Article
Environmental Sciences
Fahad Al Senafi
Summary: The Arabian Gulf is one of the world's most unique and fragile marine ecosystems, vulnerable to climate change due to its shallow depth and arid location. This study analyzes sea surface temperature (SST) variability in the Gulf using empirical orthogonal function (EOF) decomposition analysis from 1982 to 2020. The results indicate that SST variability in the Gulf is influenced by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation (AMO), and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) climate modes. Additionally, the study reveals a warming trend in the average SST in the Gulf over the past four decades, despite indications of overall heat loss at the air-sea interface.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jassim A. Al-Khayat, S. Veerasingam, V. M. Aboobacker, P. Vethamony
Summary: This study examined the assemblages of encrusting organisms on different types of stranded floating marine debris (FMD) along the west coast of Qatar, and found 18 fouling species belonging to 5 phyla. Larger size FMD had more taxa, and some barnacle rafting types were non-indigenous species.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Aleke Stofen-O'Brien, Abolfazl Naji, Amy L. Brooks, Jenna R. Jambeck, Farhan R. Khan
Summary: In recent years, there has been increasing attention on the amount of plastic waste entering the marine environment globally, with certain areas remaining relatively undocumented. Research findings on this topic within the countries adjacent to the Arabian/Persian Gulf are sparse, with significant gaps in precise details on plastic marine debris and management responses. This article addresses these shortcomings from a transdisciplinary perspective, highlighting the need for dedicated cooperative efforts within the region to tackle the issue effectively.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gregory M. Mueller, Kelmer Martins Cunha, Tom W. May, Jessica L. Allen, James R. S. Westrip, Catia Canteiro, Diogo Henrique Costa-Rezende, Elisandro Ricardo Drechsler-Santos, Aida M. Vasco-Palacios, Antony Martyn Ainsworth, Genivaldo Alves-Silva, Frank Bungartz, Amanda Chandler, Susana C. Goncalves, Irmgard Krisai-Greilhuber, Reda Irsenaite, John Bjarne Jordal, Thiago Kosmann, James Lendemer, Richard Troy McMullin, Armin Mesic, Viviana Motato-Vasquez, Yoshihito Ohmura, Rikke Reese Naesborg, Claudia FerMi, Irja Saar, Diego Simijaca, Rebecca Yahr, Anders Dahlberg
Summary: Fungal species are also vulnerable to the threats faced by animals and plants, and recent efforts have led to an increase in the number of published fungal assessments. The 597 assessed fungal species in the 2022-1 IUCN Red List update provide the first global review of the extinction risk and threats faced by fungi. Nearly 50% of the assessed species are threatened, with habitat loss/degradation, climate change, invasive species, and pollution identified as the primary threats.
Review
Fisheries
Abdulrahman Ben-Hasan, Moslem Daliri
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive account of artisanal fisheries in the Arabian/Persian Gulf. It reveals that artisanal fisheries contribute to around 71% of the total catch in the Gulf and gillnets, traps, and lines are the most commonly used fishing gears. The artisanal catch mainly consists of medium to large demersal, pelagic, and reef-associated fish. Fisheries management relies on gear restrictions, minimum size of capture, seasonal closures, and spatial restrictions, but weak enforcement is a core issue. Mismanaged fisheries, coastal development, and climate change are the primary threats to fish abundance and essential habitats.
REVIEWS IN FISH BIOLOGY AND FISHERIES
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Mustafa Omerspahic, Hareb Al-Jabri, Simil Amir Siddiqui, Imen Saadaoui
Summary: With worldwide water shortage increasing, seawater desalination is gaining popularity as an inexhaustible source of freshwater. However, the brine produced during the desalination process has negative effects on the marine environment. Efforts are being made to improve desalination technology and develop effective brine management methods to minimize these impacts.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Rafael Miranda, Imanol Miqueleiz, William Darwall, Catherine Sayer, Nicholas K. Dulvy, Kent E. Carpenter, Beth Polidoro, Nadia Dewhurst-Richman, Caroline Pollock, Craig Hilton-Taylor, Robin Freeman, Ben Collen, Monika Boehm
Summary: Global biodiversity targets require monitoring of species at risk and quantifying biodiversity trends. This study uses the Red List Index (RLI) to analyze the conservation status of world fishes in 2010. The results show that 15.1% of sampled species are threatened with extinction, with fishing being the main threat for marine species and pollution from agriculture and forestry effluents for freshwater fishes.
