Habitat Map from EAD Enviroportal.
Appendix 1 provides a list of the terrestrial and marine habitat classification scheme adapted for
the Abu Dhabi Emirate.
(b) Imagery-Based Classification of Habitats

Initial Habitat Characterisation
An initial characterisation of what can potentially be present on site in terms of ecology
can be made through the use of preliminary habitat maps (often referred to as an “unknown
polygon map”, ”, refer to Figure 7.3.2) for use to inform the spatial and
temporal scales of field baseline surveys prior to mobilising for field data collection. An
unknown polygon map typically features unique and distinct landscape features that are
provided with a coded label containing information (e.g. spectral signature class) but the
actual vegetation or habitat type is not yet determined until the field sampling and ground-
truthing work.
Source: Sayre, et al. (2000)
Figure 7.3.2 : Sample Unknown Polygon Map from an Initial Analysis.
This characterisation is undertaken though interpretation of available imagery including

satellite images or aerial photographs to produce a preliminary classification of landscape
features in the relevant areas into a system of vegetation units, different classes that
distinguishes land surface features typically vegetation cover or land-uses or land covers.
Delineating these discernible land surface features from imageries (termed as entitation) will
provide indication on the number and distribution of various vegetation types. Vegetation type
characterisation or habitat classification of the study area is an integral part of the baselining
process.
Such preliminary and initial maps can be developed using digital image classification
techniques that analyses multispectral data collected by earth observation satellites to identify
key habitats. This initial classification can be carried out using a digital image classification
technique known as unsupervised classification. Using this technique, pixels within the satellite
image are grouped into classes with similar spectral properties. This will produce a preliminary
habitat map which can then be used by the field team to identify and focus the efforts in the
field and collect particular ground-truthing data to be used in the further analysis to refine the
habitat maps. Preliminary classification shall make use of imageries of resolution 300m or
better.
Although at this stage, the classification produced through the initial entitation is preliminary
and the actual vegetative cover composition can only be verified upon completion of fieldworks.
However, as discussed above, this is an important step as it allows preliminary characterisation
and mapping of potential biodiversity areas at the landscape level and facilitates the conduct
of the actual field sampling as the number of sampling areas and other logistical details of the
field surveys can be planned.
(c) Refining Habitat Classification

After the initial classification, further analysis will be undertaken to refine the classification maps
using a digital image classification technique known as supervised classification. Here a
combination of user defined training samples and ground-truthing data will be used to classify
the data into discrete pre-defined habitat classes. It often required for further analysis to for an
accuracy assessment to be carried out in order to validate the analysis.
Note that it is often difficult to assign the actual vegetation types from ground-truthing activities
with that of features delineated from image-based analysis. The reason for this is that some
vegetation types described on ground during field surveys cannot be distinguished in the imagery,
or the features distinguished in the image analysis may not always correspond to the actual
vegetation types described from the field. As such, a compromise will have to be made between
the remotely sensed data and what is verifiable on the ground with collaboration between the
ecologists and the remote sensing specialists for the final map development.
The field checking activity is provided in Section 7.3.4(c)(ii)1.
(d) Further Analysis

Further analysis can be carried out, especially for areas of high sensitivity such as areas where
key species of conservation value are present. Here higher resolution satellite imagery will be
used and that which will provide the capability to identify habitats at up to 10m resolution.
The geospatial modelling will be carried out within Geographical Information System (GIS) or
remote sensing software in order to determine the location where the species are most likely to
be found in relation to environmental and climatic predictors. The analysis will include the habitat
map, specific ground-truthing information on species of interest, as well as datasets such as
precipitation and elevation.
(e) Habitat Categories

The habitats of the project areas should be classified based on the EAD guidelines:
 EAD (2015), Terrestrial Habitat Classification, EAD – Abu Dhabi, UAE, 105 pp.
 EAD (2015), Marine Habitat Classification, EAD – Abu Dhabi, UAE, 57 pp.
7.3.4. FIELD DATA COLLECTION
(a) Sampling Processes

As noted in the above section, the design of the activities related to the establishment of an
ecological baseline should be specific to each project requirements. Surveys should account for
any factors that influences changes to the biological diversity due to seasonal effects (hence
decision will be made whether a single season or a seasonal survey will be required), and that
which may have an effect on the overall value of an ecological feature or the likelihood to be
influenced by impacts from project activities. As such, the surveys should be able to provide
quantitative (and qualitative data where applicable) data in which the description of the baseline
ecological conditions of a site, in terms of habitats and associated floral and faunal species, can
be based.
For terrestrial environments, the following minimum components should be adequately surveyed
and described:
Terrestrial habitats, including intertidal habitats such as mangroves, saltmarshes, etc.

Flora
Fauna
1. Mammals
2. Birds
3. Reptiles
4. Amphibians (where available)
5. Invertebrates (where practicable, but typically descriptions are only typically based
on limited data including accidental or chance finds)
For aquatic environments, the following minimum components should be adequately surveyed
and described:
Marine habitats, including, but not limited to, the following ecotypes:
1. Corals
2. Seagrasses
3. Macroalgae
Marine fauna
1. Large vertebrates
 Mammals
 Reptiles
 Cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes including Elasmobranchs)
 Large fishes
2. Flora including macroalgae
3. Plankton – Phytoplankton and Zooplankton
4. Benthic communities (e.g. Invertebrates, meiofauna, infauna)
(b) Field Sampling Approach

Field samplings will be undertaken within pre-determined and pre-approved locations within each
distinct vegetation type or landscape feature identified in the preliminary habitat mapping
exercise (see details in Section 7.3.3). As such, the selection of sampling locations are no longer
derived using the more conventional selection processes such as grid-based strategies (e.g.
random, stratified), as the locations are derived from a study of the unknown polygon map (see
Figure 7.3.2 above). Note that this map contains all the features represented by the polygons in
the target area, and only a sub-set of this is selected to be sampled.
Appendix 4 provides a summary of the anticipated methods that can be applied depending on
the type of development and based on the nature of the ecological features that may be present
in the Project site.
(c) Selecting Sampling Locations

Selection of sampling locations can be done through visual inspection of available imageries of
the target site and the preliminary map developed. Sampling location selection shall consider the
following:
Representativeness
Adequacy of coverage
Knowledge of known or suspected biodiversity value
Accessibility
In addition to the above, it is also considered for sampling locations to be in relative proximity for
practical reasons and to enhance sampling efficiency.
(d) Intensity of Sampling

In line with the overall HSEIA program as required by ADNOC, the field sampling will be
dependent on the level of information required and the resources allocated for the fieldwork and
are often limited by time constraints. However, it is important to note that the sampling principle
is based on representativeness, requires to be completed in replicates, across all the distinct
vegetations types. Repeated samples within vegetation types is required for the final mapping of
habitats and vegetation types. Regardless of the intensity chosen for the sampling effort,
however, all habitat types and associated vegetation communities should be sampled.
For brownfield areas or highly disturbed sites, sampling methodology may involve characterising
vegetation and the distributions of certain taxa at a given time by recording vegetation covers
and recording species presence during the fieldwork. Given this, the type of data to be collected
may be nominal (i.e. using a predefined category such as presence or absence). However, for
greenfield, undisturbed and more complex (in terms of habitats) sites, sampling shall be
undertaken to account for species abundances and seasonality. Because species abundance or
relative abundances will need to be determined, standard species inventory techniques and
exhaustive sampling will need to be employed. Data collected may be as simple as ordinal (an
extension of nominal data in which the categories are ordered, e.g. the so-called DAFOR scale
where species abundance are classified into an ordered scale such as “dominant”, “abundant”,
“frequent”, “occasional”, “rare”) or quantitative (e.g. frequency, percent cover, etc.).
A sampling plan should be developed detailing the rationale for selecting polygons for sampling
and the actual techniques to be employed to sample plants and animals. Framework for plant
and animal sampling techniques are further discussed in the following sections.
(e) Sampling Techniques

The ecological baseline survey will be conducted in the pre-selected sampling locations in
accordance with international best practice methodologies and standard techniques for sampling
plants and animals across the different terrestrial and marine environments.
There are two general types of sampling methods employed in ecological sampling for plants
and animals; quadrat and transect lines. A quadrat is a sampling unit in the form of a frame,
usually a square [1], of known area and that which is used to isolate a subset of the population.
In this method, the quadrat is placed randomly or systematically within a pre-selected sampling
location or plot and all the individuals within the quadrat are counted and/or measured. Quadrat
size affects the measured values of frequency, density, and cover, etc. and depend upon the
type of vegetation being sampled and should be decided upon a the onset by the professional
ecologists undertaking the survey. Typical quadrat sizes most often used are as follows:
0.01–0.25 m2 in bryophyte, lichen and algal communities

0.25–16.0m2 in grassland, tall herb, short scrub or aquatic macrophyte communities
25–100 m2 for tall shrub communities
400–2500 m2 for trees in woods and forests
However, other optimal quadrat sizes have been suggested for frequency estimates as follows:
0.01–0.1 m2 for the moss layer

1–2 m2 for the herb layer
4 m2 for tall herbs and low shrubs
10 m2 for tall shrubs and low trees
100 m2 for trees
A transect is a sampling unit in the form of a line [1] but not necessarily straight [2], and the
observation points along the line can be randomly or uniformly placed, depending on the required
data to be collected. The transect length will also depend on the type of vegetation being sampled.
In general, short transects, i.e. less than 50 m, are typically used to estimate vegetative cover in
herbaceous communities and long transects of 50 m or greater should be used in some shrub
communities.
Suitable and acceptable approaches as provided in published literature can be adopted and used,
and the professional ecologist is responsible for describing the approach, to allow for replicability
and representativeness, and justified where necessary. The ecological baseline survey may use
a combination of quadrat (mainly for plants) and transect (for fauna) surveys as further described
in the following sections. The literature below provides a comprehensive reference of biodiversity
sampling methods:
Hill, D. et al. (2005) Handbook of Biodiversity Methods: Survey, Evaluation and Monitoring.
Cambridge University Press [2]
For terrestrial ecological survey, methodologies used can be adopted from Hill, D. et al. (2005)
or other literature for specific approaches for sampling specific taxa or groups, for example:
Bibby, C. J., Burgess, N. D., Hill, D. A. and Mustoe, S. H. (2000) Bird Census Techniques.
Second edition. London: Academic Press [3]
Mueller-Dombois, D. and Ellenberg, H. (1974) Aims and Methods of Vegetation Ecology.
Wiley, New York. [4]
United Kingdom Onshore Oil and Gas (UKOOG) (2015) Guidelines for the Establishment
of Environmental Baselines for United Kingdom (UK) Onshore Oil and Gas, UKOOG, UK
[5]
For marine ecological surveys, methodologies used shall be adopted from the following
standards or manuals:
English S, Wilkinson CR and Baker VJ. (1994) Survey Manual for Tropical Marine
Resources. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville [6]
Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) (1999)
Manual of oceanographic observations and pollutant analyses methods (MOOPAM),
ROPME, Kuwait [7]
The Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and
Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) / Global Environment Facility (GEF) (2004) Standard Survey
Methods for Key Habitats and Key Species in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden - PERSGA
Technical Series No. 10, PERSGA, Jeddah [8]
Flora and Fauna International (FFI) (2017) Good Practice Guidance for Oil and Gas
Operations in Marine Environments. FFI: Cambridge U.K. [9]
(f) Marine Ecology
Given the dynamics and complexity of marine ecosystems, the scale and design of marine
ecological baseline survey is highly varied and depend greatly on project specific requirements.
The marine ecological professional tasked to undertake the survey will therefore be responsible
for designing the survey programme that which will commensurate with the level of information
required.
The following framework methods adapted mainly from Survey Manual for Tropical Marine
Resources [6] for characterising the marine ecological baseline of target sites are provided for
ease of reference to the most widely used methods for characterising marine ecological features.
(g) Transect Line Plots

Plots of 10m by 10m, typically comprising three plots at 25m intervals, are established along a
transect perpendicular to the shoreline. This method is typically applied in mangrove habitats
and provides quantitative descriptions of the species composition, community structure and plant
biomass.
(h) Transect – Quadrat Survey (including Dive Transect)

Transects are typically employed by establishing at least 30m - 50m transects depending on the
site. At each 10m interval, a 1m x 1m quadrat, with 16 sub-quadrats can be employed in which
all organisms including macroflora and fauna will be recorded and/or measured (Note that for
seagrasses, a 50cm x 50cm quadrat with 25 sub-quadrats is used). Substrate types will also
need to be noted.
Such method may be employed in characterising habitats and species in a variety of habitats
including but not limited to corals, seagrass and intertidal habitats.
(i) Quadrat Sampling

Quadrats of 50cm x 50cm size are randomly placed and all organisms within the quadrat are
recorded. This method is typically undertaken in triplicates and used for sampling seagrasses
and benthic communities.
(j) Line Intercept Transect

In line intercept transect method, a diver swims along a transect line (typically 25m long) placed
roughly parallel to the reef crest at depths between 3m and 10m at each site, and records
individuals intercepted by the line. This method is used to assess the sessile benthic community
of coral reefs. The community of characterised using lifeform categories which provide a
morphological description of the reef community.
(k) Fish Visual Census

