Dendra is an international pioneering ecological restoration company dedicated to leveraging technology and data-driven solutions for environmental conservation, in the UAE they are focused on mangrove and arid restoration.
The company addresses the pressing issues of environmental degradation by providing innovative solutions that optimise restoration efforts and ensure long-term ecological health. Through advanced technologies such as remote sensing, drones, and AI-enabled platforms, Dendra streamlines the restoration process, from initial assessment to monitoring and maintenance.
Building restoration systems using AI
The idea for Dendra stemmed from recognising the need for scalable and efficient solutions to combat loss in specific environments, such as mangrove and arid ecosystems. Dendra was founded by Dr Susan Graham to develop a comprehensive restoration approach that combines decades of research in ecology and land restoration with artificial intelligence (AI) and drone technologies to speed up and scale up land rehabilitation.
“We have now completed our first annual seeding season in an operation that aims to restore 1 million mangroves in Abu Dhabi. Working through challenging summer temperatures to capture and analyse a large area of the Abu Dhabi coastline, the team identified a range of optimal sites before spreading seedlings across 196 sites using custom drones,” said Georges Ibrahim, General Manager of Dendra Middle East in an interaction with edge/.
The team comprises people from different backgrounds including data scientists, ecologists, drone pilots, and engineers, all focussed on preserving the ecosystem. Dendra has operations across the globe in Australia where we work with the mining and large-scale infrastructure sectors, the UK, and the UAE.
Building the core OS
The core of RestorationOS lies in its data-driven approach to land restoration. The process begins with comprehensive data analysis to assess the health of mangrove populations and identify areas for intervention. Utilising remote sensing technology and drones, we capture high-resolution imagery to pinpoint areas suitable for rehabilitation.
“Through strategic seed harvesting and dispersal, and using specially designed drones, we target otherwise inaccessible areas within existing forests for mangrove seeding. Our team then meticulously monitors the germination process, leveraging AI-enabled platforms to analyse data and ensure optimal outcomes. This process of area identification, seeding, and monitoring continues until the target mangrove area is fully restored. During the restoration process and beyond we monitor the ecosystem to assess and proactively react to potential threats,” said Ibrahim.
Creating an optimised approach
However, building and implementing a RestorationOS system presented numerous challenges, with the need to optimise the approach to mangrove restoration and ensure that the entire process was streamlined and successful, from initial assessment to monitoring and maintenance.
To address this challenge, the team combined ecological best practises with their technology to develop RestorationOS, which serves as the backbone of our restoration efforts.
The development of RestorationOS involved a multifaceted approach, combining the team’ decades of ecological knowledge with technological innovation. After conducting extensive research, prototyping, and field testing to refine the product and ensure its viability in real situations.
“We have incorporated feedback from our team and clients, alongside market insights to continue developing and enhancing the scalability. The feedback loop is integral to our process, and we actively solicit feedback from stakeholders, clients, and our team to leverage insights to drive enhancements and adapt to evolving market needs,” explained Ibrahim.
At Dendra, the team leverages a range of technologies which includes remote sensing, drones, AI, and data analytics to power its RestorationOS and drive the ecological restoration efforts.
Focus on research and development
“We prioritise ongoing research and development, and our team is always staying on top of emerging technologies and trends. Our team fosters a culture of innovation and creativity, and we encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing to ensure that we are always evolving and growing,” added Ibrahim.
Dendra stands out in the market due to its comprehensive approach to ecological restoration, combining advanced technology with our ecological expertise.
“Unlike other methods, our data-led approach optimises restoration efforts and maximises our efficiency. Our commitment to transparency, collaboration, and environmental stewardship sets us apart from competitors and we have fostered trust and credibility in the region, working alongside government entities such as the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi and ADQ,” explained Ibrahim.
Currently Dendra has operations in Abu Dhabi and are looking to scale these operations across the whole of the UAE, as they continue to forge strategic partnerships with government entities and private companies who are all aligned with the company’s conservation efforts.
“For us, it’s more than just 100 million mangroves; it’s sustained ecosystem restoration to have a consistent, positive and balanced impact on our planet,” concluded Ibrahim.