REVIEWS IN FISH BIOLOGY AND FISHERIES
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Matt Friedman
Summary: Bony fishes are the main group of backboned animals in aquatic environments. Paleontology provides important perspectives on their evolution, although confidence in the placement of fossils is variable. Understanding of the taxonomic and morphological diversity of bony fishes throughout history is still incomplete, and incorporating fossil information requires phylogenetic analysis.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY EVOLUTION AND SYSTEMATICS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Robert A. Leidy, Peter B. Moyle
Summary: Freshwater biodiversity loss, especially in fishes, exceeds that of terrestrial systems, with about 30% of freshwater fish species threatened with extinction globally. Standard monitoring of fish status is inadequate to keep up with rapid declines, leading to challenges in evaluating and addressing conservation status promptly. The California Method for Status Evaluation of Fishes, utilizing local expertise to inform short-term management decisions, provides an alternative approach to assessing the regional status of freshwater fishes.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Francesco Paparella, Daniele D'Agostino, John A. Burt
Summary: The nations on the Arabian/Persian Gulf are the largest users of desalination technologies, but concerns have been raised about the long-term effects of increased salinity on marine ecosystems. Current desalinated freshwater production is relatively small, but projections suggest it could reach 10% of net evaporation by the end of the century. However, climate scenarios indicate that increased air temperature and potential changes in precipitation could mitigate the effects of desalination. Additionally, the circulation of high-salinity waters through the Strait of Hormuz limits basin-wide salinity increases.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Aaron C. Greenville, Thomas M. Newsome, Glenda M. Wardle, Chris R. Dickman, William J. Ripple, Brad R. Murray
Summary: The research found that species facing more threats do not necessarily have a higher risk of extinction, and different combinations of threats do not predict extinction risk in the same way across different spatial scales. The only exception is cartilaginous fishes, which face higher extinction risk with increasing numbers of threats.
CONSERVATION LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Monika Bohm, David L. Waldien, Gregory P. Setliff, Kristine O. Abenis, Luis F. Aguirre, Perpetra Akite, Marnelli S. Alviola, Phillip A. Alviola, Jose Luis Aramayo Bejarano, Jade Aster T. Badon, Aimee Lynn A. Barrion-Dupo, Gilianne Brodie, Analyn Cabras, Catia Canteiro, James A. Danoff-Burg, Emmanuel Ryan C. De Chavez, Mariano Roy M. Duya, Orlando L. Eusebio, Norashikin Fauzi, Zachary J. Glass, Noelle E. Grabowski, Juan Fernando Guerra Serrudo, Sergio S. Henriques, Brent M. Horton, Vijaya Kumaran Jayaraj, Beth A. Kaplin, Shannon M. Keller, Maria Julieta Ledezma Arias, Ireneo L. Lit, Cristian C. Lucanas, Milton Norman D. Medina, Michael D. Meyer, Jenna Miladin, Ahmim Mourad, Gregory M. Mueller, Shiloh S. Narayan, Jeremy C. B. Naredo, Tamara Osborne-Naikatini, Joseph B. Rasalan, Bindiya Rashni, Simon Musila, Appalasamy Suganthi, Nunia Thomas-Moko, Chrestine B. Torrejos, John R. Wallace, Hilda Waqa-Sakiti, Sheryl Yap
Summary: Global biodiversity decline continues, and it is crucial to bring in new and diverse contributors to fill data gaps. Linking academia with assessment processes can enhance species assessments. Professors can integrate Red List learning into teaching, helping students develop professional networks and research skills.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elin A. Thomas, Aoife Molloy, Nova B. Hanson, Monika Boehm, Mary Seddon, Julia D. Sigwart
Summary: The study shows that 62% of molluscs endemic to hydrothermal vents are under threat, with some species fully protected while others facing threats from deep-sea mining. The relative threat index highlights greater risks at vent fields in the Indian Ocean, while vent sites within established marine protected areas have a higher proportion of species assessed as Least Concern.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Diego Bruciaferri, Marina Tonani, Isabella Ascione, Fahad Al Senafi, Enda O'Dea, Helene T. Hewitt, Andrew Saulter
Summary: This study explores the sensitivity of a shelf sea model to changes in various factors and introduces two new high-resolution models. The results show that the new models have higher accuracy in representing sea surface temperature and water column stratification compared to the existing model. However, high-resolution models may be prone to the double-penalty effect in certain situations.