Fish populations are assessed by visual census along a 25m - 50m transects. The transects are
censused during daylight hours by divers equipped with Self-contained Underwater Breathing
Apparatus (SCUBA) gears and are typically done in conjunction with the line intercept method
described above.
(l) Grab Sampling

Grab sampling can be done using grab samplers (e.g. 0.025 m2 Van Veen grab) at pre-selected
and approved sampling locations.
The infauna samples were then assessed for viability (with >35% grab volume considered
acceptable) before sieving through a 500μm (0.5mm) stainless steel sieve. The remaining
fraction was transferred to a clearly labelled sample pot for subsequent fixation with 5% buffered
formalin with Rose Bengal Stain (RBS) solution prior to infauna identification.
(m) Plankton Sampling

A water body can be sampled with plankton net, which are fine-mesh net with a bottle at the end,
obliquely trawled from a vessel at constant speed. This technique ensures that standardised
samples of known volumes of water are collected. The aim of this survey technique is to
determine the presence/absence of species and achieve measures of the number of cells of
species per unit volume of water.
(n) Video Transects

Video transects (e.g. Drop-Down Video or DDV surveys) are typically conducted on a 50m x
0.25m (depending on requirements and application of the data) belt transect wherein the images
of the benthic community are recorded on video recorders in the field. The captured videos are
viewed and analysed in real time (where equipment is set-up to facilitate real-time viewing) and
detailed analysis is conducted in a laboratory or other suitable off-site locations.
This method can be used to assess a variety of sessile benthic habitat and communities including
corals, seagrasses, soft bottoms, and rocky shores as well as other marine flora and fauna such
as fishes and invertebrates.
(o) Statistical Inferences

As required, data collection using the techniques described above will require some
mathematical or statistical inferences to give a good description of the communities sampled,
their distribution and abundance. As a minimum, diversity indices should be computed as this is
a widely used measure of integrating the complexity of a community.
Multivariate techniques of classification and ordination are also often required for benthic
communities as these allow considerations of species identify, unlike diversity indices which are
limited to a numerical expression of species abundance distributions.
(p) Terrestrial Ecology

Surveying Habitat
Note that habitats are noted to be best mapped initially using remote sensing techniques
or otherwise adapt the EAD habitat map to inform the ecological baseline information of a
site. Field checking should be undertaken for all habitat types represented in the initial
map to serve as a calibration for the image-based classification. This can be undertaken
by sampling at point locations within the unknown polygons in the map developed during
the preliminary analysis of imageries to verify the habitats and vegetation types.
General Sampling Methods

There a number of species survey techniques, mainly adapted from the Handbook of
Biodiversity Methods [2], that can be used to survey plants and animals in a site and these
are summarised below. Where there are specific requirements for surveying taxa or
groups, these are further detailed in the following sections.
Total Counts
This method involves counting the entire population of a given site to come up with at an
accurate assessment of the population size. Such approach is applicable to conspicuous
species in a small area, or an aggregating species such migratory birds.
Time Searches
This method involves counting the entire population of a given site to come up with at an
accurate assessment of the population size. Such approach is applicable to conspicuous
species in a small area, or an aggregating species such migratory birds.
Quadrats
As described above, a quadrat is a sampling unit in the form of a frame, usually a square
[1], of known area and that which is used to isolate a subset of the population. In this
method, the quadrat is placed randomly or systematically within a pre-selected sampling
location or plot and all the individuals within the quadrat are counted and/or measured.
Quadrats are used to define sample areas within which measurements of some sort are
taken. In this method, the species will simply be counted within the quadrat, either for
frequency data or for density (and hence population size) estimation.
Line and Strip Transects
A transect is a sampling unit in the form of a straight line [1], and the observation points
along the line can be randomly or uniformly placed, depending on the required data to be
collected. Transect methods involve moving along a line between two points and counting
the number of objects observed on either side of the line.
Line Intercept and Point Intercept Transects
These are the most basic types of transect, in which the transect is a simple one-
dimensional line. Only individuals that touch the line are recorded. Line intercept transects
record touches continuously along the line. Point intercepts record touches at regular
intervals along the line. This method cannot be used for surveying mobile species but is a
useful tool for surveying vegetation as it can be used to estimate relative abundance, cover
and frequency.
Point Counts
Point counts involve counting and/or measuring distances to objects in all directions from
a point. The method involves carrying out a standardised, timed count from a point.
Typically applied to surveying mobile species at a certain critical distance (as beyond this
detectability declines significantly and the species encountered should be ignored and not
recorded).
Flora
The vegetation of the site will be recorded as vegetation communities, recording all
species encountered and accounting the vegetation cover. Vegetation communities refers
to the natural assemblages of co-existing and interacting plant species that depend on and
modify their environments whilst vegetation cover is a broader grouping of similar
vegetation making up the habitats, e.g. grasslands, etc. The term vegetation types refer to
in this document representing either communities or cover.
Given the discussion above of the general site selection and sampling approach, there are
two general ways into which floral composition can be sampled in the field. Either through
sampling at point locations to verify the vegetation types and identify dominant floristic
groups, or through sampling in plots at a subset of pre-selected sampling locations/plots
to obtain quantitative information on plant diversity. For the point sampling, the coordinates
of the specific points will be captured with a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. At
this point, plant species will be identified out to 10m to 20m distance around the point in a
360-degree “sweep”. At the plots, plant diversity will be recorded in a quadrat of 10m x
10m quadrat (this can be modified to a 20m x 20m in tree groves).
Where the polygon is large, a combination of driven or walked survey can be undertaken,
stopping at distinct ecological feature and positioning a quadrat of approximately 20m x
20m area. In largely uniform habitats, at least one quadrat will be sampled to characterise
the habitat and flora. Otherwise, more variably covered habitats will be sampled using
multiple quadrats in which the number of quadrats will generally correspond to the number
of distinct vegetation types found in the area.
Further information on other applicable methods used that can be adapted on sampling
vegetation types are provided in Aims and Methods of Vegetation Ecology [4] as well as
other literature describing specific methods for vegetation survey and quantitative
assessment, examples are provided below:
1. Look-see method [2] – conducted by walking through the site, visiting the
appropriate habitat(s), and estimating each population size by eye or by counts if
possible. Population estimates can either be exact figures, or any means to give an
order of magnitude, or a crude indication of the population size can be given by
using the DAFOR scale (see Section 7.3.4 above). Though it is widely used and
probably applies to many situations and conditions, it is considered subjective and
provides relatively crude data
2. Line intercept method as described above - to estimate percentage cover.
Mammals
Due to the secretive nature of, and the effective use of cover by, many mammal species,
direct counts are often impossible. Larger mammals can however be effectively counted
by direct counts. Estimates of population size for the majority of small and medium sized
mammals depend on indirect methods, such as indices of evidence left by mammals or
live trapping.
As such, as a minimum, mammalian surveys should be undertaken using a combination
of timed searches, transects and point count surveys, supplemented by indirect methods
such as camera recording and live trappings. Mammals will be recorded when visually
sighted and observations of evidence of presence including tracks, burrows, scats, and
other signs, if identifiable. Nocturnal torchlight surveys may also be undertaken to
determine the presence of any mammalian species such as rodents, bats and foxes,
where practicable and permitted. The specific methodologies employed for the
mammalian surveys are further discussed below.
1. Small Non-Volant Mammals Survey
In areas where activities of small non-volant mammals have been noted, live traps,
e.g. Sherman Traps, baited with rolled oats coated with peanut butter will be
deployed in transect formation prior to sunset, with all traps collected within 1 hour
of sunrise the following day to limit stress on the captured animal and prolonged
exposure to elevated temperatures.
To supplement live trappings, remote infra-red camera traps baited with chicken
carcass or liver will be deployed for at least three (3) consecutive nights at various
locations to facilitate documenting secretive species, mainly medium sized
mammals.
2. Volant Mammals Survey
For the survey of volant mammals (i.e. bats), a combination of the following methods
can be undertaken, where practicable and permitted:
 Visual inspection of any trees or other human structures that may potentially
serve as roosting sites; and
 Mist netting.
The visual inspections can be done with the aid of high-quality binoculars. Areas
with standing water with a higher potential for fly-bys will also be visited, where
available, during dusk to increase the likelihood of observing bats. In addition, fully
qualified ecologists will set up mist nets in areas suitable for bat activity (e.g. wooded
corridors suspected to be fly-bys). The deployed mist nets will be observed for a
couple of hours from dusk to ensure that any bats captured are immediately
retrieved for identification and morphometric examination prior to release.
To supplement the above, passive acoustic (echolocation) monitoring can also be
conducted. Acoustic monitoring using automatic bat detection units (e.g. Anabat
Express) to detect bats’ ultra-sonic echolocation calls is a widely accepted and
useful technique for determining the presence of some bat species (exception of
the non-echolocating bats). Bat call recording units will need to be installed for 3
nights, locating them in areas that are favourable for bat roosting or foraging and
suspected pathways during emergence or return to roosting.
Birds
Birds are considered the most charismatic of all animal groups and hence the most
intensively studied such that substantial information on their distribution, ecology and
population statuses may already be available. They are highly mobile and relatively
conspicuous and hence can be easily identified.
Methods used for surveying and monitoring birds in the field may include one or a
combination of the following:
1. Total counts
2. Line transects
3. Point counts
4. Mist netting
Reptiles and Amphibians
For the assessment of reptiles (and amphibians, where applicable), can be undertaken
both day and night visual encounter survey. This will involve walking roads, existing trails
or purposely cut trails throughout a representative selection of all habitat types in search
of as many reptiles species as possible during the designated survey period (normally up
to 3 consecutive nights per sampling area).
Detection of reptiles along the transects (used for plant surveys) will be assisted with the
use of binoculars (scanning ahead for basking animals during the day) and for nocturnal
surveys, geckoes can be detected by listening for their calls (aural surveys) or with the use
of torches (to aid detection for reptile eye-shine). In addition, an effort should be made to
search under discarded plywood sheets and other anthropogenic debris as well as under
more natural shelters such as rocks and dead wood. Where it is permitted, pit fall traps
may also be set up to supplement recording of difficult to detect herpeto-faunal species
Invertebrates
Collection and sampling of invertebrate fauna using standard techniques (e.g. tree shaking
and pitfall traps) may be undertaken in conjunction with the above methods, e.g. transects,
quadrats, where practicable. Opportunistic or incidental records of invertebrates will also
be noted.
7.4. ECOLOGICAL EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENTS
The process involved in the assessment of ecological resources will follow the provisions within the
ADNOC Standard on EIA (HSE-EN-ST01). Compared with the other environmental aspects considered
in an EIA process, the assessment of ecological impacts should essentially report and assess
significant residual effects that remains after mitigations, though the potential significant effects without
mitigation should also be noted.
The EcIA should include potential impacts on each ecological feature determined as important (see
below for how importance of ecological features can be derived) from all phases of the project.
Finally, as detailed in the ADNOC Standard on EIA, the significant effects shall be assessed in the
context of the predicted baseline conditions within the zone(s) of influence during the entire life cycle of
the project.
7.4.1. DETERMINING IMPORTANCE
The impact assessment process should be able to demonstrate how a proposed development will be
able to comply with statutory requirements and policy objectives for biodiversity. National, regional and
international institutions and organisations have identified sites, habitats and species that can provide
the key focus for biodiversity conservation, and that which is supported by policy and legislation. These
provide an objective starting point for identifying the important ecological features that need to be
considered in impact assessments.
Relevant instruments for determining importance of ecological features are further discussed in the
following sections.
(a) Important or Designated Sites

In the context of the UAE and Abu Dhabi Emirate specifically, in areas where ADNOC operates,
importance of sites can be determined through designations, formal (in the form of legislation) or
otherwise (declared locally by the relevant government entities), as follows:
Examples of statutory sites designated or classified under international conventions (reference

websites for accessing the list or location maps of the sites are provided in parenthesis):
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World

