The Emirates Natural History Group in Al Ain Newsletter

‫ العين‬- ‫جمعية االمارات للتاريخ الطبيعي‬
September 2014 | www.enhg.org |
The Emirates
Natural
History Group
in Al Ain
Newsletter
Tears of Joy
Inside This Issue:
TEARS OF JOY
1
EARLY GULF AVIATION
1
PAST/UPCOMING EVENTS
1
TEARS OF JOY (Cont.)
2
THE LIBRARY
2
CARBON CONUNDRUM (Cont.) 3
CARBON CONUNDRUM (Conc.) 4
WHO’S WHO
4
WHAT WE DO
5
EARLY GULF AVIATION (Cont.) 6
MEETING LOCATION
9
LOCATION DETAILS
9
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
9
Past/Upcoming Events:
Committee meeting
9 September
Islamic Institute
6:30 pm
Who we are and what we do
9 September
Islamic Institute
8:00 pm
UAE Dolphin Project (Dr. Ada Notoli)
23 September
Islamic Institute
8:00 pm
Committee Meeting
Early Gulf Aviation (by Laurence Garey)
Continued on Page 2
14 October
Islamic Institute
6:30 pm
Lecture (Topic to be announced)
14 October
Islamic Institute
8:00 pm
Laurence has kindly provided us with some historical notes and images Lecture (Topic to be announced)
28 October
Islamic Institute
8:00 pm
of the early days of aviation in the Gulf, in particular a part of the
history of Sharjah’s original airport.
Continued on Page 6
Under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahayan
Emirates Natural History Group in Al Ain
2
September 2014 Newsletter
From Page 1: Tears of Joy
The Committee convened on Tuesday 9 September before the first General Meeting so as to plan ahead and
touch sides. The member PowerPoint presentation for the day was discussed, with the theme being “The
ENHG – Who we are and what we do”. The poster depicted on the front page of this newsletter featured, as
did the standard agenda items (such as envisaged field trips, workshops, the Library and the Treasurer’s
Report).
This newsletter captures some of the presentation highlights and some presentation images have been
placed in this newsletter for your reference.
The Committee can vouch for the fact that our Chairperson is a tough lady, you have to work hard at it to
make her cry. Yet there in front of all and sundry she wept tears of joy! Then she pretended that it was due
to having cut up some chilies previously and that rubbing her eyes had exacerbated her tear duct tragedy.
The Committee members however were having none of that. The cause of the spillage was investigated and
the Editor can report with certainty as follows.
Brigitte visited the first ENHG Chairperson (John Stewart-Smith) in Wales during the holiday period, he is
presently 82 years old and was kind enough to fetch her in his car.
In addition to that John entrusted Brigitte with his original diary consisting of handwritten notes and splendid
hand drawn images of Al Ain flora and fauna. This act of kindness affected our intrepid Chairperson greatly
and moved her deeply. We intend to utilize the diary’s contents and to place selected text and scanned
images into our newsletter in future (with John’s permission of course).
He emailed her after her trip and here are some snippets: “Col Sir Hugh Boustead once lived near Al Ain, he
and Sheikh Zayed were close friends and Hugh looked after Zayed's horses. Hugh also came to my house in
Abu Dhabi to consume vast quantities of tea as he missed his ‘English’ tea. Hugh spent many years in Africa
and in Arabia and held an odd mixture of posts, including commanding the Sudan Camel Corps during the
Second World War! I think he and Wilfred Thesiger may have served together in the SAS when that unit was
formed in North Africa.”
“I read the details of the recent ENHG trips to various interesting places and feel great envy. I still miss the
Emirates after all these years - even if my son says I would not recognize the country now.”
John refers to the ENHG as “His child”; so what does the ENHG do?
Continued on page five
The Library
Our library is housed in our ENHG room in the Islamic Institute. Members and non-members can
access the catalog on-line under www.librarything.com/catalog/enhg .
Verena is our Librarian, her biography is provided in this month’s newsletter, in the Section
entitled “Who’s who” on page four.
If you love books, then you should make the effort to speak with Verena!
