Coral reef investigations in Abu Dhabi and Eastern Qatar

76 Pages·2008·9.82 MB·English

Final Report
January 2005 - December 2007
Project Sponsor:
Project Manager:
Implementation Agencies:
Photographs of Abu-Dhabi islands copyrighted to EWS-WWF/Dolphin Energy by Ocean World Productions.
Designed by Nick Crawley

Executive Summary:
These are the final findings of the 3 year project Coral Reef Investigations in Abu Dhabi and
Eastern Qatar covering the period 01 January 2005 to 31 December 2007. The project
objectives were to record and map coral reefs between Abu-Dhabi and Eastern Qatar;
assess the condition and potential for recovery of degraded systems and build capacity of
national researchers in Abu-Dhabi and Qatar. The overall goal was to develop a conservation
management plan for coral habitats under study.
In its completion, the project has undertaken large and fine scale mapping of coral in the study
area using satellite imagery, ground verification, accuracy reports, fieldwork around Abu-Dhabi
and eastern Qatar, training (theoretical and practical) of scientific personnel at the Supreme
Council for the Environment and Natural Resources (SCENR) and the Environmental Agency
Abu-Dhabi (EAD), identification of project champions among the trainees, completion of a coral
reef monitoring training manual, production of a conservation master plan endorsed by all the
project partners and completed the final edition of the Coral Reef Documentary.
Work completed reveals and confirms that although overall coral biodiversity remains depressed
in the region, it is clear that, given protection, reefs will recover from the damage suffered during
past stress/temperature anomalies of 1996, 1998 and 2002- in what was likely the strongest
disturbance spanning a century. Nevertheless, their active reproduction indicates they remain in
good heath and are beginning to regenerate.
The Arabian Gulf reefs are very much alive; and growing; particularly in the coral hotspots of
Halul (Qatar) and Ras Ghanda (Abu-Dhabi) discovered to be prime areas of coral biodiversity.
Furthermore, the project highlighted that the offshore islands and banks of Abu-Dhabi and
eastern Qatar harbor some of the most extensive and biologically important coral reef resources
of the southern Arabian Gulf.
Even though the Arabian Gulf’s corals are unique and seem to endure extremely harsh
conditions when compared to corals in other parts of the world, scientists are increasingly
concerned that regional coastal development is accelerating coral die-off. The coral reef
management plan put in place presents legislation and policy required to achieve their
preservation
The overall project progress is more than satisfactory, with 100% of the area mapped;
coral recovery potential for the equivalent area assessed, more than 100% of the field trips
undertaken, local trainees selected and trained; coral management plan endorsed and first ever
documentary on coral reefs of the southeastern Arabian gulf completed.
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PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS FOR THIS PERIOD:
l Mapping and inventory conducted of all relevant to coral reef studies in the
the coral reef and associated habitats Arabian Gulf compiled.
throughout the 86,400 km2 region study l Types, structure and dynamics of the
area within joint Qatari/UAE maritime coral species in the southeastern Arabian
waters. Gulf studied and described.
l All Landsat, Ikonos and Quickbird images l Detailed site assessment: over 1800 dives
acquired and stitched into a continuous & visual inspections
mosaic. High resolution (30m) geo- l Nineteen sites have been evaluated as
referenced satellite map were used. suitable sites for permanent monitoring
l Large scale mapping and development of stations in key locations in the Arabian
several baseline products completed Gulf. Surviving coral at all sites were
l Fine-scale mapping of Bu Tinah shoal and found to be in a healthy state and no
the area between Ras Hanjurah and Ras diseases were observed.
Ghanada as well as Halul completed. l Twelve permanent coral monitoring
stations were installed Abu Dhabi - Eight
l GIS network including habitat stations have been installed at Al Hiel,
classification system done. Bu Tinah (x 2), Makaseb, Saadiyat, Ras
l An identification list of coral species in Ghanada and Yasat (x2). One of the Yasat
the southeastern Arabian Gulf has been stations is a partial station, consisting of
finalized and a list of scientific literature the settlement plate rack only.
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l Qatar - Four stations were installed at Halt l Documentary film production for the first
Dalma, Halul (x 2) and Fasht Al-Ghabi. film documenting the corals of the south-
Halt Dalma is a partial station, consisting eastern Arabian Gulf completed.
of the settlement plate rack only l Classroom and field training for selected
l More than 2000 ground truthing points researchers from SCENR (Qatar) and
were surveyed. EAD (UAE) was conducted in Abu Dhabi,
l Twelve coral monitoring stations are now Qatar and Florida. This included extensive
active. field work and interaction with marine
l A monitoring station log has been environmental agencies in the USA.
developed to track 2005-2007 activities l 30 UAE and Qatari nationals trained,
and to plan for future years. including students.
l A training manual with four technical l A trainee is pursuing a masters degree
and instructional chapters has been related to this project.
completed. An interactive coral l Expert in-country training for 20 personnel
identification program has been created and overseas training for four nationals.
to supplement the training manual. l EAD and SCENR gained leadership
l Software provided to SCENR and EAD qualities in development of a