Heritage Sites (https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/)
UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-
sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/biosphere-reserves/arab-states/)
Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar sites)
(https://www.ramsar.org/wetland/united-arab-emirates)
Examples of statutory and non-statutory sites designated under national legislation or guidance
and international organisations:
Protected Areas including those proposed protected areas
(https://enviroportal.ead.ae/map/)
Key Biodiversity Areas (http://www.keybiodiversityareas.org/site/mapsearch), Important
Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) (http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/mapsearch), etc.
Critical and Environmentally Sensitive Areas (https://enviroportal.ead.ae/map/)
Known Sacred sites
Sites occupied by Indigenous Peoples, hunting areas, medicinal plants, etc.
National or natural reserves
Locally designated wildlife refuges and sanctuaries (e.g. Zakher Pools, Ain Al Fayda Semi-
natural lake)
The EAD has recently published a guidance document for the classification and protection of
critical or environmentally sensitive habitats and should be referenced accordingly:
Al Dhaheri, S., Javed, S., Alzahlawi, N., Binkulaib, R., Cowie, W., Grandcourt, E. and
Kabshawi, M. (2017). Abu Dhabi Emirate Habitat Classification and Protection Guideline.
Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi.
A list of national, regional and international important sites and habitats are provided in Appendix
2 for reference.
(b) Important Species
Apart from international threatened species listing (e.g. International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN) Red List), the UAE has a number of publications and legislative instrument that
highlights key species for protection and conservation as follows:
UAE Priority Species
1. Environment, Health and Safety Management System (EHSMS) Manual Volume 2
Section 1 “Abu Dhabi Environment, Health, and Safety Protection Policies”, Part 8:
Emirate Environmental Protection Policy (EEPP) on Biodiversity and Conservation
– Annex I
2. Statistics Centre − Abu Dhabi (SCAD) (2018) - Biodiversity and Protected Area
Statistics – Abu Dhabi Emirate, Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi
3. Ministerial Order (224) for 2015 – Important Floral Species List
4. Local Biodiversity Action Plan priority species and habitats
 UAE Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) (2014) National Biodiversity
Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2014-2021, Ministry of Environment and
Water, Abu Dhabi
 EAD (2016) Strategic Plan: 2016-2020, Environmental Agency – Abu Dhabi)
UAE Protected Species
 Federal Law No. (9) for 1983 - regulating the hunting of birds and other
animals.
 Federal Law No. (11) for 2006 for amending some articles of Federal Law No.
24, 1999 for the Protection and Development of Environment.
 Local law number 22 for 2005 pertaining to regulation of the hunting of wild
animals in the Emirate – prohibiting hunting of mammals, birds and reptiles
without permission from the EAD
IUCN Red List (https://www.iucnredlist.org/)
Based on the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species [66], none of the vascular plants recorded
in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi are listed in any of the threatened species categories. However, the
local Red List indicates that at least seventeen (17) vascular plants found in the Emirate are
threatened. Among the terrestrial vertebrates, at least 42 species (31 birds, 7 mammals, 4
reptiles) are included in the IUCN Red List.
Of the threatened bird species the Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos) and Egyptian
Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) are known to breed in the mountains of the Emirate of Abu
Dhabi whilst the remaining species such as Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga), Saker Falcon
(Falco cherrug) and Cinereous Bunting (Embiriza cineracea) are migratory. Most of the
threatened mammals such as the Arabian Tahr (Arabitragus jayakari) and Arabian Gazelle
(Gazella arabica) are known to inhabit the desert regions of the Emirate. Among the threatened
reptiles, only the Egyptian Spiny–tailed Lizard (Uromastyx aegyptia) dwells in a terrestrial whilst
the remaining threatened are marine turtles.
A full list of species of priority and important species is provided in Appendix 3.
7.4.2. ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS
In line with the industry standards, the process of assessing the impacts involves the following:
 Identifying and characterising impacts and their effects

 Incorporating measures to avoid and mitigate negative impacts and effects
 Assessing the significance of any residual effects after mitigation
 Identifying appropriate compensation measures to offset significant residual effects, if any
 Identifying opportunities for ecological enhancement if necessary
Whilst it is widely considered that EcIAs essentially only assesses and reports significant residual
effects that remain after mitigation measures have been considered, it is good practice to clarify both
the potential significant effects without mitigation and the residual significant effects following mitigation
in the impact assessment process.
Also important to note, that the significant effects must be assessed in the context of the predicted
baseline conditions within the zone(s) of influence during the lifetime of the development. In addition,
impacts from other environmental parameters known to impact upon ecological resources such as
noise, light, dust, etc. should also be considered.
(a) Predicting Ecological Impacts and Effects

Ecological impacts and effects prediction process should consider relevant aspects of ecosystem
structure and function. Whilst there could be a number of potential impacts to a particular
ecological feature that results from an activity associated with the development, it is important to
describe in detail the impacts that are likely to be significant. Those impacts that are not
significant or unlikely to occur can then be scoped out of the impact assessment process.
However, justification is required for scoping out any of the identified ecological impacts.
(b) Characterising Impacts

The impact characterisation as provided in the ADNOC Standard on EIA (HSE-EN-ST01) shall
apply, and that which considers the magnitude and/or extent, the route through which impacts
occur (whether direct, indirect, secondary or cumulative) and the duration and reversibility of
effects. Positive and negative impacts should be considered.
In characterising the ecological impacts, only the characteristics relevant to understanding the
ecological effect of the impacts and determining its significance should be described.
(c) Assessment of Residual Impacts

Upon identification of impacts and effects and incorporation of measures to avoid and mitigate
ecological impacts, an assessment of the residual impacts can then be undertaken to determine
the significance of their effects on ecological features after mitigation.
Where the effects of the residual impacts remain significant, compensatory measures should be
proposed considering ecological objectives and other implications that will determine the
outcome of the action.
(d) Significance of Effects

As defined by CIEEM, significance is a concept related to the weight that should be attached to
effects when decisions are made. In line with the EcIA process, ‘significant effect’ is an effect
that either supports or undermines biodiversity conservation objectives for ‘important ecological
features’ or for biodiversity in general. Conservation objectives may be specific (e.g. for a
designated site) or broad (e.g. national/local nature conservation policy) or more wide-ranging
(enhancement of biodiversity). Effects can be considered significant at a wide range of scales
from international to local.
7.4.3. MITIGATION HIERARCHY
The mitigation hierarchy represents a framework involving a series of steps designed to help users
anticipate and implement actions to limit the negative direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of projects
to biodiversity and ecosystem services:
Avoidance – the first and important step in the sequence which requires potential impacts
are identified and options that avoid harm to ecological features (for example, by locating
on an alternative site) are implemented.
Minimisation – where all efforts to avoid are exhausted, the next step in the sequence is
to minimise the negative effects through actions that reduce the duration, intensity,
significance and/or extent of impacts that cannot be completely avoided.
Restoration – Where there are significant residual negative ecological effects despite the
mitigation proposed, the feasibility of restoration (carried out on-site that which can repair
the impacts caused by the project either directly or indirectly), should be investigated.
Offsetting – the last step in the mitigation hierarchy that can be considered where
practicable to offset the significant adverse residual impacts that remain after avoidance,
mitigation or restoration by appropriate compensatory measures.
Restoration and offsetting are considered remedial measures that are often complex, expensive and
without certainty in the outcome such that avoidance and minimisation must be prioritised as much as
practicable [9].
7.4.4. MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
Associated to the mitigation hierarchy identified above is the requirement for monitoring of the success
of the mitigation in keeping with legal requirements. An important aspect of establishing monitoring
programmes is the setting of indicators for impacts. The process of selecting indicators for impacts
through monitoring is important to gauge the performance of the project activities against biodiversity
targets. Monitoring biodiversity involves various activities and may involve specific and specialised
monitoring programme (e.g. monitoring benthic habitats, assessing the effects of project operations
and facilities on migratory species, determining changes in ecological community structure in relation
to operations).
The document ‘Biodiversity Indicators for Monitoring Impacts and Conservation Actions’ published by
Energy and Biodiversity Initiative in 2003 [10] remains relevant and very well covers the process of
establishing biodiversity monitoring for oil and gas operations and should be referenced in developing
monitoring programmes for individual projects.
The ecological baselining process is a critical step in the determination of biodiversity indicators for
monitoring impacts and conservation actions. The reason for this is that these iterative and transparent
processes should have set the baseline that which can be used as basis for narrowing the focus of the
evaluation from potential impacts to significant impacts in the context of the operation and the
surrounding environment. This can then be used for listing the indicators for each significant impacts
identified. Once the indicators have been chosen, it is then necessary to put them into operation. Note
that the foundation for subsequent monitoring is the baseline survey.
In general terms, monitoring is used to check that objectives and targets set at the onset have been
achieved, to identify new issues and potential impacts and as a feedback mechanism to modify and
improve practices.
7.4.5. BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLANS
The conservation of biodiversity is without doubt very important, for both the long-term and sustainable
provision of benefits that it provides humanity. Such that concern has steadily grown prompting
international, regional and national legislation including development of plans to conserve and enhance
biodiversity, in line with the target of the United National Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to
arrest the rate of biodiversity loss.
The ADNOC GC may also require biodiversity action plans depending on the results of the HSEIA
process and the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) development. However, in requiring a
Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), the ADNOC GC should bear in mind that there are strategy and action
plans that already exists at the national (UAE) and local (Emirate) levels with the main goal of a
“sustainable environment and the optimal use of resources to preserve natural heritage” as follows:
UAE NBSAP (2014-2021) – UAE strategic frameworks for action, stemming from the CBD,
and encompass both utilitarian and ethical perspectives on biodiversity conservation which
guide on-the-ground activity at smaller geographic scales.
EAD Strategic Plan (2016-2020) for Abu Dhabi – for the protection and conservation of
biological diversity.
In requiring a BAP, the ADNOC GC should consider the aims, objectives and priorities of such national,
regional and local plans.
International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) has published a

guidance document in 2005 [11] that which provide a summary of the logical process by which any
ADNOC GC can decide whether a BAP is mandatory, necessary, recommended or unnecessary as
the need for a BAP depends on its regulatory, ecosystem and business context. Following this, the
following can be referenced in determining the requirement for a BAP:
Mandatory – mainly due to legal, regulatory, planning, permitting or third party

requirements
Necessary (but not mandatory) – the presence of significant observed or predicted impacts
on priority or important species or critical habitats
Recommended – no legal requirements or significant observed or predicted impacts but
there may be business benefits that can be achieved, e.g. for making a positive
contribution to biodiversity conservation such as support to biodiversity-related initiatives
Without the above conditions, ADNOC GC can still decide to require a BAP based purely on
discretionary basis or decide that a BAP is unnecessary.
Note however that a BAP process covers both assessment (traditionally the domain of an EIA, or in the
case of ADNOC – HSEIA process) and the corresponding plan (i.e. an EMP), such that the BAP can
be a technical equivalent of an HSEIA and EMP documentation. A BAP is therefore not intended to
replace these standard approaches, and in cases where biodiversity is fully addressed in the HSEIA
and EMP processes, the BAP may only serve to partially or fully integrated into an HSEIA – EMP
process.
Preparation and implementation of a BAP as per IPIECA (2005) comprises the following elements:
Prerequisites – follows standard EIA/EMP approaches including as follows:
1. Determination of the legal, regulatory, planning, permitting and other requirements

2. Preliminary desktop assessment of the site or project context
3. Baseline survey of biodiversity
4. Biodiversity impact assessment
Preparation of the BAP
1. Establishment of priorities for conservation - Identify species, habitats and
ecosystems (occurrence and services) that need special management, taking into
account international, national and local priorities within existing national and local
biodiversity action plans and related priorities, as well as secondary impacts on
biodiversity and ecosystem functions outside the fence line, including socio-
economic aspects.
2. Identification of conservation actions, to be undertaken based on priority - Identify
the objectives of the BAP, set out the prioritised actions to achieve these objectives,
and set targets against which progress can be monitored
Implementation of the BAP - develop and implement a management schedule for the
implementation process to ensure that the BAP is conducted in accordance with the steps
necessary to meet defined objectives and address priorities
Monitoring, evaluation and improvement - assess biodiversity status, track implementation
of the BAP and make adjustments to reflect changes to biodiversity as resulting from
company activities
Reporting, communication and verification - Report, communicate and verify the progress
and outcomes of the BAP internally and to relevant or interested parties externally
7.5. REPORTING FRAMEWORK
This section provides guidance regarding the general requirements to be included in the final
biodiversity assessment report for submission to the relevant authority/ies (e.g. ADNOC, EAD, etc.). It
serves as a framework describing the minimum requirements to be included to enable sufficient review
and facilitate competent decision-making regarding biodiversity impacts.
As biodiversity assessment reports should be tailored to the requirement of each project, additional
information that is deemed relevant by the professional ecologists who completed the surveys and that
which adds value may be included but should be justified.
7.5.1. REPORT CONTENTS
The final biodiversity assessment report, either as stand-alone or as part of the EIAs within the overall
HSEIA report should clearly set out all the ecological information necessary to inform decision making
process. The following are the key aspects that need to be described adequately [12]:
Ecological baseline and trends if the project were not to go ahead, including the survey
data used to inform the baseline
Criteria used to evaluate ecological features
Criteria used to assess the significance of effects arising from the impacts of the project
Justification of methods used
The identification of likely impacts (positive and negative) on ecological features together
with an explanation of the significance of the overall effects for each important ecological
feature
Mitigation, compensation and enhancement measures
Legal and policy consequences

Identification of any limitations to the assessment, or the surveys which underpin it, and
an explanation of the implications
A presentation of any analytical techniques used and the analysis itself.
The report should also set out the ecological monitoring [12] required to:
Confirm the implementation of conditions/planning agreements

Audit predicted impacts against the actual situation
Take measures to rectify unexpected negative impacts and ineffective mitigation,
compensation and enhancement measures.
7.6. COMPETENCY OF ECOLOGY PRACTITIONER
As a minimum requirement, the company to be contracted for ecological services for ADNOC project/s
should be registered with the EAD as a Class A registered environmental consultant, approved for
undertaking ecology studies.
The ecology practitioner should have demonstrated educational qualification and experience relevant
to delivering ecological studies. The Lead Ecologist/s should have at least a Master of Science degree
in Biological Sciences or other specialisms, e.g. Zoology or Botany, Wildlife, Environmental Biology, or
highly related sciences. The other Ecologist/s should be at least a holder of a Bachelor of Science
degree in Biological Sciences or other specialisms, e.g. Zoology or Botany, Wildlife, Environmental
Biology, or highly related sciences. In addition, the Lead and other Ecologist/s should have at least ten
(10) years of relevant professional experience in biological or ecological studies, with at least five (5)
years experience in working in the UAE.
8. COMPLIANCE ASSURANCE
ADNOC and GCs shall conduct an audit of the implementation of this Standard at the intervals defined
in the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Audit Standard. The close out of the actions arising from
the EIA process (which includes ecological studies) shall be reviewed and closed in accordance with
the Project Health, Safety, and Environment Review (PHSER) Standard.
The approvals from the following authorities and compliance to their conditions and monitoring
requirements shall be verified during operation:
ADNOC HSEIA approval