¤
Under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahayan
Emirates Natural History Group in Al Ain
3
September 2014 Newsletter
Carbon Conundrum Continued (by Digby Scorgie)
The Anthropocene Mass Extinction (The grand finale to the Carbon Conundrum article series)
If global warming is not halted, then at some point between two and three degrees of warming two
irreversible tipping points will be passed. One is the melting of the northern hemisphere permafrost, with
the resultant release of vast quantities of methane. The second is the warming of the ocean to such an
extent that, instead of absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide, it begins emitting the gas hitherto dissolved
in it. Another tipping point is the loss of the north polar ice cap, with the result that the Arctic absorbs
rather than reflects incident solar energy, but this particular tipping point is actually reversible.
Once the irreversible tipping points are passed, it will be impossible for humanity to avert catastrophe. As
mentioned in the January issue, by the end of this century the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide
will reach 800 ppm. In past geological ages, when carbon dioxide levels stabilized at 800 ppm, the
corresponding amount of warming was approximately six degrees. Taking into account the delays in the
system, one can expect such a temperature increase by about 2120. The climatic conditions for this amount
of warming should therefore start taking effect around the middle of the next century. Using the Earth's
palaeoclimate as a guide, these conditions are as outlined below. Can human beings find a way to avoid
the following Scenario before it is too late?
The six-degree world
A broad belt around the equator is hot and humid but devoid of rain forests. This equatorial belt is subject
to heavy rains and ferocious storms. Much broader arid belts north and south of the equatorial belt extend
as far as the lower mid-latitudes. These arid belts are characterized by unimaginably hot deserts. The
higher mid-latitudes are warm and humid but experience frequent droughts and intense fires. The high
latitudes in the Polar Regions have a humid temperate climate supporting forests.
The sea level is so high that there is 80% less land. Ocean temperatures are 40 degrees Celsius in the
tropics and 20 degrees at the poles. The oceans spawn hurricanes of the utmost ferocity. Intense
rainstorms wash nutrients off the land, which poisons the sea. Ocean circulation ceases and the oceans
become anoxic, causing mass extinctions of marine life. Dead vegetation and animals in the stagnant
oceans release vast quantities of hydrogen sulphide into the atmosphere. The gas attacks the ozone layer,
allowing more of the Sun's dangerous ultraviolet radiation to reach the surface. As a result surviving
species are affected by harmful DNA mutations.
In the ocean depths methane hydrates melt. Rising to the surface with explosive force, the methane ignites
in the atmosphere with disastrous effects. Under the sea the rising methane triggers catastrophic undersea
landslides, resulting in massive tsunamis. Terrestrial life is almost entirely destroyed. About 95% of
species, both on land and in the sea, are exterminated. Few humans survive. This scenario is called the
Anthropocene Mass Extinction.
Nostradamus foretells
Concluded on the next page.
Under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahayan
Emirates Natural History Group in Al Ain
4
Carbon Conundrum Concludes
Nostradamus foretells
Almost five centuries ago Nostradamus
perhaps foresaw the future state of the Earth's
climate. Some of his enigmatic oracles purport
to refer to events beyond the middle of the
twenty-first century.
September 2014 Newsletter
Who’s Who
Here is another article in the series that features some
of our ENHG members; Verena Davies is the person
who looks after the Al Ain ENHG book collection.
Unsuspected by their interpreters, these read
suspiciously like commentary on the climatic
conditions described above. The following
quotations are examples:
"Before the universal conflagration shall
happen so many great inundations that there
shall scarcely be any land left that shall not be
covered with water."
She is a librarian by profession and works in a private
school in Al Ain.
"The world shall be so diminished, and the
people so few, that there will not be enough
found to till the ground."
She continually adds new books to the ENHG library
regarding everything and anything of relevance to our
ENHG mission.
"Also, before and after these inundations in
many countries there shall be such scarcity of
rain, and such a deal of fire, and burning stones
falling from the skies, that nothing
unconsumed shall be left, and this shall happen
a little before the great conflagration."
She is always happy to lend the available books to
members. (Refer to the Library Section in this
newsletter for additional information.)
“There will then be ‘a thousand years of peace’
after which the wars will begin again."
She originates from German, but lived in Switzerland
and New Zealand for many years, always focusing on
books, she is very passionate about literature and
reading.
So is this scenario what we can expect? Can
mankind work together to find an antidote?
She has been in the UAE for three years and has
explored many regions, she is interested in the flora
and fauna, the people and the country’s history.
Return to this newsletter in 2120 to confirm or
disprove the above scenarios……. ¤
She is a keen hiker, she likes to cross the Al Ain border
to visit Oman and roam around in the mountains.
www.enhg.org
Another pursuit is to go on outings with ENHG groups
so as to learn more about the stunning natural history
that surrounds us in the area.
