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. 2 Coral reef investigations in Abu Dhabi and Eastern Qatar Coral reef investigations in Abu Dhabi and Eastern Qatar 3 2 Coral reef investigations in Abu Dhabi and Eastern Qatar Coral reef investigations in Abu Dhabi and Eastern Qatar 3 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. 4 Coral reef investigations in Abu Dhabi and Eastern Qatar Coral reef investigations in Abu Dhabi and Eastern Qatar 5 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. 4 Coral reef investigations in Abu Dhabi and Eastern Qatar Coral reef investigations in Abu Dhabi and Eastern Qatar 5 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 6 Coral reef investigations in Abu Dhabi and Eastern Qatar Coral reef investigations in Abu Dhabi and Eastern Qatar 7 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.