No Objection Certificate (NOC) from EAD (if applicable) and/or any other regulatory
authorities
Any other requirements arising from regulatory authorities
8.1. PERFORMANCE KPIS
Table 8.1.1: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
No. KPI Targets
1 Report on Bio-diversity Assessment 100% compliance
9. REFERENCES
1. P. G. Hoel, “The Accuracy of Sampling Methods in Ecology,” The Annals of Mathematical

Statistics, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 289-300, 1943.
2. D. Hill, M. Fasham, G. Tucker, M. Shewry and P. Shaw, Eds., Handbook of Biodiversity Methods:
Survey, Evaluation and Monitoring, Cambridge University Press, 2005.
3. C. J. Bibby, N. D. Burgess, D. A. Hill and S. H. Mustoe, Bird Census Techniques. Second edition.
London: Academic Press. London: Academic Press, 2000.
4. D. Mueller-Dombois and H. Ellenberg, Aims and Methods of Vegetation Ecology., New York:
Wiley, 1974.
5. UKOOG , “Guidelines for the Establishment of Environmental Baselines for UK Onshore Oil and
Gas, UKOOG, UK,” United Kingdom Onshore Oil and Gas (UKOOG) , UK, 2015.
6. S. English, C. Wilkinson and V. B. (eds), “Survey manual for tropical marine resources,”
Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, 1997.
7. ROPME, “Manual of oceanographic observations and pollutant analyses methods (MOOPAM),”
Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment, Kuwait, 1999.
8. PERSGA/GEF, “Standard Survey Methods for Key Habitats and Key Species in the Red Sea
and Gulf of Aden,” PERSGA, Jeddah, KSA, 2004.
9. FFI, Good Practice Guidance for Oil and Gas Operations in Marine Environments, Cambridge
U.K. : Flora and Fauna International (FFI) , 2017.
10. EBI, “Biodiversity Indicators for Monitoring Impacts and Conservation Actions,” The Energy and
Biodiversity Initiative, 2003.
11. IPIECA/OGP, “A Guide to Developing Biodiversity Action Plans for the Oil and Gas Sector,”
International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) &
International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (OGP), 2005.
12. CIEEM, “Guidelines for Ecological Impacts Assessment in the UK and Ireland - Terrestrial,
Freshwater, Coastal and Marine,” Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental
Management (CIEEM), Winchester, 2018.
10. APPENDICES
Appendix 1 EAD Habitat Classification Code

Appendix 2 Important Sites and Protected Habitats.
Appendix 3 Priority Species List
Appendix 4 Summary of Requirements for Ecological Baseline Surveys
EAD Habitat Classification Code
APPENDIX 1
– EAD HABITAT CLASSIFICATION CODE
Type No. Sub-Type Habitat Type

No.
1000 Intertidal habitats
1010 Mudflats and sand exposed at low tide
1020 Sheltered tidal flats with cyanobacterial mats
1030 Saltmarsh
1040 Mangroves
1050 Storm beach ridges
1060 Sandy beaches
1070 Beach rock and gravelly beaches
2000 Coastal plains, sand sheets and low dunes
2011 Coastal plains on well-drained sandy ground
2012 Coastal plains on well-drained rocky or gravelly terrain
2020 Coastal sand sheets and low dunes
2030 Coastal cliffs, headlands, rocky slopes and wadis in coastal
situations
3000 Coastal sabkha, including Sabkha Matti
3100 Coastal sabkha, including Sabkha Matti
4000 Sand sheets and dunes
4110 Sand sheets and dunes with tree cover
4120 Sand sheets and dunes with shrub cover
4130 Sand sheets and dunes with dwarf shrub cover
4140 Sand sheets and dunes with perennial herbs and graminoids
4200 Mega-dunes
5000 Gravel plains (alluvial and interdunal)
5110 Gravel plains with distinct tree vegetation
5120 Gravel plains with dwarf shrub vegetation
5130 Gravel plains with sparse vegetation
5200 Inland sabkha
6000 Mountains, rocky terrain and wadis
6100 Mountain slopes, screes and associated wadis
6210 Jebels (including mesas and burqas)
6220 Escarpments, lithified sand dunes, rocky exposures
6320 Wadis in open terrain, and drainage channels
7000 Inland standing water habitats and habitats of moist ground
7100 Semi-artificial lakes
7200 Moist ground with Phragmites, Tamarix and grass mats
8000 Oases, Farmland and Forestry
8100 Date plantations
8200 Farmland
8300 Livestock areas
Standard No.: HSE-EN-ST06 Version No.: 1 Effective date: January 2020 Page 38 of
66
Important Sites and Protected Habitats
APPENDIX 2
– IMPORTANT SITES AND PROTECTED HABITATS
Important/Designated Sites
Site / Habitat Description

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Cultural Sites of Al Ain (Hafit, Hili, Bidaa The Cultural Sites of Al Ain (Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud and Oases
Bint Saud and Oases Areas) Areas) constitute a serial property that testifies to sedentary
human occupation of a desert region since the Neolithic period
with vestiges of many prehistoric cultures. Remarkable vestiges
in the property include circular stone tombs (ca 2500 B.C.), wells
and a wide range of adobe constructions: residential buildings,
towers, palaces and administrative buildings. Hili moreover
features one of the oldest examples of the sophisticated aflaj
irrigation system which dates back to the Iron Age. The property
provides important testimony to the transition of cultures in the
region from hunting and gathering to sedentarization.
UNESCO Biosphere Reserves
Marawah The 425,500ha site includes numerous islands and a coastline
stretching over 120 km, comprises several important
representatives habitats with national and regional significance.
These habitats include sea grass beds (3 species), coral reef
communities (more than 18 species), macroalgae outcrops (more
than 15 species) and mangrove vegetation (monostands of
Avicennia marina). Marawah Biosphere reserve is also of global
importance as a shelter and feeding ground for the vulnerable
Dugongs (Dugong dugon).
Wadi Wurayah Situated in the Emirate of Fujairah, the biosphere reserve consists
of a water catchment area in an arid climate that is part of the
Haiar mountain range. The site hosts a rich fauna and flora
endemic to the Arabian Peninsula. It is one of the last Emirati
places where traditional farming practices are still maintained.
Wetlands of International Importance
(RAMSAR)
Sir Bu Nair Island Protected Area Despite its small size (4,964 ha.), the site supports a high
biodiversity for the biogeographic region. A total of 40 coral
species and 76 reef fish species have been recorded, including
seven coral species that are Red Listed as Vulnerable. The site is
an important nesting site for the Critically Endangered Hawksbill
turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), and supports more than 1% of the
regional breeding population of the Sooty gull (Larus hemprichii).
Hatta Mountain Reserve The Hatta Mountain Reserve is located in the Hajar mountains at
the northern tip of the Arabian Highland Woodlands and
Shrublands, a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Global 200 Ecoregion.
This mountain range is part of the Oman-UAE ophiolite, which is
the largest and the best-preserved complex in the world of this
geological feature. It supports 19% of all the plant species
recorded in the country, 79% of its dragonflies, 27% of its birds,
44% of its mammals and 30% of its reptiles and amphibians.
Some of these are globally threatened, such as the critically
endangered Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr); the
endangered Arabian tahr (Hemitragus jayakari) and Egyptian
vulture (Neophron percnopterus); and the vulnerable aoudad
(Ammotragus lervia) and greater spotted eagle (Aquila clanga).
The Site is one of the very few along the mountain range with
breeding habitats for waterbirds, fish and amphibians.
APPENDIX 2

Al-Zora Protected Area Al-Zora Protected Area is recognised as one of the IBAs in the
region; it supports 87 bird species including the vulnerable greater
spotted eagle (Aquila clanga) and Socotra cormorant
(Phalacrocorax nigrogularis). It is also an important area for
migrating birds such as the broad-billed sandpiper (Limicola
falcinellus), and the greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) in
winter.
Al Watbha wetland Reserves Formerly a salt flat ('sabkha' in Arabic) that used to flood only
during winter rainfall, it is now maintained by a regular supply of
tertiary treated freshwater from a nearby sewage treatment plant.
This regulation of the water level results in hypersaline, brackish
and freshwater habitat of varying depths, providing an ideal site
for many wetland dependent species within a hyper-arid
biogeographic region. The area was declared as a reserve after
the first successful breeding of the Greater Flamingo
(Phoenicopterus roseus) there in 1998, marking the first known
successful breeding of this species in the Arabian Peninsula since
1922. Threatened wildlife can be seen, including the critically
endangered Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarious) and the
vulnerable Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) and Greater
Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga). The site also regularly supports
breeding populations of the Kentish Plover (Charadrius
alexandrines) and Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta). Access
to the general public is currently limited to educational tours and
bird watching groups; however, a future visitor centre is being
planned to encourage tourism.
Bul Syayeef The international importance of the Site is due to its highly diverse
wetland habitats including mangroves, salt marshes and
seagrass beds, and the large number of species which they host.
Its tidal mudflats are home to over 80 migratory and resident birds.
In 2009 it hosted one of the largest breeding events of the greater
flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) with a record of 2,000 breeding
pairs and 801 hatchlings. The Site also supports globally
threatened species such as the critically endangered hawksbill
turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and the endangered green turtle
(Chelonia mydas). The greater spotted eagle (Aquila clanga), the
Socotra cormorant (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis) and the dugong
(Dugong dugon) are all classed as vulnerable. Potential threats
within and around the Site are related to the growth of housing
and commercial and industrial areas, transportation and fishing
activities.
APPENDIX 2

Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary A rare site in the arid Gulf region, this natural coastal wetland
consists of low-lying saline flats, lagoon, intertidal mud and sand
flats and mangrove swamps that serve as an important habitat for
more than 450 species of fauna and 47 species of flora. During
winter, it regularly supports more than 20,000 waterbirds
belonging to 67 species and acts as a critical staging ground for
migratory waterbirds along the East African-West Asian Flyway.
A number of globally threatened species such as the Sociable
Lapwing Vanellus gregarius and Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila
clanga are seen in the area; more than 3,000 Greater Flamingoes
Phoenicopterus ruber have been counted, and more than 1% of
the regional population of Broad-billed Sandpipers Limicola
falcinellus migrate through in autumn and spring. Located in the
heart of Dubai city, the site receives an average of 10,000 visitors
annually and is a valuable conservation and educational center.
A visitor center that will serve as the Regional Center for
Excellence in Communication, Education and Public Awareness
(CEPA) is planned with the goal of promoting awareness of
wetland ecosystems and wetland management in the Arab region.
Jabal Ali Wetland Sanctuary This coastal and marine wetland comprises areas of coral reefs,
mangroves, shallow lagoons, seagrass beds, oyster beds and
sandy shorelines, which maintain a healthy and diverse wetland
habitat that provides shelter for over 500 marine species. Among
these are many globally threatened species such as the critically
endangered hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata); the
endangered mottled eagle ray (Aetomylaeus maculatus) and
green turtle (Chelonia mydas); and the vulnerable dugong
(Dugong dugon) and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa
chinensis). The extensive seagrass beds serve as an important
fish nursery and feeding ground for the green turtles and dugong;
the sandy beaches provide the only breeding grounds in the
Emirate for the hawksbill turtles (with 30 nests recorded in 2017).
Given the rapid development of coastal areas in the Emirates,
there are very few such sites remaining that support a relatively
diverse set of habitats and rich biodiversity, and conserving this
ecosystem is crucial for the survival of the species it supports.
Wasit Nature Reserve It is a unique lake which represents a part of the remaining
endangered coastal habitats: it was formerly a tidal lagoon,
providing important evidence of the evolution of the coastline. The
Site supports a rich diversity of wetland species. Its mudflats,
lakes, dunes, reed beds and woody thickets support a range of
plants, and at least 144 bird species including many migrants.
There are several near-threatened species such as curlew
sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), bar-tailed godwit (Limosa
lapponica), black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa), Eurasian curlew
(Numenius arquata) and the globally vulnerable Socotra
cormorant (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis). The reserve, owned by
the government of Sharjah Emirate, was declared as a National
Protected Area in 2004. A visitor centre was established in
November 2015 for education, public awareness and eco-
tourism.
APPENDIX 2

