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Mateos-Molina D, Bejarano I, Pittman SJ, Möller M, Antonopoulou M, Jabado RW. Coastal lagoons in the United Arab Emirates serve as critical habitats for globally threatened marine megafauna. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 200:116117. [PMID: 38364638 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Shallow coastal lagoons are vital ecosystems for many aquatic species and understanding their biodiversity is essential. Very little is known about the distribution and abundance of globally threatened marine megafauna in coastal lagoons of the Arabian Gulf. This study combined underwater and aerial surveys to investigate the distributions and relative abundance of marine megafauna in a large lagoon. We identified 13 species of megafauna including sea turtles, sharks, and rays. Eleven of these are globally threatened according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Critically Endangered Halavi guitarfish (Glaucostegus halavi), and the Endangered green turtle (Chelonia mydas) were the most frequently occurring species. Results demonstrate the value of combining aerial and underwater video surveys to obtain spatially comprehensive data on marine megafauna in shallow coastal lagoons. This new information emphasises the importance of Umm Al Quwain lagoon for biodiversity conservation to protect threatened marine species and their habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Mateos-Molina
- Emirates Nature in association with World Wildlife Fund (Emirates Nature - WWF), P.O. Box 454891, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Ivonne Bejarano
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, American University of Sharjah, PO Box 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Simon J Pittman
- Oxford Seascape Ecology Lab, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QY, United Kingdom
| | - Mona Möller
- Emirates Nature in association with World Wildlife Fund (Emirates Nature - WWF), P.O. Box 454891, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Marina Antonopoulou
- Emirates Nature in association with World Wildlife Fund (Emirates Nature - WWF), P.O. Box 454891, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rima W Jabado
- Elasmo Project, P.O. Box 29588, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
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Samara F, Bejarano I, Mateos-Molina D, Abouleish M, Solovieva N, Yaghmour F, Ali T, Saburova M. Environmental assessment of oyster beds in the northern Arabian Gulf Coast of the United Arab Emirates. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 195:115442. [PMID: 37660665 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
The United Arab of Emirates (UAE) hosts valuable coastal and marine biodiversity, and oysters are one of the habitants of its marine ecosystem. Oysters play an essential role in the nearshore coasts where they work as an active filter. They filter nutrients, phytoplankton, sediments, heavy metals, and toxins out of the water, which improves the water quality. This is the first study that characterizes oyster bed habitats in the UAE by analyzing water quality parameters, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs)and heavy metals in water, sediments and oyster samples collected from five locations along the coasts of Sharjah, Ajman, and Umm al Quwain. Oyster bed areas supported a diverse assemblage of benthic life including oysters, scallops, pen shells, hard corals, and macroalgae. Mobile species in these habitats included groupers, emperors, snappers, sea snakes, among others. The phytoplankton assemblages were dominated by diatoms, dinoflagellates, and small cryptophytes. Harmful diatom Pseudonitzschia was found in all locations. No detectable concentrations of PAHs and OCPs were reported in this study, and water quality parameters were within the acceptable levels for the region. On the other hand, water quality index was reported marginal, mostly due to the presence of higher than acceptable concentrations of chromium and mercury in all sites studied. Bioconcentration factors concluded that oysters were able to bioconcentrate metals such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and zinc, when compared to water. No detectable concentrations of lead and mercury were reported in oysters, suggesting higher depuration rates for those metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatin Samara
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Ivonne Bejarano
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Daniel Mateos-Molina
- College of Marine Sciences and Aquatic Biology, University of Khorfakkan, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Emirates Nature - World Wide Fund for Nature (Emirates Nature-WWF), Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamed Abouleish
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nadia Solovieva
- General Studies Division, Higher Colleges of Technology, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Department of Geography, ECRC, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Fadi Yaghmour
- Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre (Scientific Research Department), Environment and Protected Areas Authority, Kalba, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Tarig Ali
- Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Maria Saburova
- Environment and Life Sciences Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Slamiya, Kuwait
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Zuo J, Zhang L, Chen B, Liao J, Hashim M, Sutrisno D, Hasan ME, Mahmood R, Sani DA. Assessment of coastal sustainable development along the maritime silk road using an integrated natural-economic-social (NES) ecosystem. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17440. [PMID: 37426792 PMCID: PMC10329136 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding spatial change and its driving factors behind coastal development is essential for coastal management and restoration. There is an urgent need for quantitative assessments of sustainable development in the coastal ecosystems that are most affected by anthropogenic activities and climate change. This study built a theme-based evaluation methodology with the Natural-Economic-Social (NES) complex ecosystem and proposed an evaluation system of coastal sustainable development (CSD) to understand the complex interactions between coastal ecosystems and anthropogenic activities. The approach revealed the levels of coastal natural, economic, and social sustainable development in the countries along the Maritime Silk Road (MSR) from 2010 to 2020. The results showed (1) a decreasing trend for coastal sustainable development between 2010 and 2015 and a rapid increasing trend between 2015 and 2020; (2) spatially varied CSD, with higher levels in Europe and Southeast Asia and lower levels in South and West Asia and North Africa; and (3) a strong influence on CSD by a combination of economic and social factors and relatively little influence by natural factors. The study further assessed the natural, economic, and social development scores for 41 countries and compared them with the mean scores (MSR) to classify coastal development patterns into three stages (favorable, transitional, and unfavorable). Finally, in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the study highlighted the importance of more refined global indicators for CSD assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zuo
- Key Laboratory of Digital Earth Science, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100094, China
- International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals, Beijing, 100094, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Digital Earth Science, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100094, China
- International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Bowei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Digital Earth Science, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100094, China
