Alluvial plains & sabkha

Plains are a common feature in many parts of the United Arab Emirates. In the vicinity of the Hajar Mountains, they occur as wide, flat expanses that are covered in coarse rocks, pebbles and gravels. In other parts of the country, plains are intimately associated with dune systems, where they form a loosely connected network of interdunes of varying sizes.

Sabkha, an Arabic term referring to flat, salt-encrusted desert that is usually devoid of any significant plant cover, frequently develops on alluvial plains, where the groundwater occurs close to the surface. Coastal sabkha also occurs in the UAE and dominates the coastline from the area of Abu Dhabi Island westward.

A number of infamous UAE residents are specially adapted to live in these harsh environments…