Mangrove and Alhafeya Protected Area Located in the far east of the country near the border with Oman,
In Khor Kalba the site comprises coastal subtidal, intertidal (sand beach,
mangroves, mud and tidal channels), supratidal sand, salt marsh
and saline flats, as well as encompassing a narrow alluvial plain
dominated by Acacia woodland. The Avicennia marina mangrove
trees found in Kalba are the tallest and comprise the most
extensive mature woodland in the biogeographic region; they
provide breeding, nursery and feeding grounds for several fish
and invertebrate species, besides protecting the coastline from
storm damage and erosion while trapping sediments washed off
the land. The critically endangered Hawksbill turtles
(Eretmochelys imbricata) and endangered Green turtles
(Chelonia mydas) can be observed near the mouth of the
mangrove's inlet, entering the creeks at high tide to feed on sea
grasses and algae. The area is of great ornithological interest, and
an endemic subspecies, the White-collared Kingfisher
Todiramphus chloris kalbaensis, breeds almost exclusively at this
site, which is also one of just two breeding localities in the region
for Sykes's Warbler Hippolais rama. The management and
monitoring of this site is carried out with the involvement of the
local residents, and an educational visitor centre is planned
Wadi Wurayah National Park The area's geology has created a unique hydrogeological system
that allows run-off water to emerge between impermeable and
permeable rock creating freshwater streams, pools and
waterfalls, all of which are uncommon in an arid region. The
diversity of freshwater habitats provide important spawning
ground for fish such as Garra barreimiae (Cyprinidae) which is
threatened and endemic to the Arabian Peninsula, including
seven newly discovered insect species of which four (Order:
Ephemeroptera) have water dependent larval stages.
Protected Areas
In an effort to protect the fragile and important terrestrial ecosystems, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi through
the EAD have developed the Protected Area Network. The network of protected areas aims to protect
and conserve ecosystems which support significant number of flora and fauna and habitat to threatened
wildlife species. Presently, there are nineteen (19) declared protected terrestrial and marine areas in
the Emirate of Abu Dhabi as detailed in the table below.
Protected Area Ecosystem Total Area (in km2)

Al Saadyat Marine 59.2
Eastern Mangroves Marine 9.9
Al Wathba Wetland Reserve Terrestrial 4.6
Jebel Hafit National Park Terrestrial 81
Al Beda’a Terrestrial 1,264
Bul Syayeef Marine 145.2
Al Delfaoya Terrestrial 141
Al Tawi Terrestrial 45
Bida’a Hazza’ Terrestrial 77
Barqa Al Soqour Terrestrial 79
Yao Al Debsah Terrestrial 212
APPENDIX 2
Protected Area Ecosystem Total Area (in km2)

Al Ramlah Terrestrial 544
Ras Ghanada Marine 54.6
Arabian Oryx Protected Area Terrestrial 5974
Al Houbara Terrestrial 773
Qaser Al Sarab Terrestrial 308
Al Marzoum (Al Ghada) Protected Area Terrestrial 923
Al Yasat Marine 2,083.1
Marawah Marine 4,259.2
Among these, five Protected Areas and Important or Designated Sites are in close proximity to ADNOC
fields or concession areas and hence should be considered where development activities will be located
in these areas.
Protected Area/ Designated/Important Sites Nearest ADNOC Fields

Al Wathba Wetlands Jarn Yaphour
Al Yasat Marine Protected Area Arzana Island
Marawah Biosphere Reserve Ghasha, Hail, Mubaraz island
Umm az Zumul National Park Qusahwira, Mender
Al Ghada Protected Area Rumaitha
Critical and Environmentally Sensitive Habitats
EAD Habitat Code Habitat Type Description

Critical
11,000 Coral Reef Areas characterized by a substrate or environmental setting
largely constructed by the reef-building activities of corals
and associated organisms.
12,000 Seagrass Subtidal benthic substrates, generally composed of
unconsolidated sediments, and characterised by greater than
10% cover of rooted vascular seagrass species.
1040 Mangroves Salt-tolerant trees that grow in the shallow tidal waters of
some coastal areas. The naturally occurring species of
mangrove (Avicennia marina) found in Abu Dhabi, locally
called ‘Qurm', is the grey or white mangrove.
1030 Salt Marsh Intertidal areas dominated by emergent halophytic
herbaceous vegetation and shrubs.
6100 Mountain slopes, Mountain terrain including rocky foothills, associated wadis.
screes and These areas support the highest level of floristic diversity.
associated wadis Mountain slopes have low vegetation cover but are species
rich with trees, stem succulents, shrubs, dwarf shrubs and
perennial grasses. Species supported include Cenchrus
APPENDIX 2

ciliaris, Cymbopogon commutatus, Panicum turgidum;
Pennisetum divisum; Blepharis ciliaris; Pulicaria glutinosa
6320 Wadis in open Wadis, seen in close association with mountains are
terrain & drainage remarkably species rich. Species supported include Acacia
channels tortilis; Euphorbia larica; Lycium shawii; Moringa peregrine;
Acridocarpus orientalis and Dodonaea viscosa
4110 Sand Sheets and Areas of undulating sandy dunes with less than 20 m
Dunes with Tree elevation and more than 1% of tree cover. Species of
Cover importance is the Ghaf Prosopis cineraria. Breeding birds
include Collared Dove, Greater Hoopoe-lark, Crested Lark
and Southern Grey Shrike. The trees are used for roosting,
and, probably in a few cases for breeding, by Desert Eagle
Owl.
5120 & 5130 Alluvial or Areas of substrate consisting of gravel, pebbles or gravel
interdunal plains material supporting dwarf shrub and shrub vegetation.
(gravel plains) Alluvial plains are substrate consisting of gravels, pebbles
and rocky materials. Interdunal plains consist of sandy-
gravelly substrate or thin sheets of sand overlying gravelly
deposits. These areas are important for the native Haloxylon
salicornicum (locally known as Rimth).
5110 Northern Alluvial or This habitat category has been separated from the ‘Alluvial
interdunal plains or interdunal plains’ due to its distinct importance for Acacia
tortillis trees. This habitat is limited to the plains surrounding
the Jebel Hafit area.
6210 Burqas and Mesas Burqas and Mesas are the traditional local names for rocky
outcrops and small jebels of the western region that have
long had informal protection through the late Sheikh Zayed’s
verbal instructions. They are unique topographic features
and prove a key ecological function as nesting and denning
habitat for birds and bats, as well as holding significant
cultural value.
4120 & 4130 Sand sheets and Areas of undulating sandy dunes with less than 20 m
dunes with shrub or elevation and with significant shrub cover (i.e. woody plants).
dwarf shrub cover These areas are important for the native Haloxylon
salicornicum (locally known as Rimth) and Haloxylon
Persicum (locally known as Ghada).
1010 Mudflats and sand Coastal wetlands that form when mud is deposited by tides,
exposed at low tide mostly devoid of vegetation. Mudflats represent an important
habitat for wading birds, especially migratory species in the
plover and sandpiper families, which feed on benthic
invertebrates.
Environmentally Sensitive Habitat
13,010 Macroalgal Seaweeds (macro algae) that are found either in combination
communities with seagrass and reef communities or in a separate
community aggregations.
APPENDIX 2

3000 Coastal sabkha Coastal sediment flats at or just above the level of normal
high tide which consists of sand, silt or clay and its surface is
often covered with a salt crust formed by the evaporation of
water drawn to the surface by capillary action or from
occasional marine inundations.
1020 Intertidal flats with Thin mats of cyanobacteria overlying saline sand in sheltered
cyanobacterial coastal locations. These areas are very nearly flat, and are
mats adjacent to and on the upper margin of intertidal flats. Usually
devoid of higher plants, although some halophytes may
occur. They are black in colour and often completely covered
by cyanobacterial mats. They hold immense value as blue
carbon storage.
2030 Islands (Salt Dome) Areas of elevated firm ground near the coast with halophytic
and coastal rocky flora. Includes low to high cliffs on the immediate coastline as
cliffs well as salt domes located on islands.
1050 Storm Beach Sandy, hummocky, vegetated ground parallel and above the
Ridges high water mark, less than 1 m high, with more than 20%
vegetation cover and occasionally getting overtopped by
storms.
1070 Beach Rock and Exposed low-angle intertidal shoreline terrace characterised
Gravelly Beaches by bedrock or boulders which singly or in combination have
an aerial cover of 75% or more.
4140 Sand sheets and Areas of undulating sandy desert with dunes less than 20
dunes with metres in elevation, and without significant cover of trees,
perennial herbs shrubs and dwarf shrubs. Vegetated to non-vegetated sand
and graminoids and dune areas colonized by perennial herbs and or
graminoids.
2020 Coastal sand Vegetated terrain on normally pale sand (mostly carbonate),
sheets and low with a coastal influence affecting the vegetation. Perennial
dunes grasses and dwarf shrubs are the most prominent elements
of the flora. Has more than 3% vegetation cover.
Priority Species List
APPENDIX 3
– PRIORITY SPECIES LIST
List of priority species as per Annex I of the EHSMS Manual Volume 2 Section 1 “Abu Dhabi
Environment, Health and Safety Protection Policies” Part 8: EEPP Biodiversity and Conservation
Category Class Scientific Name Common Name Arabic Name
Category I Aves Chlamydotis macqueeni Houbara Bustard ‫الحبارى‬
Cursorius cursor Cream coloured Courser ‫الكروان‬
Falco cherrug Saker Falcon ‫الصقر الحر‬
Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon ‫الشاهين‬
Pterocles exustus Chestnut-bellied ‫القطا كستنائي البطن‬

Sandgrouse
Mammalia Caracal caracal Caracal ‫الوشق‬
Gazella gazelle cora Arabian gazelle (Edmi) )‫غزال الجبل (االدمي‬
Gazella subgutturosa Goitred (Sand) Gazelle ‫غزال الريم‬
Hemitragus jayakari Arabian Tahr ‫الطهر العربي‬
Lepus capensis Cape Hare ‫األرنب البري‬
Oryx leucoryx Arabian Oryx ‫المها العربي‬
Panthera pardus nimr Arabian Leopard ‫النمر العربي‬
Reptilia Caretta caretta Loggerhead Turtle ‫سلحفاة بحرية مثلثة الرأس‬
Chelonia mydus Green turtles ‫سلحفاة البحرية الخضراء‬
Dermochelys coriacea Leatherback Turtle ‫سلحفاة بحرية جلدية الظهر‬
Eretmochelys imbricata Hawksbill Turtle ‫سلحفاة بحرية منقار الباشق‬
Category II Aves Accipiter badius Shikra )‫الباشق الكستنائي (شيكر‬
Accipiter gentilis Goshawk ‫الباز‬
Accipiter nisus Levant Sparrowhawk ‫باشق ليفانت‬
Accipiter nisus Sparrowhawk ‫الباشق‬
Alectoris chukar Chukar )‫الشنار (السفرج‬
Ammoperdix heyi Sand Partridge ‫جحل الرمال‬
Anas acuta Pintail ‫البلبول‬
APPENDIX 3
Anas clypeata Shoveler )‫أبو مجرف (الكيش‬
Anas crecca Teal ‫الحذف الشتوي‬
Anas penelope Wigeon ‫الصواي‬
Anas platyrhynchos Mallard )‫الخضاري (أبو حشيش‬
Anas querquedula Ferruginous Duck ‫الحذف الصيفي‬
Anas strepera Gadwall ‫يط سماري‬
Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose ‫اإلوزة الغراء‬
Anser anser Greylag Goose ‫اوز أربد‬
Anser erythropus Lesser White-fronted ‫االوزة الغراء الصغيرة‬

