the status and management of coral reefs in the united arab emirates ashraf al cibahy* and thabit al...
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The Status and Management of Coral
Reefs in The United Arab Emirates
Ashraf Al Cibahy* and
Thabit Al Abdesalaam
*E-mail: [email protected]
www.ead.ae
Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD)
UAE
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UAE Country Profile
Surface area: 83,600 km2 (Abu Dhabi = 87% of total).
Coastline: 650 km (Arabian Gulf) 90 km (Gulf of Oman).
Population: 4.1 million (2005 census
Economy: GDP (2002) = US $ 65.9 billion (Oil and natural gas = 33.9%).
Coastal Habitats: Salt pans, sand flats, coral reefs, sea grass beds, mangroves, tidal inlets.
UAE Coastal Characteristics
UAE Oceanographic characteristics
Monthly seawater temperatures for the waters of the UAE (2002).
Chlorophyll-a concentration in UAE waters during February 2002 (SeaWiFS oceanographic satellite).
Arabian Gulf: Salinity 40 - 44 ppt, temp 20.9 – 34.2 oC
Gulf of Oman: Salinity 35 – 37 ppt, temp 23.1 – 25.0 oC
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Arabian Gulf
Gulf of Oman
Natural constraints to coral reef development (UAE-Arabian Gulf Waters)
• Extreme temperature range & anomalies (10-15 yrs).
• Extreme salinity range.
• Extensive areas of unconsolidated carbonate sediments.
• Scouring action by mobile sediments on limestone substrates.
• High levels of suspended sediment.
Coral reef structure and developmentin UAE
Arabian Gulf
•Poorly developed patch reefs dominated by Acropora and Porites (10% cover).
•Fringing reefs around off-shore islands dominated by mono-specific stands.
•Cycles of mortality, breakdown and re-growth inhibit framework accumulation.
Gulf of Oman
•More favorable conditions for coral growth and reef development.
•Relatively clear water and less extreme temperature and salinity ranges.
•Greater species diversity, live coral cover and variety of growth forms.
Species Diversity (Hermatypic Corals) in the UAE
Acropora valida
Porites lobata
Pseudosiderastrea tayami
Favites pentagona
Turbinaria pelata
Stylophora pistillata
Acanthastraea echinata
Total = 36 species
(Arabian Gulf waters)
Family Family
Acroporidae (8)
Poritidae (6)
Siderastreidae (4)
Faviidae (12)
Dendrophyllidae(2)
Pocilloporidae(1)
Mussidae (1)
(Photos: Charlie Veron)
Distribution of coral reefs in the UAE
(Source: World Conservation Monitoring Centre, 2003)
Total coral reef surface area = 1,190 km2 (Spalding et al., 2001)
Value and uses of coral reefs in the UAE
• Support fisheries.• Provide recreational services eg.
diving and snorkeling.• Tourism (generation of foreign
exchange).• Storm surge and coastal erosion
protection (off-shore islands).• Critical habitats essential for the
maintenance of biodiversity.• Scientific value (especially given
existence in an extreme environment).
Monitoring and Assessment
(1) Jebel Ali Marine Sanctuary
• A coral reef monitoring program has been maintained in the Jebel Ali Marine Sanctuary since 1995 by the Dubai municipality.
• Techniques used include side-scan sonar, video mapping, remote sensing and acoustic seabed mapping. Survey area = 37.7 km 2.
• Surveys have enabled the assessment of 2 coral bleaching episodes during 1996 and 1998.
• Concise maps have been produced for management planning and monitoring purposes.
Monitoring and Assessment
(2) Marawah Marine Protected Area
•A synoptic survey of the Marawah MPA (5,561 km2) revealed the distribution and species composition of corals over a large area off the coast of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
•However, the survey was only implemented in order to establish areas of high conservation value as part of the initial effort to designate the MPA.
Monitoring and Assessment
(3) Marine biotope monitoring off Abu Dhabi
•Natural History Museum of the UK carried out a monitoring program of marine biotopes in the waters off Abu Dhabi.
•Surveys covered 2 catastrophic bleaching events during 1996 and 1998 which were associated with prolonged positive seawater temperature anomalies.
•Surveys are no longer on-going.
Monitoring and Assessment
•MERC of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) conducts aerial surveys for dugongs, turtles, dolphins and marine macro fauna in the waters of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
•Whilst the survey is not specifically designed to monitor coral reefs it does record habitat type along transects, the categories used include seagrass, corals and sandy bottom.
•Additional data collected of relevance to reef monitoring includes the pressure on habitats (number of vessels, fishing nets observed, oil pollution and turbidity).