If you would like to speak with Verena, her contact
details are on the last page of this newsletter. ¤
Under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahayan
5
Emirates Natural History Group in Al Ain
September 2014 Newsletter
What we do (Continued from page 2)
The ENHG was founded in 1977 in Abu Dhabi
following a talk on dugongs. It is the oldest and
largest of the voluntary societies in the United
Arab Emirates dealing with natural history.
“Bish” (photo on the right) was a key organizer
(JNB Brown).
Rob Western edited 41 of the 42 Bulletins and his
interest in plants led to the first UAE book on
plants.
Enthusiastic amateurs are the run of the day and
some developed an interest in natural history
after they arrived in the Emirates.
The ENHG motto is “Observe, record and report”
and it was recognized that amateurs and experts
could (and do) work together.
The ENHG has two principal activities: field trips
and general meetings. Speakers range from
specialists on one or more aspects of natural
history to individuals sharing “holiday snaps”.
Some members recognize that they have the
opportunity to make a very real contribution to
There is a joint Al Ain and Abu Dhabi ENHG
the study of the natural history of the UAE and
Collection, a photograph of a part of that is
northern Oman.
provided below.
Contributions have been made to several
publications and organizations over the years
such as Breeding Atlas of Birds, Bida bint Saud
survey and Natural history of Jebel Hafit.
The Al Ain chapter began in 1980 and is
associated with the Al Ain Zoo. The Museum
Curator Dr. Walid al Tekriti is a participant and
supporter
Yahoo Groups hosts the email application and
there are more than 600 worldwide subscribers.
Email is moderated and gets archived.
We look forward to meeting you! ¤
Under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahayan
6
Emirates Natural History Group in Al Ain
September 2014 Newsletter
Early Gulf Aviation (A history of Sharjah’s original airport - continued from page 1)
Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer and Armstrong Whitworth Argosy (in the background) at
Sharjah, early 1960s (John James)
Laurence Garey thanks the Sharjah Museums Department for sponsoring a visit to the National Archives and British Airways Archives in
London.
The development of aviation in the Arabian Gulf region is closely linked to pioneering flights by the
Royal Air Force (RAF) after the First World War and the development of air routes from England to
Australia.
The first flights along the Persian coast
Ross Smith was a pilot in the Australian Flying Corps in Egypt and Palestine in the First World War.
He flew a Handley Page O/400 bomber in November 1918 on the first flight from Cairo to India along
the Persian coast, a shorter route than along the Arabian coast.
The RAF was flying from Cairo to Karachi via Iraq and Persia in late 1918. The first flight from England
to Australia resulted from an offer of £10,000 from the Australian Prime Minister for the journey to
be made in less than 30 days.
Ross acquired a Vickers Vimy bomber, the reserve aircraft for the Atlantic flight made by John Alcock
and Arthur Brown in 1919. His brother Keith was the co-pilot and navigator when they set out for
the Australia flight in November 1919.
The Gulf section of their flight was from Basra in Iraq, to Bandar Abbas in Persia, and then to Karachi.
A replica of the Vimy was flown from England to Australia in 1994, but via Bahrain and Muscat.
(McMillan, Peter (1995) National Geographic 187/5: 2-43.)
Imperial Airways
Imperial Airways was formed in 1924. They planned to fly from England to India, and the RAF
explored the route for them. Imperial Airways were to use the former RAF landing grounds and
refueling posts along the Persian coast. The service was scheduled to start on 1 January 1927. The
Secretary of State for Air, Sir Samuel Hoare and Lady Hoare flew from London to Delhi on 27
December 1926 in a De Havilland DH66 G-EBMX, arriving on 8 January 1927.
See next page.
Under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahayan
7
Emirates Natural History Group in Al Ain
September 2014 Newsletter
Early Gulf Aviation (A history of Sharjah’s original airport - continued from page 6)
The Arabian coast route
Political delays plagued the Persian negotiations until the British government finally asked the RAF to
survey the Arabian coast route. So the RAF 203 Squadron took three Supermarine Southampton
flying boats to Shatt al Arab near Basra to open the Arabian coast route in March 1929; for land or
seaplanes heading for Gwadar (which belonged to Muscat). They were to survey landing fields and
sheltered water for flying boats, install petrol tanks, establish rest houses and set up radio stations.