Goose
Anthropoides virgo Demoiselle Crane ‫الرهو‬
Aquila chrysaetos Golden Eagle ‫العقاب الذهبي‬
Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle ‫العقاب األسفع (أرقط) كبير‬
Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle ‫ملك العقبان‬
Aquila nipalensis Steppe Eagle )‫عقاب السهول (البادية‬
Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle ‫العقاب األسفغ الصغير‬
Ardea cinerea Grey Heron ‫البلشون الرمادي‬
Ardea purpurea Purple Heron ‫بلشون أرجواني‬
Ardeola ralloides Squacco Heron ‫واق أبيض صغير‬
Arenaria interpres Turnstone ‫قنبرة الماء‬
Asio flammeus Short-eared Owl ‫البومة الصمعاء‬
Asio otus Long-eared Owl ‫البومة القرناء‬
Athene noctua Little Owl ‫البومة الصغيرة‬
Aythya ferina Pochard ‫الحمراوي‬
Aythya fuligula Tufted Duck )‫أبو خصلة (الزرق األسود‬
Aythya nyroca Ferruginous Duck ‫حمراوي أبيض العين‬
Botaurus stellaris Bittern ‫الواق‬
APPENDIX 3
Bubo bubo (ascalaphus) Desert Eagle Owl )‫البومة النسارية (بوهة‬
Burhinus oedicnemus Stone Curlew ‫الكروان الجبلي‬
Butastur teesa White-eyed Buzzard ‫الحوام أبيض العين‬
Buteo buteo vulpinus Steppe Buzzard ‫الصقر الحوام‬
Buteo rufinus Long-legged Buzzard ‫الحوام طويل الساق‬
Butorides striatus Striated Heron ‫البلشون أخضر الظهر مخطط‬
Calandrella rufescens Lesser Short-toed Lark ‫القبرة قصيرة األصابع الصغيرة‬
Calidris alba Sanderling ‫المدروان‬
Calidris alpina Dunlin ‫الدريجة‬
Calidris canutus Red Knot )‫الدريجة الحمراء (النط‬
Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper ‫الطيطوي مقوس المنقار‬
Calidris minuta Little Stint ‫الدريجة الصغيرة‬
Calidris ruficollis Red-necked Stint ‫الدريجة حمراء الرقبة‬
Calidris subminuta Long toed Stint ‫الدريجة طويلة األصابع‬
Calidris temminckii Temminck's Stint ‫دريجة تمنيك‬
Calidris tenuirostris Great Knot ‫الدريجة الكبيرة‬
Caprimulgus aegyptius Egyptian Nightjar ‫السبد المصري‬
Caprimulgus europaeus European Nightjar ‫السبد األوروبي‬
Caprimulgus mahrattensis Syke's Nightjar ‫سبد السيخ‬
Carpospiza brachydactyla Pale Rock Sparrow ‫عصفور الصخر الباهت‬
Charadrius alexandrinus Kentish Plover ‫الزقزاق االسكندري‬
Charadrius asiaticus Caspian Plover ‫الزقزاق القزويني‬
Charadrius dubius Little Ringed Plover ‫الزقزاق المطوق الصغير‬
Charadrius hiaticula Ringed Plover ‫الزقزاق المطوق‬
Charadrius leschenaultii Greater Sand Plover ‫زقزاق الرمل الكبير‬
Charadrius mongolus Lesser Sand Plover ‫زقزاق الرمل الصغير‬
APPENDIX 3
Charadrius pecuarius Kittlitz's Plover ‫زقزاق كينليتز‬
Chlidonias leucopterus White-winged Black Tern ‫خطاف المستنقعات أبيض الجناح‬
Ciconia ciconia White Stork ‫اللقلق األبيض‬
Ciconia nigra Black Stork ‫اللقلق األسود‬
Circaetus gallicus Short toed Eagle )‫عقاب الحيات (صرارة‬
Circus aeruginosus Marsh Harrier ‫مرزة البطائح‬
Circus cyaneus Hen Harrier ‫مرزة الدجاج‬
Circus macrourus Pallid Harrier )‫المرزة الباهتة (البغثاء‬
Circus pygargus Montagu's Harrier ‫مرزة مونتاجو‬
Coracias garrulus European Roller ‫غراب الزيتون األوروبي‬
Coturnix coturnix Quail )‫الفر (السمن‬
Crex crex Corn Crake )‫مرعة الغيط (صفرد‬
Cygnus columbianus Bewick's Swan ‫تم بيويك‬
Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan ‫التم الصافر‬
Cygnus olor Mute Swan ‫التم الصامت‬
Dromas ardeola Crab Plover ‫الحنكور‬
Egretta alba Great Egret ‫بلشون أبيض كبير‬
Egretta gularis Western Reef Heron )‫بلشون الصخر (البحر‬
Elanus caeruleus Black-shouldered Kite ‫الحدأة سوداء األكتاف‬
Emberiza cineracea Cinereous Bunting ‫الدرسة الرمادية‬
Eudromias morinellus Dotterel ‫الزقزاق األغبر‬
Falco amurensis Amur Falcon ‫صقر عمورية‬
Falco biarmicus Lanner Falcon ‫الصقر الحر‬
Falco columbarius Merlin ‫اليؤيؤ‬
Falco concolor Sooty Falcon ‫صقر الغروب‬
Falco naumanni Lesser Kestrel ‫العويسق‬
APPENDIX 3
Falco pelegrinoides Barbary Falcon ‫الشاهين المغربي‬
Falco subbuteo Hobby )‫الشويهين (البيدق‬
Falco tinnunculus Kestrel ‫العوسق‬
Ficedula semitorquata Semi-collared Flycatcher ‫خطاف الذباب شبه المطوق‬
Francolinus francolinus Black Francolin ‫الحجل األسود الدراج‬
Francolinus pondicerianus Grey Francolin ‫الدراج الرمادي‬
Fulica atra Coot ‫الغرة‬
Fulica cristata Red-knobbed Coot ‫الغرة المتوجة‬
Gallinago gallinago Snipe ‫الشنقب‬
Gallinago media Great Snipe )‫الشنقب الكبير (جهلول‬
Gallinago stenura Pintail Snipe ‫الشنقب رفيع الذيل‬
Glareola lactea Little Pratincole ‫أبو اليسر الصغير‬
Glareola maldivarum Oriental Pratincole ‫أبو اليسر الشرقي‬
Glareola nordmanni Black-winged Pratincole ‫أبو اليسر أسود الجناح‬
Glareola pratincola Collared Pratincole ‫أبو اليسر المطوق‬
Grus grus Common Crane ‫الكركي الرمادي‬
Gyps fulvus Griffon Vulture ‫النسر األسمر‬
Haematopus ostralegus Oystercatcher ‫آكل المحار‬
Halcyon chloris White-collared Kingfisher )‫صياد السمك (الرفراف‬
Haliaeetus lecoryphus Pallas's Fish Eagle ‫عقاب السمك باالس‬
Hieraaetus fasciatus Bonelli's Eagle ‫عقاب بونيللي‬
Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle )‫عقاب المسيرة (النتعل‬
Himantopus himantopus Black winged Stilt ‫أبو المغازل‬
Hippolais caligata Booted Warbler ‫الهازجة المنتعلة‬
Hippolais languida Upcher's Warbler ‫هازجة الشجر‬
Hypocolius ampelinus Grey Hypocolius ‫الخناق الرمادي‬
APPENDIX 3
Irania gutturalis White-throated Robin ‫أبو الحناء أبيض الزور‬
Ixobrychus cinnamomeus Cinnamon Bittern -
Ixobrychus minutus Little Bittern ‫الواق الصغير‬
Larus genei Slender-billed Gull ‫النورس اسطواني المنقار‬
Larus hemprichii Sooty Gull ‫النورس الفاحم‬
Larus ichthyaetus Great Black-Headed Gull ‫نورس السمك‬
Larus leucophthalmus White-eyed Gull ‫النورس أبيض العين‬
Limicola falcinellus Broad-billed Sandpiper ‫الطيطوي عريض المنقار‬
Limosa lapponica Bar-tailed Godwit ‫بقويقة مخططة الذيل‬
Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit ‫بقويقة سوداء الذيل‬
Lymnocryptes minimus Jack Snipe ‫الشنقب (الجهلول) الصغير‬
Marmaronetta angustirostris Marbled Teal ‫شرشير مخطط‬
Mergus serrator Red-breasted Merganser ‫بلقشة حمراء الصدر‬
Milvus migrans Black Kite ‫الحدأة السوداء‬
Neophron percnopterus Egyptian Vulture ‫الرخمة المصرية‬
Netta rufina Red-crested Pochard ‫الونس‬
Numenius arquata Curlew ‫كروان الماء‬
Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel ‫كروان الماء الصغير‬
Nycticorax nycticorax Night Heron ‫بلشون الليل‬
Oceanites oceanicus Wilson's Storm Petrel ‫طائر النوء ويلسون‬
Oceanodroma lecorhoa Leach's Storm Petrel ‫طائر النوء ليتش‬
Oenanthe alboniger Hume's Wheatear ‫أبلق هيوم‬
Oenanthe finschii Finsch's Wheatear ‫أبلق فينتش‬
Oenanthe monacha Hooded Wheatear ‫األبلق أبو قلنسوة‬
Oenanthe picata Eastern Pied Wheatear ‫أبلق أحمر شرقي‬
Oenanthe xanthoprymna Red-tailed Wheatear ‫األبلق أحمر الذيل‬
APPENDIX 3
Otus brucei Striated Scops Owl ‫بومة األشجار المخططة‬
Otus scops Scops Owl ‫بومة األشجار األوروبية‬
Pandion haliaetus Osprey )‫عقاب نساري (عقاب السمك‬
Pelecanus crispus Dalmatian Pelican ‫بجع الدلماثيا األشعث‬
Pelecanus onocrotalus White Pelican ‫البجع األبيض‬
Pernis apivorus European Honey Buzzard ‫حوام النحل األوروبي‬
Pernis ptilorhyncus Crested Honey Buzzard )‫حوام النحل المتوج (األسيوي‬
Phaethon aethereus Red-billed Tropicbird ‫الطائراإلستوائي أحمر المنقار‬
Phalacrocorax carbo Great Cormorant ‫غراب البحر‬
Phalacrocorax nigrogularis Socotra Cormorant ‫غراب البحر السوقطري‬
Phalaropus fulicarius Grey Phalarope ‫الفلروب الرمادي‬
Phalaropus lobatus Red-necked Phalarope ‫الفلروب أحمر الرقبة‬
Philomachus pugnax Ruff ‫الحجوالة‬
Phoenicopterus minor Lesser Flamingo ‫النحام الصغير‬
Phoenicopterus ruber Greater Flamingo )‫النحام الكبير (البشروش‬
Phylloscopus neglectus Plain Leaf Warbler ‫نقشارة الورق‬
Phylloscopus schwarzi Radde's Warbler ‫نقشارة رادي‬
Platalea leucorodia Spoonbill ‫أبو ملعقة‬
Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis ‫أبو منجل الالمع‬
Pluvialis apricaria Golden Plover ‫القطقاط الذهبي‬
Pluvialis fulva Pacific Golden Plover ‫القطقاط الذهبي الباسيفيكي‬
Pluvialis squatarola Grey Plover ‫القطقاط الرمادي‬
Podiceps cristatus Great Crested Grebe ‫الغطاس المتوج الكبير‬
Podiceps nigricollis Black necked Grebe ‫الغطاس أسود الرقبة‬
Porphyrio porphyrio Purple Gallinule ‫فرفر (سمنون) أرجواني‬
Porzana parva Little Crake ‫المرعة الصغيرة‬
APPENDIX 3
Porzana porzana Spotted Crake )‫المرعة الرقطار (المنقطة‬
Porzana pusilla Baillon's Crake ‫مرعة بيولن‬
Puffinus griseus Sooty Shearwater ‫جلم الماء الفاحم‬
Puffinus persicus Persian Shearwater ‫جلم الماء الفارسي‬
Pycnonotus xanthopygos Yellow-vented Bulbul ‫بلبل أصفر العجز‬
Rallus aquaticus Water Rail ‫مرعة الماء‬
Recurvirostra avosetta Avocet ‫النكات‬
Scolopax rusticola Woodcock ‫ديك الغابة‬
Stercorarius longicaudus Long-tailed Skua ‫الكركر طويل الذنب‬
Stercorarius parasiticus Arctic Skua ‫الكركر القطبي‬
Stercorarius pomarinus Pomarine Skua ‫كركر بوماريني‬
Sterna albifrons Little Tern ‫خطاف البحر الصغير‬
Sterna anaethetus Bridled Tern ‫خطاف البحر األسمر‬
Sterna bengalensis Lesser Crested Tern ‫خطاف البحر المتوج الصغير‬
Sterna bergii Crested Tern ‫خطاف البحر المتوج‬
Sterna caspia Caspian Tern ‫خطاف البحر القزويني‬
Sterna repressa White-cheeked Tern ‫خطاف البحر أبيض الخد‬
Sterna sandvicensis Sandwich Tern ‫خطاف البحر ساندويش‬
Sterna saundersi Saunders' Little Tern ‫خطاف البحر سوندرز‬
Sula dactylatra Masked Booby ‫األطيش المقنع‬
Sula leucogaster Brown Booby ‫األطيش البني‬
Sula sula Red-footed Booby ‫األطيش أحمر القدم‬
Sylvia althaea Hume's Lesser Whitethroat ‫دخلة هيوم بيضاء الزور الصغرى‬
Sylvia minula Desert Lesser Whitethroat ‫دخلة الصحراء بيضاء الزور‬