l Analytical coral assessment software comprehensive coral reef management
customized for the Gulf and provided to strategy.
EAD/SCENR
Key findings:
• Overall coral biodiversity still depressed and coral coverage at record low levels
• Clear signs of the coral system’s resilience
• Reefs show very active signs of regeneration
• So far, no extinctions have been identified
• Fertile upstream seeding population and active spread of sexual propagules
throughout the region
• No evidence for asexual increase in coral populations yet; colonies are still juvenile
• Active recruitment and reproduction indicates that the remaining corals are in good
health. Thus, there is hope for a full recovery of the coral systems, provided protection
and management measures are enforced.
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SCIENTIFIC FINDINGS FOR THIS PERIOD:
l Coral reefs of varying density were Halul are undergoing vigorous recovery.
found to be present on all the islands l Despite being impacted by stress events
and offshore banks investigated in the and the limited area covered by live
southeastern Arabian Gulf. Corals have corals, some of the most extensive and
also been found located beyond reef biologically important coral reef resources
complex associated islands. of the southeastern Arabian Gulf occur in
l The largest and most continuous coral offshore islands and banks of Abu Dhabi
areas on the maps occur around Halul Emirate and Qatar.
Island (Qatar) and Ras Ghanada (Abu l Dinah Island was observed to have the
Dhabi). Yasat and Dalma Islands (Abu widest distribution of corals - despite the
Dhabi) also record good coral growth lower density of its corals compared to
and high coral cover. Coral growth at the other islands.
Yasat occurs along a relatively deep and l The corals of Jernein Islands are in a very
narrow fringe that is not as clearly visible early phase of regeneration.
on Landsat-based maps as are the coral l The observed corals bear clear evidence
areas around Halul and Ras Ghanada. of a fertile upstream seeding population
l Thermal disturbances of 1996, 1998 and active spread of sexual propagules
and 2002 gravely restricted areas throughout the region.
covered by live corals. The satisfactory l There is no evidence for asexual increase
health of corals has been ascertained. in coral populations yet, largely because
Regeneration is variable between sites. the colonies are still too small (asexual
Sites such as Ras Ghanada, Saadiyat and propagation is a frequent occurrence in
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large size Acropora) Yasat for the timeframe of Sep, 2005
l Of a total coral fauna of 36 species through Aug, 2007 indicated the area
prior to past thermal disturbances, at experienced 22 consecutive days of
least half are again firmly established water temperatures below 20°C in winter
within the region. It appears that while 2006 (Jan 18 - Feb 8) compared to 77
Acropora diversity is still depressed consecutive days in winter 2007 (Dec 18,
(i.e., only three of six previously known 2006 - Mar 4, 2007).
species were found), no major shifts in l Reef slope data indicated that the
species presence have occurred overall. seafloor is nearly horizontal at most of the
The major change is a shift away from monitoring station locations, with a mean
Acropora dominance. slope of 2.8°. Saadiyat has the lowest
l Temperature profiles from four sites for the slope of 0.8°. Makaseb has the greatest
timeframe Sep, 2005 through Oct-Nov, slope of 7.5°.
2006 indicating a mean of 28.2°C, with a l Rugosity values ranged from 1.2 - 1.8,
minimum of 16.2°C on January 31, 2006 indicating varying degrees of reef contour
and a maximum of 36.2°C on August 23, complexity between the sites.
2006, signify that the annual profiles for l Sea urchin densities ranged from 0.0-
all sites are very similar - an indication 10.5 individuals per m2 during 2006 and
that the sea water temperature is spatially 2007. Crown-of-thorns starfish were not
constant throughout the shallow (<6m) observed at any of the monitoring station
regions of the southeastern Arabian Gulf. sites.
l A two-year temperature profile from
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Coral Reef Investigations in the Southeastern Arabian Gulf
Sand Unconsolidated carbonate sand.
Dense live coral Dense coral colonies on hardground, typically
consisting of Siderastrea savignyana, Acropora
clathrata, Porites lutea, P. harrisoni intermingled
withFavia spp. And Platygyra spp.
Coral reef under recovery Sparse to dense recovering colonies of Acropora
clatharta and A. downigi
Mixed rubble assemblage Predominately unconsolidated to consolidated
rubble on hardground.
Mixed seagrass and algal MainlyHalodule uninervis with occasional
assemblage H. ovalis often associated with a macro-algal
community consisting of Rhizoclonium tortusum,
Nearshore mixed algal Nearshore sand dominated by marco-algal
community and terrestrial community.
vegetation
Unresolved deep Typically substrate at a depth too great to classify
clearly without ambiguity. Typically the assemblage
consists of unconsolidated sand.
About the Project:
The main purpose of this three year project is to study the distribution, diversity,
abundance, composition and health of the coral reefs and associated habitats in
selected areas of the coastal and marine waters of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and
Eastern Qatar. In addition to the direct scientific research and study, the project
will include media awareness campaigns and specialist training of UAE and
Qatari scientists. The overall goal of the project is to utilize the collated
information to develop a conservation and management plan for the Southern
Arabian Gulf coral ecosystems.
Coral Reef
Investigations
in the Southeastern
Arabian Gulf
January 2005 - December 2007
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