(4) Marine macro-fauna surveys
Monitoring and Assessment(5) Miscellaneous coral reef associated research & monitoring programsThe Marine Environmental Research Center of EAD implements the following monitoring and assessment activities: Fish population dynamics: Fisheries resource assessment, catch and effort monitoring and
fisheries management (includes reef associated species).
Fishing gear investigations: Development of escape panels to prevent 'ghost fishing' and reduce the retention of juvenile fish.
Phytoplankton blooms: Phytoplankton monitoring in the coastal waters of Abu Dhabi.
Sea turtles: Satellite tagging, nesting surveys, rearing and release.
Oceanography: Coastal water circulation/drifter buoy study.
Marine Protected Areas: MPAs management, planning, surveillance and enforcement and justification of other opportunities in marine and coastal areas of Abu Dhabi Emirate.
Coral reef project
Title: Coral Reef Investigation in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the Eastern Cost of Qatar
(6) CORAL REEF PROJECT
Sponsor: Dolphin Energy
Client / Coordinator: Environment Agency –Abu Dhabi (EAD) and SCENR-Qatar
Management: EWS-WWF
Technical Investigator: NCRI-Florida-USA
Monitoring and Assessment
Project Goal
To develop and advance the conservation, management and sustainable use of coral reefs and associated habitats in the waters off the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Qatar, through the provision of accurate biological, ecological and socio-economic information.
CORAL REEF PROJECT
Project Objectives
• Provide specific – tailor made monitoring and assessment approaches to the unique env. of AD
• Map and assess the status of coral reef habitats in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Qatar
• Investigate biodiversity of corals, and associated habitats / Spp.
• Establish baseline conditions for long term monitoring• Ensure compatibility with int. initiatives of coral
monitoring• Evaluate alternative approaches to rehabilitation• Develop capacity building of UAE/Qatari research
personnel for long term monitoring• Propose a conservation and management strategy for
implementation by state authorities.
Project Outputs
• Study of the distribution, status and threats to coral reefs within Abu Dhabi/Qatar
• Atlas and coral reef identification guide
• Coral reef conservation and management plan
• Solid scientific base for further development by EAD/SCENR
• Opportunities for media awareness campaigns
• Capacity building
CORAL REEF PROJECT: Training
Classroom:• Remote sensing• Coral reef
evolution and life forms
Field:• Ground truthing• Coral reef identification
Field:• Sediment sampling• % Cover
Results of Resource Assessment for Coral Reefs at the Offshore Islands of
Abu Dhabi
CORAL REEF PROJECT
Arzanah Island
51 sites evaluated, of which 11 showed coral growth.
The densest coral growth was found on the western side of the islands. The coral community was in the very early phases of regeneration.
Coral cover was between 1 and 5%. Coral species encountered were:
Platygyra daedalea, Platygyra lamellinaFavia pallida, Porites harrisoniPorites lutea, Cyphastrea microphthalma? Psammocora. sp., Acropora clathrata (40 cm diameter)
Corals are healthy and no diseases were observed. The relatively uniform size distribution of corals suggests that all originated from sexually produced gametes of an upstream source
Das Island A total of 27 sites were evaluated, of
which 5 showed coral growth. The coral community was in the very early
phases of regeneration. Coral cover was around 1%.
Coral species encountered were: Platygyra lamellina , Favia pallida Porites harrisoni
The few observed corals appeared to be of good health and no diseases were observed.
The relatively uniform size distribution of corals suggests that all originated from sexually produced gametes of an upstream source.
Diyenat Island
31 sites were evaluated, of which 17 showed coral growth.
The coral community was in early phases of regeneration.
Coral cover was around 1%.
Coral species encountered were:Platygyra lamellina, Favia pallidaPorites harrisoni, Porites lutea
The observed corals are healthy and no diseases were observed.
The relatively uniform size distribution of corals suggests that all originated from sexually produced gametes of an upstream source
Qrnen Island
31 sites were evaluated, of which 17 showed coral growth.
The coral community was in the very early phases of regeneration.
Coral cover was between 1 and 5%. Coral species encountered were:
Platygyra lamellina, Favia pallidaCyphastrea microphthalma, Turbinaria reniformis, Pseudosiderastrea tayamai, Plesiastrea versipora, Porites harrisoni, Porites lutea
The observed corals are healthy - no diseases were observed.
The relatively uniform size distribution of corals suggests that all originated from sexually produced gametes of an upstream source
Zarkawh Island
2 sites were evaluated, of which 11 showed coral growth.
The densest coral growth was found on the north-western side of the islands.
The coral community was in the very early phases of regeneration.
Coral cover was between 1 and a maximum of 5%.