‫الصغرى‬
Sylvia mystacea Menetries' Warbler ‫الهازجة الرأساء‬
Tadorna ferruginea Ruddy Shelduck ‫بط أبو فروة‬
APPENDIX 3
Tadorna tadorna Shelduck ‫الشهرمان‬
Torgos tracheliotus Lappet faced Vulture ‫النسر األوذن‬
Tringa cinerea Terek Sandpiper ‫طيطوي مغبر‬
Tringa erythropus Spotted Redshank ‫الطيطوي أحمر الساق المرقط‬
Tringa glareola Wood Sandpiper ‫طيطوي الغياض‬
Tringa hypoleucos Common Sandpiper ‫الطيطوي الشائع‬
Tringa nebularia Greenshank ‫طيطوي أخضر الساق‬
Tringa ochropus Green Sandpiper ‫الطيطوي األخضر‬
Tringa stagnatilis Marsh Sandpiper ‫طيطوي البطائح‬
Tringa totanus Redshank ‫الطيطوي أحمر الساق‬
Turdoides squamiceps Arabian Babbler ‫الثرثارة العربية‬
Tyto alba Barn Owl ‫بومة المخازن البيضاء‬
Vanellus gregarius Sociable Plover )‫الزقزاق االجتماعي (قطقاط‬
Vanellus leucurus White-tailed Plover ‫القطقاق أبيض الذيل‬
Vanellus vanellus Lapwing ‫الزقزاق الشامي‬
Mammalia Canis lupus Wolf ‫ذئب‬
Felis margarita Sand cat ‫القط الرملي‬
Felis silvestris gordoni Gordon’s Wild Cat ‫القط البري‬
Hemiechinus hypomelas Brandt’s Hedgehog ‫قنفذ براندتز‬
Hyaena hyaena Striped Hyena ‫الضبع المخطط‬
Ichneumia albicauda White-tailed Mongoose ‫النمس‬
Mellivora capensis Honey Badger ‫غريري العسل‬
Paraechinus aethiopicus Desert Hedgehog ‫قنفذ صحراوي‬
Procavia capensis Rock Hyrax ‫الوبر الصخري‬
Vulpes cana Blanford’s Fox ‫الثعلب األفغاني‬
Vulpes rueppelli Sand Fox ‫الثعلب الرملي‬
APPENDIX 3
Vulpes vulpes Red Fox ‫الثعلب األحمر‬
Reptilia Uromastyx aegyptia Spiny-tailed Lizard ‫الضب‬
Varanus griseus Desert Monitor ‫الورل‬
Category III Aves Acridotheres ginginianus Bank Mynah ‫مينة الضفاف‬
Acridotheres tristis Common Mynah ‫امينة الشائعة‬
Acrocephalus agricola Paddyfield Warbler ‫هازجة األرز‬
Acrocephalus arundinaceus Great Reed Warbler ‫هازجة القصب الكبرى‬
Acrocephalus dumetorum Blyth's Reed Warbler ‫هازجة القصب باليث‬
Acrocephalus melanopogon Moustached Warbler )‫هازجة سوداء اللحية (الشنب‬
Acrocephalus palustris Marsh Warbler ‫هازجة البطائح‬
Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Sedge Warbler ‫هازجة السعد‬
Acrocephalus scirpaceus Eastern Reed Warbler ‫هازجة القصب الشرقية‬

fuscus
Acrocephalus stentoreus Clamorous Reed Warbler ‫هازجة القصب الصياحة‬
Alaemon alaudipes Hoopoe Lark ‫القبرة الهدهدية‬
Alauda arvensis Skylark ‫قبرة السماء‬
Alauda gulgula Oriental Skylark ‫قبرة السماء الصغيرة الشرقية‬
Alcedo atthis Kingfisher ‫صياد السمك الشائع‬
Alopochen aegyptiacus Egyptian Goose ‫اوزة مصرية‬
Ammomanes cincturus Bar-Tailed Desert Lark ‫قبرة الصحراء موشحة الذنب‬
Ammomanes deserti Desert Lark ‫قبرة الصحراء‬
Amuarornis phoenicurus White-breasted Waterhen ‫دجاجة الماء بيضاء الصدر‬
Anous stolidus Common Noddy ‫األبله الشائع‬
Anous tenuirostris Lesser Noddy ‫األبله الصغير‬
Anthus campestris Tawny Pipit ‫جشنة الصحراء‬
Anthus cervinus Red-throated Pipit ‫جشنة حمراء الزور‬
Anthus godlewskii Blyth's Pipit ‫جشنة باليت‬
APPENDIX 3
Anthus hodgsoni Olive-backed Pipit ‫جشنة زيتونية الظهر‬
Anthus pratensis Meadow Pipit ‫جشنة الغيط‬
Anthus richardi Richard's Pipit ‫جشنة (أبو تمرة) اآلسيوي‬
Anthus rubescens Buff bellied Pipit ‫جشنة مصفرة البطن‬
Anthus similis Long-billed Pipit ‫الجشنة طويلة المنقار‬
Anthus spinoletta Water Pipit ‫جشنة الماء‬
Anthus trivialis Tree Pipit ‫جشنة الشجر‬
Apus affinis Little Swift ‫السمامة الصغيرة‬
Apus apus Common Swift ‫السمامة الشائعة‬
Apus melba Alpine Swift ‫سمامة الصرور‬
Apus pacificus Pacific Swift ‫سمامة البلسيفيك‬
Apus pallidus Pallid Swift ‫السمامة الباهتة‬
Ardeola grayii Indian Pond Heron ‫بلشون البرك الهندي‬
Bubulcus ibis Cattle Egret ‫بلشون البقر أبو قردان‬
Calandrella brachydactyla Short-toed lark ‫القبرة قصيرة األصابع‬
Calidris melanotos Pectoral Sandpiper ‫الدريجة سوداء الظهر‬
Carduelis cannabina Linnet ‫حسون التفاح‬
Carduelis carduelis Goldfinch ‫الحسون‬
Carduelis spinus Siskin ‫حسون الشوك‬
Carpodacus erythrinus Common Rosefinch ‫العصفور الوردي الشائع‬
Cercomela melanura Blackstart ‫القليعي أسود الذنب‬
Cercotrichas galactotes Rufous Bush Robin ‫أبو الحناء األحمر‬
Cercotrichas podobe Black Bush Robin ‫أبو الحناء األسود‬
Ceryle rudis Pied Kingfisher ‫صياد السمك األبقع‬
Cettia cetti Cetti's Warbler ‫هازجة سيتيز‬
Chlidonias hybridus Whiskered Tern ‫خطاف المستنقعات الملتحي‬
APPENDIX 3
Chlidonias niger Black Tern ‫خطاف المستنقعات األسود‬
Cinnyricinclus leucogaster Amethyst Starling ‫الزرزور أبيض البطن‬
Columba livia Rock Dove ‫الحمام الجبلي‬
Columba oenas Stock Dove ‫حمام بري‬
Columba palumbus Woodpigeon ‫حمام الغابات‬
Coracias benghalensis Indian Roller ‫غراب الزيتون الهندي‬
Corvus macrorhynchus Large-billed Crow ‫الغراب طويل المنقار (غراب‬

)‫الغاب‬
Corvus ruficollis Brown-necked Raven ‫الغراب بني الرقبة‬
Corvus splendens House Crow ‫الغراب الدوري‬
Creatophora cineracea Wattled Starling )‫الزرزور الرمادي (أبو لغد‬
Cuculus canorus Cuckoo )‫الوقواق الشائع (البقو‬
Delichon dasypus Asiatic House Martin ‫خطاف الضواحي اآلسيوي‬
Delichon urbica House Martin ‫خطاف الضواحي‬
Dendronanthus indicus Forest Wagtail ‫ذعرة الغابات‬
Dicrurus adsimilis Black Drongo ‫الدرونجو األسود‬
Egretta garzetta Little Egret ‫البلشون األبيض الصغير‬
Egretta intermedia Intermediate Egret ‫البلشون المتوسط‬
Emberiza aureola Yellow breasted Bunting ‫الدرسة صفراء البطن‬
Emberiza bruniceps Red headed Bunting ‫درسة حمراء الرأس‬
Emberiza citrinella Yellowhammer ‫الدرسة األوروبية الصفراء‬
Emberiza hortulana Ortolan Bunting ‫درسة الشعير‬
Emberiza leucocephalos Pine Bunting ‫درسة الصنوبر‬
Emberiza melanocephala Black headed Bunting ‫درسة سوداء الرأس‬
Emberiza pusilla Little Bunting ‫الدرسة الصغيرة‬
Emberiza rustica Rustic Bunting ‫درسة الريف‬
Emberiza schoeniclus Reed Bunting ‫درسة القصب‬
APPENDIX 3
Emberiza stewarti White-capped Bunting ‫درسة بيضاء القنة‬
Emberiza striolata House Bunting ‫الدرسة المنزلية‬
Eremalauda dunni Dunn's Lark ‫قبرة الرمال‬
Eremophila bilopha Temminck's Horned Lark ‫القبرة المقرنة‬
Eremopterix nigriceps Black-crowned Finch Lark ‫القبرة سوداء الرأس‬
Erithacus rubecula Robin ‫أبو الحناء‬
Eudynamys scolopacea Indian Koel ‫كول‬
Ficedula hypoleuca Pied Flycatcher ‫خطاف الذباب األبقع‬
Ficedula parva Red-breasted Flycatcher ‫خطاف الذباب أحمر الصدر‬
Fringilla coelebs Chaffinch ‫العصفور الظالم‬
Fringilla montifringilla Brambling ‫الشرشور الجبلي‬
Galerida cristata Crested Lark ‫القبرة المتوجة‬
Gallinula chloropus Moorhen ‫دجاجة الماء‬
Gelochelidon nilotica Gull-billed Tern )‫خطاف البحر النيلي (األويق‬
Halcyon leucocephala Grey-Headed Kingfisher ‫صياد السمك رمادي الرأس‬
Halcyon smyrnensis White-breasted Kingfisher ‫صياد السمك أبيض الصدر‬
Hippolais icterina Icterine Warbler ‫الهازجة الليمونية‬
Hippolais pallida Olivaceous Warbler ‫الهازجة الزيتونية‬
Hippolais rama Syke's Warbler ‫هازجة سايكيز‬
Hirundo daurica Red-rumped Swallow ‫السنونو أحمر العجز‬
Hirundo obsoleta Pale Crag Martin ‫خطاف الشواهق الباهت‬
Hirundo rupestris Crag Martin ‫خطاف الشواهق‬
Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow ‫السنونو‬
Hirundo smithii Wire-tailed Swallow ‫السنونو سلكي الذنب‬
Jynx torquilla Wryneck ‫اللواء‬
Lanius collurio Red-backed Shrike ‫صرد أحمر الظهر‬
APPENDIX 3
Lanius isabellinus Isabelline Shrike ‫صرد محمر الذنب‬
Lanius meridionalis Southern Grey Shrike ‫الصرد الرمادي الكبير‬
Lanius minor Lesser Grey Shrike ‫الصرد الرمادي الصغير‬
Lanius nubicus Masked Shrike ‫الصرد المقنع‬
Lanius pallidirostris Steppe Grey Shrike ‫الصرد الرمادي السهلي‬
Lanius schach Long-tailed Shrike ‫صرد طويل الذنب‬
Lanius senator Woodchat Shrike ‫الصرد أحمر القنة‬
lanius vittatus Bay-backed Shrike ‫صرد كستنائي الظهر‬
Larus brunnicephalus Brown-Headed Gull ‫النورس بني الرأس‬
Larus cachinnans Caspian Gull ‫النورس القزويني‬
Larus canus Common Gull ‫النورس الشائع‬
Larus fuscus Lesser Black-backed ‫النورس أسود الظهر الصغير‬

(Baltic) Gull
Larus heuglini Siberian Gull ‫النورس السيبيري‬
Larus melanocephalus Mediterranean Gull ‫نورس البحر األبيض المتوسط‬
Larus minutus Little Gull ‫النورس الصغير‬
Larus ridibundus Black-Headed Gull ‫النورس أسود الرأس‬
Locustella fluviatilis River Warbler ‫هازجة النهر‬
Locustella luscinioides Savi's Warbler ‫هازجة سافيز‬
Locustella naevia Grasshopper Warbler ‫هازجة الجندب‬
Lonchura malabarica Indian Silverbill ‫فضي المنقار الهندي‬
Luscinia luscinia Thrush Nightingale ‫العندليب‬
Luscinia megarhynchos Nightingale ‫الهزاز األوروبي‬
Luscinia svecica Bluethroat ‫الهزاز أزرق الزور‬
Melanocorypha bimaculata Bimaculated Lark ‫القبرة الشرقية المرقطة الصغيرة‬
Melanocorypha calandra Calandra Lark ‫القبرة الشرقية الكبيرة‬
Merops albicollis White-throated Bee-eater ‫الوروار أبيض الزور‬
APPENDIX 3
Merops apiaster European Bee eater ‫الوروار األوروبي‬
Merops orientalis Little Green Bee eater ‫الوروار الشرقي الصغير‬
Merops persicus Blue cheeked Bee eater ‫الوروار العراقي أزرق الخد‬
Miliaria calandra Corn Bunting ‫درسة القمح الشائعة‬
Monticola saxatilis Rock Thrush ‫سمنة الصخور‬
Monticola solitarius Blue Rock Thrush ‫سمنة الصخور الزرقاء‬
Motacilla (a) personata Masked Wagtail ‫الذعرة المقنعة‬
Motacilla (f.) feldegg Black-headed Wagtail ‫ذعرة سوداء الرأس‬
Motacilla alba White Wagtail ‫الذعرة البيضاء‬
Motacilla cinerea Grey Wagtail ‫الذعرة الرمادية‬
Motacilla citreola Citrine Wagtail ‫ذعرة صفراء الرأس‬
Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail ‫الذعرة الصفراء‬
Muscicapa cyanomelana Blue & White Flycatcher ‫خطاف الذباب المزرق‬
Muscicapa striata Spotted Flycatcher ‫خطاف الذباب المرقط‬
Nectarinia asiatica Purple Sunbird ‫عصفور الشمس االرجواني‬
Nettapus coromandelianus Cotton Teal ‫حذف القطن‬
Oena capensis Namaqua Dove ‫يمام طويل الذنب‬
Oenanthe deserti Desert Wheatear )‫أبلق البادية (الصحراء‬
Oenanthe hispanica Black-eared Wheatear ‫األبلق أسود األذن‬
Oenanthe isabellina Isabelline Wheatear ‫األبلق األشهب‬
Oenanthe leucopyga White-crowned Black ‫األبلق األسود أبيض القنة‬