GEOSCIENTIFIC MODEL DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lotfi Rabaoui, Ruben H. Roa-Ureta, Lamia Yacoubi, Yu-Jia Lin, Rommel Maneja, Thadickal Joydas, Premlal Panickan, Jinoy Gopalan, Ronald Loughland, Perdana K. Prihartato, Ali Qassem, Tyas Hikmawan, Bruno Diaz Lopez, Mohammed A. Qurban
Summary: This study addresses the lack of information on marine mammal diversity, distribution, and density in the Saudi waters of the Arabian Gulf. The research confirms a high diversity of cetaceans in the region, with bottlenose and humpback dolphins being the most common species, while Dugongs are mainly found in coastal waters in the southern part of the study area. The presence of dolphins is increased during the summer months and in the vicinity of oil and gas facilities, mainly within a 10-20 km radius around each facility.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrew H. Baird, James R. Guest, Alasdair J. Edwards, Andrew G. Bauman, Jessica Bouwmeester, Hanaka Mera, David Abrego, Mariana Alvarez-Noriega, Russel C. Babcock, Miguel B. Barbosa, Victor Bonito, John Burt, Patrick C. Cabaitan, Ching-Fong Chang, Suchana Chavanich, Chaolun A. Chen, Chieh-Jhen Chen, Wei-Jen Chen, Fung-Chen Chung, Sean R. Connolly, Vivian R. Cumbo, Maria Dornelas, Christopher Doropoulos, Gal Eyal, Lee Eyal-Shaham, Nur Fadli, Joana Figueiredo, Jean-Francois Flot, Sze-Hoon Gan, Elizabeth Gomez, Erin M. Graham, Mila Grinblat, Nataly Gutierrez-Isaza, Saki Harii, Peter L. Harrison, Masayuki Hatta, Nina Ann Jin Ho, Gaetan Hoarau, Mia Hoogenboom, Emily J. Howells, Akira Iguchi, Naoko Isomura, Emmeline A. Jamodiong, Suppakarn Jandang, Jude Keyse, Seiya Kitanobo, Narinratana Kongjandtre, Chao-Yang Kuo, Charlon Ligson, Che-Hung Lin, Jeffrey Low, Yossi Loya, Elizaldy A. Maboloc, Joshua S. Madin, Takuma Mezaki, Choo Min, Masaya Morita, Aurelie Moya, Su-Hwei Neo, Matthew R. Nitschke, Satoshi Nojima, Yoko Nozawa, Srisakul Piromvaragorn, Sakanan Plathong, Eneour Puill-Stephan, Kate Quigley, Catalina Ramirez-Portilla, Gerard Ricardo, Kazuhiko Sakai, Eugenia Sampayo, Tom Shlesinger, Leony Sikim, Chris Simpson, Carrie A. Sims, Frederic Sinniger, Davies A. Spiji, Tracy Tabalanza, Chung-Hong Tan, Tullia I. Terraneo, Gergely Torda, James True, Karenne Tun, Kareen Vicentuan, Voranop Viyakarn, Zarinah Waheed, Selina Ward, Bette Willis, Rachael M. Woods, Erika S. Woolsey, Hiromi H. Yamamoto, Syafyudin Yusuf
Summary: The discovery of multi-species synchronous spawning on the Great Barrier Reef in the 1980s led to efforts to document spawning times globally. The Coral Spawning Database (CSD) compiles data from over 100 sites in the Indo-Pacific region to provide open access for studying coral reproductive biology. The CSD aims to accelerate understanding of coral reproduction and to establish a baseline for evaluating future changes in reproductive patterns.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Remi N. Ketchum, Edward G. Smith, Grace O. Vaughan, Dain McParland, Noura Al-Mansoori, John A. Burt, Adam M. Reitzel
Summary: This study explores how microbial communities change under different temperature conditions, identifying microbial taxa that are closely correlated with the thermal environment.
