Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Grace O. Vaughan, Holly A. Shiels, John A. Burt
Summary: The study found that the abundance and composition of reef fish in the southern Persian/Arabian Gulf are significantly influenced by seasonal temperature changes, with more fish in summer than in winter. Nine key fish species drove the seasonal differences, accounting for 70% of the divergence in community structure between summer and winter.
Correction
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Grace O. Vaughan, Holly A. Shiels, John A. Burt
Summary: This erratum is published to be read as a citation for an article in the reference list.
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
Ehsan Abedi, Jafar Seyfabadi, Abolfazl Saleh, Alireza Sari
Summary: The study examined the spatial and temporal variations of mesozooplankton in relation to environmental parameters in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Physicochemical parameters were measured using a CTD probe and mesozooplankton were sampled vertically using a closing net on board the RV Persian Gulf Explorer during two expeditions. The results showed a relationship between mesozooplankton assemblages and water mass distributions, with copepods dominating the identified taxa.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rahil Nozarpour, Mehdi Ghodrati Shojaei, Reza Naderloo, Federica Nasi
Summary: The effects of mangrove vegetation on crustacean assemblages were investigated using Biological Traits Analysis. The study found that vegetated habitats supported higher taxonomic diversity, while mudflats enhanced the occurrence of surface deposit feeders. The results highlight the importance of mangrove structural complexity for crustacean communities.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Oceanography
Maryam Ghaemi, Behrooz Abtahi, Sara Gholamipour
Summary: This study investigated the hydrographic characteristics, nutrients, and chlorophyll a content in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. The findings revealed that the distribution of nutrients and chlorophyll a in the water column is depth-dependent, and nitrogen is a limiting factor.
OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alain de Verneil, John A. Burt, Matthew Mitchell, Francesco Paparella
Summary: The Arabian Gulf is the warmest sea during summer with high salinity and extreme temperature fluctuations. Research showed recurrent summer hypoxia events in southern Gulf reefs, although currently they are short enough to prevent mass mortality. Future predictions require further study of the causes of oxygen fluctuations in the Gulf.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ehsan Abedi, Jafar Seyfabadi, Abolfazl Saleh, Alireza Sari
Summary: This study assessed the impact of near-hypoxic and hypoxic conditions on the mesozooplankton community in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The results showed that the physicochemical parameters significantly explained the variation of mesozooplankton composition in the study areas.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kaltham Abbas Ismail, Maryam R. Al Shehhi
Summary: This study reveals the vertical and horizontal distribution of nutrients and their response to upwelling in the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. The results show that the Sea of Oman has higher concentrations of nutrients compared to the Arabian Gulf, and there is an increase in nutrient distribution with depth. Nitrate is identified as a limiting nutrient for phytoplankton growth, and curl-driven upwelling plays a significant role in nutrient transport.
Article
Ecology
Samaneh Pazoki, Hassan Rahimian, Reza Naderloo, Elena Kupriyanova
Summary: This study provides the first comprehensive taxonomic survey of the serpulid fauna in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, identifying 17 species from seven genera. The presence of several species in these areas was confirmed for the first time. Morphological characteristics, illustrations, and habitat information were provided for each taxon. The study suggests incorporating molecular data in future research to resolve taxonomic uncertainties.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
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)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Omid Beyraghdar Kashkooli, Sahar Karimian, Reza Modarres
Summary: This study is the first to explore the dominant features of Marine Heat Waves (MHWs) in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. The spatial extent of MHWs has nearly doubled in the last few decades, and the average number of MHW days in the central parts of the Persian Gulf has significantly increased. Additionally, there is an upward trend in both the average number of MHW days and the number of detected MHW events in the study area.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
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
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
Zoology
Farzaneh Momtazi
Summary: This study records two new species of amphipods in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The characteristics of these new species include the shape of gnathopods, setation on the inner plate of the first maxilla, and uropods.
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
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yin Cheong Aden Ip, Jia Jin Marc Chang, Ren Min Oh, Zheng Bin Randolph Quek, Yong Kit Samuel Chan, Andrew G. Bauman, Danwei Huang
Summary: DNA barcoding and metabarcoding techniques were used to uncover cryptobenthic diversity in Singapore's equatorial reefs. The study found that environmental factors influence the diversity patterns of metazoans and other eukaryotes, but not microbial communities.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andrew G. Bauman, Fraser A. Januchowski-Hartley, Aaron Teo, Peter A. Todd
Summary: The increasing incidence of severe coral bleaching caused by climate change is leading to significant coral losses and declines in the physical structure of coral reef ecosystems. Understanding the relationship between coral composition and structural complexity is vital for maintaining ecosystem functions and processes. This study examines the impacts of the 2016 global coral bleaching event on seven coral reefs in Singapore and highlights the importance of structural complexity for reef stability.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
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)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Michele L. Barnes, Lorien Jasny, Andrew Bauman, Jon Ben, Ramiro Berardo, Orjan Bodin, Joshua Cinner, David A. Feary, Angela M. Guerrero, Fraser A. Januchowski-Hartley, John T. Kuange, Jacqueline D. Lau, Peng Wang, Jessica Zamborain-Mason
Summary: This study examines the evolution of a social-ecological network in a common-pool resource system over the past two decades. The results show that the community members are increasingly forming bonding social-ecological network structures and interacting with like-minded others, but there is limited evidence supporting the presence of resourceful actors that can promote innovation.