Wheatear
Oenanthe lugens Mourning Wheatear ‫األبلق الحزين‬
Oenanthe oenanthe Northern Wheatear ‫األبلق األوروبي‬
Oenanthe pleschanka Pied Wheatear ‫األبلق األبقع‬
Oriolus oriolus Golden Oriole )‫عصفور التوت (الصفير الذهبي‬
Passer domesticus House Sparrow ‫العصفور الدوري‬
APPENDIX 3
Passer hispaniolensis Spanish Sparrow ‫العصفور االسباني‬
Passer montanus Tree Sparrow ‫عصفور الشجر‬
Petrochelidon fluvicola Indian Cliff swallow ‫سنونو الصخور الهندي‬
Petronia xanthocollis Yellow-throated Sparrow ‫العصفور أسود الرقبة‬
Phoenicurus erythronotus Eversmann's Redstart ‫حميراء ايفرسمان‬
Phoenicurus ochruros Black Redstart ‫الحميراء السوداء‬
Phoenicurus phoenicurus Redstart ‫الحميراء‬
Phoenicurus phoenicurus Ehrenberg's Redstart ‫حميراء ارمبيرج‬

samamisicus
Phylloscopus bonelli Bonelli's Warbler ‫نقشارة بونيللي‬
Phylloscopus collybita Chiffchaff ‫نقشارة‬
Phylloscopus fuscatus Dusky Warbler ‫النقشارة القاتمة‬
Phylloscopus humei Hume's Warbler ‫نقشارة هيومز‬
Phylloscopus inornatus Yellow-browed Warbler ‫النقشارة صفراء الحاجب‬
Phylloscopus nitidus Green Warbler ‫النقشارة الخضراء‬
Phylloscopus sibilatrix Wood Warbler ‫نقشارة الغاب‬
Phylloscopus trochilus Willow Warbler ‫نقشارة الصفصاف‬
Prinia gracilis Graceful Warbler ‫الهازجة الرشيقة‬
Psittacula eupatria Alexandrine Parakeet ‫الببغاء النبيلة‬
Psittacula krameri Ring-necked Parakeet ‫الببغاء الهندية الطوق‬
Pterocles lichtensteinii Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse ‫القطا المخطط‬
Pterocles orientalis Black-bellied Sandgrouse ‫القطا أسود البطن‬
Pterocles senegallus Spotted Sandgrouse ‫القطا المرقط‬
Ptyonoprogne fuligula African Rock Martin ‫خطاف الصخور االفريقي‬
Pycnonotus cafer Red-vented Bulbul ‫بلبل أحمر اتلعجز‬
Pycnonotus jocosus Red-whiskered Bulbul ‫بلبل أحمر الوجنة‬
Pycnonotus leucogenys White-cheeked Bulbul ‫بلبل أبيض الخد‬
APPENDIX 3
Rhodopechys githaginea Trumpeter Finch ‫الزمير الوردي‬
Riparia diluta Pale Martin ‫الخطاف الباهت‬
Riparia paludicola Brown-throated Martin ‫خطاف الشواطىء بني الرقبة‬
Riparia riparia Sand Martin ‫خطاف الشواطىء‬
Rissa tridactyla Black-legged Kittiwake -

(Kittiwake)
Saxicola caprata Pied Stonechat ‫القليعي األبقع‬
Saxicola rubetra Whinchat ‫القليعي‬
Saxicola torquata Stonechat )‫القليعي المطوق (محاكي الصخور‬
Saxicola torquata maura Siberian Stonechat ‫القليعي المطوق السيبيري‬
Scotocerca inquieta Scrub Warbler )‫نمنمة الشجر(هازجة الشجيرات‬
Sterna dougallii Roseate tern ‫خطاف البحر الوردي‬
Sterna fuscata Sooty Tern ‫خطاف البحر الفاحم‬
Sterna hirundo Common Tern ‫خطاف البحر الشائع‬
Sterna paradisea Arctic Tern ‫خطاف البحر القطبي‬
Streptopelia decaocto Collared Dove ‫الحمام المطوق‬
Streptopelia orientalis Oriental Turtle Dove ‫القمري الشرقي‬
Streptopelia senegalensis Laughing Dove )‫حمام النخيل (الضاحك‬
Streptopelia turtur Turtle Dove ‫القمري‬
Sturnus contra Pied Mynah ‫مينة مبفعة‬
Sturnus pagodarum Brahminy Mynah ‫مينة براهميني‬
Sturnus roseus Rose-coloured Starling ‫الزرزور الوردي‬
Sturnus vulgaris Starling ‫الزرزور‬
Sylvia atricapilla Blackcap )‫أبو قلنسوة (عصفور التين‬
Sylvia borin Garden Warbler ‫هازجة البساتين‬
Sylvia communis Whitethroat ‫الدخلة بيضاء الزور‬
Sylvia curruca Lesser Whitethroat ‫الخلة بيضاء الزور الصغرى‬
APPENDIX 3
Sylvia hortensis Orphean Warbler ‫هازجة الحدائق‬
Sylvia nana Desert Warbler ‫هازجة الصحراء‬
Sylvia nisoria Barred Warbler ‫الهازجة الموشحة‬
Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe ‫غطاس صغير‬
Turdus iliacus Redwing ‫السمنة حمراء الجناحين‬
Turdus merula Blackbird ‫الشحرور‬
Turdus naumanni Dusky Thrush ‫السمنة القاتمة‬
Turdus obscurus Eye-browed Thrush ‫السمنة الحاجبية‬
Turdus philomelos Song Thrush ‫السمنة المغردة‬
Turdus pilaris Fieldfare ‫سمنة الحقول‬
Turdus ruficollis Black-throated Thrush ‫السمنة سوداء الرقبة‬
Turdus torquatus Ring Ouzel ‫الدج المطوق‬
Turdus viscivorus Mistle Thrush ‫سمنة الدبق‬
Upupa epops Hoopoe ‫الهدهد‬
Vanellus indicus Red-wattled Lapwing ‫الزقزاق المحمر‬
Xema sabini Sabine's Gull ‫نورس سابيني‬
Mammalia Acomys cahirinus Egyptian Spiny Mouse ‫الفأر المصري الشوكي‬
Jaculus jaculus Lesser Jerboa ‫الجربوع‬
Meriones arimalius Arabian Jird ‫الجرذ العربي‬
Rhinopoma muscatellum Muscat Mouse-tailed Bat ‫خفاش مسقط فأري الذنب‬
Rousettus aegyptiacus Egyptian Fruit Bat ‫خفاش الفاكهة‬
Suncus etruscus Savi’s Pigmy Shrew ‫زبابة سافيز‬
Triaenops Persicus Persian Leaf-nosed Bat ‫خفاش ورقي األنف الفارسي‬
Reptilia Pristutrus rupestris Common Semaphore ‫أبو بريص‬

Gecko
Stenodactylus slevini Slevin's Big-headed Gecko ‫أبو بريص‬
Summary of Requirements for Ecological Baseline Surveys
APPENDIX 4
–SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS FOR ECOLOGICAL BASELINE SURVEYS
Survey Requirements Brownfield Greenfield

Any development/ size/ location Seismic Surveys Drilling Offshore Developments Onshore
Developments
Offshore Onshore Offshore Onshore Areas/Plots Linear Areas/Plots Linea
r
0-5km2 >5km2 0-5km2 >5km2 0-5km2 >5km2 Any 0- >5km Any
length 5km 2 lengt
2 h
I. Rapid Assessment
A. Desk-top review R
B. Look-see method (e.g. walkover) survey for R
habitats, plants and animals
II. Detailed Assessment
A. Seasonality
1. Single Season R
2. Seasonal P P P P P P P P P P P P
B. Habitat survey
1. Secondary data/map review (e.g. EAD habitat R A R A R A R A R R A R R
map or layers)
2. Remote sensing/GIS-based analysis (e.g. P P P P P P P
Normalised Difference Vegetation Index, NDVI)
3. Field-based analysis (Ground-truthing) P P P P P P P
C. Species Surveys
1. Plant Survey
a. Offshore
- Transect Line Plot A R A A A
- Transect - Qudrat Sampling A R A A A
- Quadrat Sampling R R R R R P
- Line Intercept Transect A R A A A
- Video Transect A P A A A R
b. Onshore
- Point counts A A A A A A
- Look-see method / Total counts R A R A A A
- Timed searches A A A A A
- Line and Strip Transects A A A A R
- Line Intercept and Point Intercept Transects A A A A A
- Quadrats A R P R R A
- Tree Survey P P P P P P
2. Mammal Survey
a. Offshore (marine mammals)
- Interview survey (ethno-biological survey) R R R R R R
- Transect boat survey R R R R R R
- Shoreline surveys (at vantage points) P P P P P P
b. Onshore
APPENDIX 4

Developments
r
length 5km 2 lengt
2 h
- Timed searches (diurnal and nocturnal or R R R R R R
spotlighting)
- Transect count R R R R R
- Point count survey P P A R R R
- Trapping
i. Small non-volant mammals
= Live traps, e.g. Sherman Traps A A P P R R
= Pit traps P P A A A
ii. Moderate to large-bodied mammals
= Active (baited) or passive remote infra- A A P P R R
red camera traps
iii. Volant mammals
= Visual inspection of roosting areas (e.g. R R P A A
trees)
= Mist-netting P P A A A
= Passive acoustic (echolocation) A A P P R R
monitoring (e.g. Anabat)
3. Birds
a. Offshore (e.g. seabirds)
- Transect boat survey R R R R R
- Shoreline surveys (at vantage points, i.e. P P P P P
point counts)
b. Onshore
- Total counts
- Line transects
- Point counts
- Mist netting
4. Reptiles and amphibians
a. Offshore (e.g. turtles) R R R R R
- Transect boat survey P P P P P
- Shoreline/coastal surveys (turtle nesting P P P P P
beach surveys)
- Track counts
b. Onshore
- Timed searches (diurnal and nocturnal or R R R R R R
spotlighting)
- Pit fall trapping P P P P P P
5. Invertebrates
a. Offshore (e.g. Benthic community)
APPENDIX 4

Developments
r
length 5km 2 lengt
2 h
- Quadrat sampling R R R R
- Transect survey R R R R
- Grab sampling (including infauna) R R R R
- Plankton sampling R R R R
b. Onshore (Opportunistic) A A A A A A
D. Physico-chemical Testing (Offshore only) R R R R R
LEGEND:
R – methods typically applied and should be considered as mandatory for the ecological baselining requirement for the type of
development.
A – methods that are generally applicable, which may be considered by the selected ecological professional to include as supplementary approach to characterise
ecological feature.
P – methods that are sometimes applicable, depending on the available habitat to be characterised as part of the ecological
baselining works.

HSE-EN-ST06 - Biodiversity Assessment

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

You might also like

HSE-EN-ST06 - Biodiversity Assessment

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

HSE-EN-ST06 - Biodiversity Assessment

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

ADNOC Classification: Internal

THE CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT ARE [PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL].

HEALTH SAFETY ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

STANDARD NO.: HSE-EN-ST06

It is understood that whilst it is essentially a straightforward concept, biodiversity can be difficult to

This document provides the requirements to develop/conduct a biodiversity/ecological baselining study

4. LAWS AND REGULATIONS

Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Marine Turtles and

5. DEFINITIONS & ABBREVIATIONS

TERMS DEFINITIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS

ADNOC Abu Dhabi National Oil Company

TERMS DEFINITIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS

CEPA Center for Excellence in Communication, Education and Public

Dominant, Used for semi-quantitative sampling, to provide a quick estimate of the

TERMS DEFINITIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS

EAD Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi

EcIA Ecological Impact Assessment

Ecosystem Function An intrinsic ecosystem characteristic whereby an ecosystem maintains

EHSMS Environment, Health and Safety Management System

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment; systematic process of evaluating the

EMP Environmental Management Plan

Environment Surroundings in which an organisation operates including air, water,

FOIZ Fujairah Oil Industry Zone

GC ADNOC Group Company

TERMS DEFINITIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS

GCC Gulf Cooperation Council

GEF Global Environment Facility

GPS Global Positioning System

Guidance/Guidelines Directions/methodology provided to be taken as an advice on how to

HSEIA Health, Safety and Environmental Impact Assessment; A systematic

HSEMS Health, Safety & Environmental Management System

IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature

TERMS DEFINITIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS

NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

NDVI Normalised Difference Vegetation Index

NOC No Objection Certificate

PERSGA Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the

Protected Area A clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and

Risk Risk is the product of the measure of the likelihood of occurrence of an

Risk = Severity (Consequence) x Likelihood (Frequency)

Refer to ADNOC Corporate Risk Matrix for more information

TERMS DEFINITIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS

SCAD Statistics Centre − Abu Dhabi

SCUBA Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus

Species Richness Number of different species in a location/sample8.

ADNOC Group Companies shall demonstrate that they meet the

UKOOG United Kingdom Onshore Oil and Gas

UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

6. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ADNOC Directorates: ADNOC Directorates shall be responsible to assign their respective

6.1. GROUP COMPANY

6.2. THIRD PARTY INDEPENDENT CONSULTANTS

7.1. BIODIVERSITY AND ITS IMPORTANCE

7.1.1. WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY?

7.1.2. BIODIVERSITY OF THE UAE AND THE ABU DHABI EMIRATE

7.1.3. IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY

7.1.4. ASSESSEMENT APPROACH