Article
Oceanography
Lucia M. Fanning, Mera Nasser Al-Naimi, Pedro Range, Abdel-Samad M. Ali, Jessica Bouwmeester, Fahad Al-Jamali, John A. Burt, Radhouane Ben-Hamadou
Summary: This paper explores the potential application of the Ecosystem Services EBM framework in managing Qatar's coral reef and seagrass bed ecosystems to address the threats facing the marine environment. By collecting data and conducting interviews with stakeholders, it provides new knowledge about the status of these ecosystems and the benefits valued by stakeholders, as well as identifying key steps and strategies for implementing EBM. Stakeholders have identified goals such as scientific planning, valuation of the marine environment, drafting supportive legislation, enforcement of laws, and promoting public awareness as crucial for successful EBM implementation in Qatar.
OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Felipe Torquato, Jessica Bouwmeester, Pedro Range, Alyssa Marshell, Mark A. Priest, John A. Burt, Peter R. Moller, Radhouan Ben-Hamadou
Summary: A population genetic study on the regional endemic table coral species, Acropora downingi, in the northeastern Arabian Peninsula revealed distinct genetic clusters between the Arabian/Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman populations. Despite a slightly structured population indicated by neutral markers, hypotheses such as bottleneck events and ecological speciation were considered to explain the observed genetic differences.
Article
Environmental Sciences
D. Mateos-Molina, E. Ben Lamine, M. Antonopoulou, J. A. Burt, H. S. Das, S. Javed, J. Judas, S. B. Khan, S. B. Muzaffar, N. Pilcher, C. J. Rodriguez-Zarate, O. J. S. Taylor, S. Giakoumi
Summary: This study mapped and validated the distribution of key coastal and marine habitats, species, and critical areas in the Gulf area of the UAE, identifying gaps in current protection and assessing data quality. Existing protected areas are insufficient to safeguard key ecological features, such as mangroves and coastal lagoons, highlighting the need for improved conservation planning and ecosystem-based management.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paul L. A. Erftemeijer, Marion L. Cambridge, Brae A. Price, Satoshi Ito, Hiroshi Yamamoto, Titus Agastian, John A. Burt
Summary: The study shows that mangrove seedlings respond positively to sludge from sewage treatment plants, with enhanced growth attributed to higher levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in the sludge, as well as its low salinity. This suggests that sewage sludge may be beneficially used in mangrove nurseries and plantations in arid regions with nutrient-poor soils and scarce fresh water resources.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Edward G. Smith, Khaled M. Hazzouri, Jae Young Choi, Patrice Delaney, Mohammed Al-Kharafi, Emily J. Howells, Manuel Aranda, John A. Burt
Summary: By studying the population genomics of the brain coral in the Persian/Arabian Gulf (PAG), researchers have found that the corals in the PAG represent a distinct subpopulation that was established during the Holocene marine transgression. The genomes of these corals contain selective sweeps associated with thermal adaptation. Although there is limited potential for genetic rescue of neighboring Indian Ocean reefs, there is hope that loci associated with thermal tolerance may exist in the standing genetic variation of corals outside of the PAG.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Emily J. Howells, Mary Hagedorn, Madeleine J. H. Van Oppen, John A. Burt
