[2] Although deserts are considered one of the least-invaded ecosystems in the world,[2] the United Arab Emirates has a significant amount of invasive species in the country.
[7] The plant was originally introduced in Abu Dhabi in the 1970s to combat desertification, and seeds were eventually spread through livestock and reached other Emirates.
[8] The United Arab Emirates is noted for its harsh, arid climate, which makes the establishment and survival of invasive species hard.
A 2015 study by the Journal of Threatened Taxa found that of a total of 146 invasive species, the highest percentage in the major taxonomic groups were birds (49%), followed by invertebrates (34%), plants, reptiles and amphibians (5% each), mammals (4%), and freshwater fish (3%).
For instance, fire ant Solenopsis geminata, endemic to Central America, has an adverse impact on local ecology through predation and competition.
In one instance, a Stigmochelys pardalis was found on the Bul Sayeef Island in Abu Dhabi during a routine biodiversity check, with researchers noting it was most likely an abandoned pet.