Coral species encountered were:Platygyra daedalea, Platygyra lamellinaFavia pallida, Porites harrisoniPorites lutea, Cyphastrea microphthalmaAcropora clathrata (small recruit)
Corals were all healthy - no diseases were observed.
The relatively uniform size distribution of corals suggests that all originated from sexually produced gametes of an upstream source
Al Hil Island 6 sites were evaluated, all of which were
situated within a dense coral biostrome and of which 3 showed coral growth.
The coral community showed all the signs of serious mortality suffered during the previous thermal stress events
Coral cover was between 1 and 5% and this was the sight with the strongest Acropora recruitment of all sites.
Coral species encountered were:Platygyra daedalea, Platygyra lamellinaFavia pallida, Porites harrisoniPorites lutea, Cyphastrea microphthalmaAcropora clathrata, Acropora arabensis
Corals were all of good health and no diseases were observed
Significance of findings
Results show clear signs of the coral system’s resilience in the face of what was likely the strongest disturbance of the century
Despite three marked thermal anomalies and their associated coral mass mortality, the reefs are not dead and show very active signs of regeneration.
So far, no extinctions have yet been identified, however, overall coral biodiversity still remains depressed and coral coverage of available substratum remains at record low levels.
The observed corals bear clear evidence of a fertile upstream seeding population and active spread of sexual propagules throughout the region.
There is no evidence for asexual increase in coral populations yet, largely because the colonies are still too small
The active recruitment and reproduction indicates that remaining corals are good health. Thus, there is hope for a full recovery of the coral systems.
Project ProgressProject ProgressYear 1 Percent completed
10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Large-scale map of entire area
Image classification
Field trips
Assess potential for recovery
Publish and circulate results
Production of draft training manuals
Choose trainees
Year 2 Percent completed
Fine-scale map of selected areas
Groundtruthing of image
Field trips
Assess potential for recovery
Publish and circulate results
Finalization of training manuals
Continuation of training
Institutional Framework for Coral Reef Conservation in UAE
Federal Government
Local (Emirate) Government
Non-Governmental
International
Ministry of Environment and Water
Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi
Oil Companies eg. ADNOC, ADCO, Dolphin, etc
Gulf Co-operative Council (GCC)
Federal Environment Agency
UAE University Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME)
National Coastguard and Marine Police
Municipalities eg. the Marine Environment and Sanctuaries Unit of Dubai Municipality
Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS)
Emirates Diving Association
United Nations (IOC/UNEP/UNDP/UNESCO)
Conservation and Management Initiatives for Coral Reef Conservation in UAE
Federal Laws eg. no. 23, 1999 on the Exploitation, Protection and Development of Living Aquatic Resources in the UAE.
Federal Law no. 24 for the Protection and Development of the Environment.
Decrees eg. Decree no. 1 of June 1995 demarcating coral reef areas on the East Coast for protection.
International Conventions: CITES, CBD etc.
Management & Action Plans
Regional: Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Coral Reefs in the Arabian Seas Region (ROPME Sea Area)Kuwait Action Plan
National: eg. Environmental Strategy and Action Plans for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. (EAD).
Marawah Marine Protected Area Management Plan.
Conservation and Management Initiatives:MPAs
Threats & Management IssuesBleaching: Coral mortality (up to 98%) following bleaching events associated with increases in the frequency and prolongation of positive seawater temperature anomalies. Note: diversity in the Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary reduced from 34 to 27 species following the 1996 bleaching event.
Crown of Thorns: periodically abundant on East Coast reefs where they have caused extensive damage.
Disease: Yellow-band, Black-band and white band diseases present and prevalence maybe increased by anthropogenic stressors.
Threats & Management Issues
Threats & Management Issues
Threats & Management Issues
Effects of fishing eg. by-catch
Conclusions
1. The coral reefs of the UAE have cultural, economic and scientific value.
2. Threats are primarily derived from positive seawater temperature anomalies, hyper-saline and thermal cooling water discharges, dredging and landfill, urban refuse and the effects of fishing.
3. Coral reef monitoring activities in the UAE started in 1995. Monitoring has relied on international expertise highlighting the need for national capacity building.
4. There are a variety of conservation and management initiatives being implemented by NGO’s as well as local/federal government institutions and international organizations. (Legislation, strategic action plans, MPAs, education and awareness campaigns etc.)
Acknowledgement:
Bernhard Riegl and Samuel Purkis (NCRI, Florida)
Thabit Zahran, Suad Al Harthi, Mohamed Jassim, Hamad Al Mazroei, (EAD, UAE)
Nasser AL Shaiba (EHS,Dubai Ports)
EWS-WWF
Dolphin Energy