Supermarine Southamptons (Wikipedia)
The RAF reached Bahrain in April 1929 and flew Sheikh Hamad to Doha. On their return to Bahrain in
May 1929 they marked out a landing ground near the palace in Manama and found a good seaplane
landing area. They then flew on to Muscat, where the only suitable landing ground was at Bait al
Falaj.
From there they continued to Ras al Hadd, where the Aden RAF had already established a landing
ground. One Southampton visited Ras al Khaimah in August 1929 and the sheltered coastal waters
off the present Abu Dhabi city, where they were welcomed by Sheikh Shakboot, whose boat
accidentally punctured the aircraft.
RAF teams had explored the east coast of Oman in the mid-1920s in Royal Navy ships and four men
had set out from Sohar, via Wadi Jizi, trying to reach Abu Dhabi using an overland route. However,
they were refused entry to Buraimi and had to camp at Mahdah, from where they went to Sharjah.
RAF 203 Squadron surveyed this route from the air in 1930, flying from Abu Dhabi to Sohar where
they had set up a landing strip. The Squadron replaced their Southamptons with Short Rangoon
flying boats in 1931 and the RAF used all these Arabian coast sites in the 1930s, but needed to find a
suitable site somewhere between Bahrain and Muscat.
The RAF decided that Ras al Khaimah would be the best place for a landing ground on the Trucial
Coast, and therefore visited it with the British Political Resident. However the Sheikh did not agree
to their plan, so they had to investigate Dubai Creek, but that plan also failed. Next they tried Abu
Dhabi, which was suitable, but judged too far from Gwadar. Nevertheless it was a good staging and
fuelling post, so an airstrip having a fuel tank was established on Bani Yas Island. See next page.
Under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahayan
8
Emirates Natural History Group in Al Ain
September 2014 Newsletter
Early Gulf Aviation (A history of Sharjah’s original airport - continued from page 7)
Back to Persia
Although initial negotiations with Persia about flying along their coast failed, Imperial Airways
managed to obtain the necessary agreements for routing via Bushire, Bandar Abbas, Jask, and
Gwadar to Karachi in the spring of 1929. Imperial introduced the De Havilland Hercules on this route.
The Persian contract was not renewed after 1932, and interest again turned to the Arabian
opportunity. To the surprise of many, Air France and the Dutch KLM were allowed to use the former
Persian coast route.
Back to Arabia
So in 1932 Imperial Airways were obliged to revert to adopting the Arabian coast route, and the RAF
redoubled their efforts to find new airstrips. Dibba and Kalba were judged unsuitable because of the
surrounding mountains and the harsh terrain.
This left Imperial Airways in difficulties, with no agreement with Ras al Khaimah or Dubai, with Abu
Dhabi too far from Gwadar, and no suitable strips on the east Trucial Coast. Sharjah was deemed to
be the best solution. Sheikh Sultan bin Saqar (the Ruler) came to the rescue and an agreement was
signed on 22 July 1932 to use land south-east of his town for “an air station”.
Imperial Airways would select and mark the landing ground, and the Sheikh would “construct a rest
house for the passengers and staff”.
A fort and rest house were built near the landing ground, and they exist to this day. This was the first
commercial airfield in what is now the United Arab Emirates. The runway was made of sand, but in
the mid-1960s a concrete runway was constructed, which can still be seen as King Abdul Aziz Street.
Sharjah was the first commercial airfield in what is now the United Arab Emirates.
The fort and rest house being built, 1932 (British Airways Archives)
To be continued in the next newsletter. ¤
Under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahayan
Emirates Natural History Group in Al Ain
9
September 2014 Newsletter
Meeting Location
The Al Ain Chapter of the ENHG meets at the Emirates University Islamic Institute.
General meetings as well as committee meetings take place on announced Tuesdays, all members and invited friends are welcome to
attend either meeting.
Location Details (Courtesy of Google Earth)
Islamic Institute
Islamic Institute GPS location :
24 13 44.80 N
055 44 59.50 E
www.enhg.org
Committee Members:
Chairperson
Brigitte Howarth [email protected]
050 619 7316
Vice Chairperson
Leslie Butler
[email protected]
050 112 1637
Treasurer
Joseph Mansour [email protected]
050 130 4660
Library
Verena Davies
050 583 4049
[email protected]
Newsletter Editor
Alex Schmarr
[email protected]
055 834 5079
Under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahayan

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