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<p>The Arabian Gulf, known as the world’s hottest sea, supports coral assemblages renowned for their exceptional thermal tolerance. However, the increasing frequency of marine heat waves over the past two decades has driven recurrent bleaching events that are now pushing even these resilient reefs beyond their limits. While reports of bleaching’s effects are readily available from countries such as Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar, and Iran, information from the Saudi Arabian coast remains limited. Here, we present findings from reef surveys conducted between 2010 and 2023, documenting a drastic decline in <i>Acropora</i> spp. cover in Saudi waters of the Arabian Gulf. The overall decline in <i>Acropora</i> cover and its disappearance from nearshore reefs were documented using permanent photoquadrat and transect photoquadrat surveys. The <i>Acropora</i> colonies in permanent photoquadrats deteriorated rapidly, with complete bleaching and mortality by 2011 and loss of skeletal structure by 2012. By 2015, the <i>Acropora</i> corals were extirpated from Abu Ali Island (nearshore reef), while offshore islands witnessed a drastic decrease in <i>Acropora</i> cover (39% <i>Acropora</i> cover in 2010 to &lt; 1% in 2023). Very few <i>Acropora</i> colonies were observed, dominated by tabular forms, while arborescent, caespitose, and corymbose growth forms were rarely recorded despite the continuous reef surveys. However, a few colonies (recruits) of <i>Acropora</i> spp. (caespitose and corymbose form) were observed in Karan Island (in 2020 and 2023) after nearly a decade. This long-term record highlights the vulnerability of Gulf <i>Acropora</i> to repeated thermal stress and demonstrates the importance of sustained monitoring for understanding coral resilience and conservation in extreme marine environments.</p>

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Decline of Acropora spp. in the Saudi Waters of the Arabian Gulf: Insights from Thirteen Years of Reef Surveys

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月29日

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  • Sudhanshu Dixit,
  • Reynaldo T. Lindo,
  • Rommel H. Maneja,
  • Ace Vincent B. Flandez,
  • Jinoy Gopalan,
  • Thiyagarajan Duraisamy,
  • Goutham Sambath,
  • Yasir Y. Asiri,
  • Mubarak S. Al-Jedani,
  • Periyadan K. Krishnakumar,
  • Karuppasamy P. Manikandan,
  • Thadickal V. Joydas,
  • Ali M. Qasem,
  • Diego Lozano-Cortés

摘要

The Arabian Gulf, known as the world’s hottest sea, supports coral assemblages renowned for their exceptional thermal tolerance. However, the increasing frequency of marine heat waves over the past two decades has driven recurrent bleaching events that are now pushing even these resilient reefs beyond their limits. While reports of bleaching’s effects are readily available from countries such as Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar, and Iran, information from the Saudi Arabian coast remains limited. Here, we present findings from reef surveys conducted between 2010 and 2023, documenting a drastic decline in Acropora spp. cover in Saudi waters of the Arabian Gulf. The overall decline in Acropora cover and its disappearance from nearshore reefs were documented using permanent photoquadrat and transect photoquadrat surveys. The Acropora colonies in permanent photoquadrats deteriorated rapidly, with complete bleaching and mortality by 2011 and loss of skeletal structure by 2012. By 2015, the Acropora corals were extirpated from Abu Ali Island (nearshore reef), while offshore islands witnessed a drastic decrease in Acropora cover (39% Acropora cover in 2010 to < 1% in 2023). Very few Acropora colonies were observed, dominated by tabular forms, while arborescent, caespitose, and corymbose growth forms were rarely recorded despite the continuous reef surveys. However, a few colonies (recruits) of Acropora spp. (caespitose and corymbose form) were observed in Karan Island (in 2020 and 2023) after nearly a decade. This long-term record highlights the vulnerability of Gulf Acropora to repeated thermal stress and demonstrates the importance of sustained monitoring for understanding coral resilience and conservation in extreme marine environments.