- International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Jingjuan Liao
- Key Laboratory of Digital Earth Science, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100094, China
- International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Mazlan Hashim
- Geoscience & Digital Earth Centre (INSTEG), Research Institute for Sustainable Environment (RISE), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
- Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
| | - Dewayany Sutrisno
- Center for Research, Promotion and Cooperation, Geospatial Information Agency (BIG), Cibinong, 16911, Indonesia
| | - Mohammad Emran Hasan
- Climate Justice and Natural Resource Rights, Oxfam GB in Bangladesh, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1206, Bangladesh
| | - Riffat Mahmood
- Department of Geography and Environment, Jagannath University, Dhaka, 1100, Bangladesh
| | - Dalhatu Aliyu Sani
- Geoscience & Digital Earth Centre (INSTEG), Research Institute for Sustainable Environment (RISE), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
- Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
- Department of Geography, Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano, Nigeria
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Bento R, Jabado RW, Sawaf M, Bejarano I, Samara F, Yaghmour F, Mateos-Molina D. Oyster beds in the United Arab Emirates: Important fishing grounds in need of protection. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 182:113992. [PMID: 35939931 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
There is scarce information on the current importance of oyster beds as fishing grounds in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study aims to understand the socio-economic value of oyster bed fisheries through questionnaire-based surveys with fishers. Of 106 Emirati fishers interviewed, 67 % use oyster beds due to the proximity to shore, better catch quality, and species abundance. Oyster bed fisheries are recreational and commercial, with handline and fish traps the most common used gears. They provide food for local consumption and cash income. All respondents noticed a fish abundance and size decrease throughout the last decade. Fishers suggest establishing marine protected areas and updating fishing regulations to improve fishing stock status. During the Covid-19 pandemic, oyster fisheries increased, highlighting the value of these fishing grounds for food availability. These fisheries support the local economy and heritage, and urgently need management to ensure the protection of these often-overlooked habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Bento
- Emirates Nature - WWF, P.O. Box 23304, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rima W Jabado
- Elasmo Project, P.O. Box 29588, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Moaz Sawaf
- Emirates Nature - WWF, P.O. Box 23304, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ivonne Bejarano
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, PO Box 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fatin Samara
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, PO Box 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fadi Yaghmour
- Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre (Scientific Research Department), Environment and Protected Areas Authority, Kalba, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Daniel Mateos-Molina
- Emirates Nature - WWF, P.O. Box 23304, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Depto. Ecología e Hidrología, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
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Bejarano I, Orenes-Salazar V, Bento R, García-Charton JA, Mateos-Molina D. Coral reefs at Sir Bu Nair Island: An offshore refuge of Acropora in the southern Arabian Gulf. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 178:113570. [PMID: 35349864 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Coral reefs across the southern Arabian Gulf have declined in the past two decades, with extensive loss of formerly Acropora table corals, which are now functionally extinct in nearshore reefs. This study documents the coral community at Sir Bu Nair (SBN), an offshore island buffered by less extreme environmental conditions, which contains the last remaining large stands of Acropora in the southern Gulf. We found that Acropora is a major reef-building coral throughout SBN. Mean coral cover was 27% (range: 6%-49%) across all sites and depths, of which more than half was comprised by Acropora. This varied around the island, with the highest densities to the south and southwest in shallow waters. Our study provides essential information for the management and conservation of these highly valuable and vulnerable corals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivonne Bejarano
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences Department, American University of Sharjah, 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Victor Orenes-Salazar
- Departamento de Ecología e Hidrología, Universidad de Murcia, Campus Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Rita Bento
- Emirates Nature - World Wide Fund for Nature (Emirates Nature-WWF), P.O. Box 23304, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Daniel Mateos-Molina
- Departamento de Ecología e Hidrología, Universidad de Murcia, Campus Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain; Emirates Nature - World Wide Fund for Nature (Emirates Nature-WWF), P.O. Box 23304, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
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Lin YJ, Roa-Ureta RH, Pulikkoden ARK, Premlal P, Nazeer Z, Qurban MA, Rabaoui L. Essential fish habitats of demersal fish in the western Arabian Gulf. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 173:113013. [PMID: 34627033 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Information about habitats occupied by aquatic organisms while completing critical stages of their lives, called essential fish habitats, is crucial for their sustainability. In this work, we determine essential fish habitats (nursery and spawning grounds) of several fish species inhabiting Saudi territorial waters in the western Arabian Gulf using data from multiple surveys (2013-2016), geostatistics, and indicator species analysis. We built geostatistical maps of spatial distributions of juvenile and mature fish and examined the strength of association of each species to its observed nursery and spawning areas. Fish nursery areas were generally located in nearshore locations while spawning areas were located in offshore waters. The patterns of nursery and spawning grounds were highly varied among species, supporting a hypothesis of habitat-species heterogeneity: different species use different locations as nursery and spawning grounds. This information can be used as a roadmap for future evidence-based spatial planning and ecosystem-based management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jia Lin
- Marine Studies Section, Center for Environment and Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia.
| | | | - Abdu Rahiman Kambrath Pulikkoden
- Marine Studies Section, Center for Environment and Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
| | - Panickan Premlal
- Marine Studies Section, Center for Environment and Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zahid Nazeer
- Marine Studies Section, Center for Environment and Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad A Qurban
- Marine Studies Section, Center for Environment and Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia; College of Petroleum Engineering and Geosciences, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lotfi Rabaoui
- Marine Studies Section, Center for Environment and Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
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