Summary: Reef-building corals, living near their upper thermal limits, are endangered by global warming. Cross-breeding with heat-adapted populations can potentially increase the thermal limits of sensitive corals, but the regional variation in their reproductive cycles poses limitations. This study overcame this barrier by using cryopreservation technology to cross-breed conspecific coral populations across ocean basins for the first time. The results highlighted the challenges and potential approaches for breeding corals with enhanced thermal tolerance.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Remi N. Ketchum, Phillip L. Davidson, Edward G. Smith, Gregory A. Wray, John A. Burt, Joseph F. Ryan, Adam M. Reitzel
Summary: This study presents a chromosome-level genome assembly for Echinometra sp. EZ, a sea urchin species from the Persian/Arabian Gulf, based on 10x Genomics, PacBio, and Hi-C sequencing. The assembly provides insights into the genome composition, gene content, and genetic factors associated with environmental stress response. The findings contribute to understanding the biology of E. sp. EZ and the diversification of the Echinometra genus, and also serve as a valuable resource for future research in this taxonomic group and beyond.
GENOME BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
David R. Nelson, Amphun Chaiboonchoe, Khaled M. Hazzouri, Basel Khraiwesh, Amnah Alzahmi, Ashish Jaiswal, Guillermo Friis, John A. Burt, Khaled M. A. Amiri, Kourosh Salehi-Ashtiani
Summary: This study compared the transcriptomes of Avicennia marina in different environments, revealing tissue-specific gene expression differences. Flower genes showed the most distinct expression, while pneumatophores highly expressed antioxidant genes and leaves expressed salt exporter genes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zouhair Lachkar, Michael Mehari, Marina Levy, Francesco Paparella, John A. Burt
Summary: The Arabian Gulf, a shallow semi-enclosed subtropical sea, has experienced a decline in oxygen concentrations and expansion of seasonal hypoxia in the past few decades. Factors such as enhanced vertical stratification, reduced oxygen solubility, and increased nutrient supply have contributed to this deoxygenation. These changes have profound implications for the ecosystems and fisheries of the region.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jessica Bouwmeester, Radhouane Ben-Hamadou, Pedro Range, Fahad Al Jamali, John A. Burt
Summary: The Persian Gulf is an extreme thermal environment where reef corals have adapted to survive. The reef communities in Qatar Peninsula have been described in this study, showing that the healthiest coral reefs are found in deeper offshore reefs, while shallow reefs have lower species richness and abundance due to recurrent bleaching events and development pressures.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Francesco Paparella, Daniele D'Agostino, John A. Burt
Summary: The nations on the Arabian/Persian Gulf are the largest users of desalination technologies, but concerns have been raised about the long-term effects of increased salinity on marine ecosystems. Current desalinated freshwater production is relatively small, but projections suggest it could reach 10% of net evaporation by the end of the century. However, climate scenarios indicate that increased air temperature and potential changes in precipitation could mitigate the effects of desalination. Additionally, the circulation of high-salinity waters through the Strait of Hormuz limits basin-wide salinity increases.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Aaron Bartholomew, John A. Burt, Louise B. Firth
Summary: Artificial reef deployment is increasing in the Arabian/Persian Gulf, providing economic, social, and ecological benefits, but also posing risks such as overfishing and the spread of invasive species. Managers should define clear goals, implement long-term monitoring, and disseminate the results to guide sustainable reef programs.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Zoology
R. N. Ketchum, E. G. Smith, G. O. Vaughan, D. McParland, N. Al-Mansoori, J. A. Burt, A. M. Reitzel
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2021)
