Abu Dhabi-based environmental technology startup Nabat has deployed 10 million mangrove seeds in partnership with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), using AI and autonomous drones to scale restoration efforts.
The company said its technology can reduce restoration costs by three to five times compared with conventional methods. A single team can survey around 800 hectares a day using high-resolution drone imagery, while autonomous drones can distribute seeds across 50 to 60 hectares daily.
Nabat began working with EAD three years ago, combining drone imagery, satellite data and AI models to assess environmental conditions and identify suitable planting locations. Its systems can also monitor seedling survival, vegetation cover, density and biomass across restoration sites.
The company said mangrove establishment rates of around 40% to 50% have been observed in the UAE when sites are selected based on factors including soil conditions, elevation and tidal exposure. However, Nabat stressed that the 10 million seeds deployed in 2026 should not be counted as 10 million established trees.
Nabat has also developed an AI-powered site suitability model covering the GCC coastline. The tool can identify areas where planting is likely to succeed, as well as locations where natural regeneration is already taking place.
The company said it considers the computing, imagery and fieldwork required by its technology, although it has not completed a quantified assessment of its overall environmental impact.
Source: Arabian Business
