Genomics study of Ghaf tree completed

The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) have completed the first-ever population genomics study of the Ghaf tree (Prosopis cineraria) in the country, revealing significant genetic insights critical for conserving this iconic desert species and supporting the development of climate-resilient ecosystems across the UAE.

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As the national tree of the UAE, the Ghaf is revered for its ecological, cultural and symbolic value.

It stabilises dunes, enriches soils and supports biodiversity in arid environments.

Yet despite its importance, little was previously known about the species' genetic variation or evolutionary history - until now.

The study, conducted by specialists at the Plant Genetic Resources Centre of the EAD and the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture, aimed to evaluate the whole-genome re-sequencing of the Ghaf population collected from across the UAE.