Regional coral reefs in better shape than elsewhere, study shows

Dubai, November 3, 2008 (WAM) - Nature lovers can be optimistic about the future of marine life and natural beauty in the waters of the Arabian Gulf.
Researchers have found that the coral reefs, a crucial element of the ecosystem of the Arabian Gulf, are more powerful than their counterparts in the rest of the world, officials who took part in a three-year study on the issue, told Gulf News on Sunday.
"Coral reefs are home to 25 per cent of all marine life, including fish, and provide 10 per cent of the world's diet. They also contribute US$375 billion (Dh1.37 trillion) in annual revenue to the world economy", they said.
"Our three-year-long research in Abu Dhabi and in the eastern Qatari waters proved that coral reefs in that area can withstand temperatures of up to 35 degrees Celsius. In comparison, coral reefs in the rest of the world can sustain up to 28-31 degrees Celsius only," a senior official said.
This unique feature has attracted international attention. Australia and Japan have started to study corals in the region, said Thabit Zahran Al Abdessalam, the director of the Marine Biodiversity Management Sector at Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi, (EAD). "We may conduct more studies in cooperation with those countries", he added.
Researchers and officials here spoke to Gulf News on the sidelines of a function to mark the publication of a book titled Coral in the Southeastern Arabian Gulf.
The book, published by Dolphin Energy Limited, has been developed from the original regional research project titled Coral Reef Investigations in Abu Dhabi and Eastern Qatar.
The project was sponsored by the company in partnership with the Emirates Wildlife Society and WWF (EWS-WWF).
Although 65 per cent of coral reefs in the Arabian Gulf were destroyed due to high temperatures in 1996, 1998 and 2002, it was minimal compared to the damage in the rest of the world, two researchers told Gulf News.
"It was due to the unique strength of the coral reefs in the region", said Kristi. A. Foster and John Gregory Foster of National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI), Florida, US, which also took part in the three-year project. "A variation in temperature by even one degree can destroy the coral reefs", they said.
Corals in the region have the capacity to withstand low temperatures of up to 16 degrees Celsius, while those in the rest of the world can sustain up to 18 degrees, they added.