A benthic habitat sensitivity analysis of Qatar's coastal zone

A sensitivity analysis of Qatar's coastal benthic habitats identifies six high-risk zones, characterized by seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, and coral reefs, which are particularly vulnerable to natural and anthropogenic stressors. These areas include the Al Zubarah offshore reefs, the Al Ruwais fringing reef, the east-coast bays of Al Khor and Al Dhakira, the Mesaieed shore-attached reef complex, Jazirat al Bushayriyah offshore high, and Halul Island's shelf. The study builds on a high-resolution, ground-truthed benthic habitat map covering 4500 km², assigning sensitivity scores from 1 (low risk) to 5 (high risk). This analysis provides critical data for marine spatial planning and ecosystem-based management, supporting sustainable development in rapidly-developing coastal regions.

Butler, J. D., Purkis, L. M., Purkis, S. J., Yousif, R., & Al-Shaikh, I. (2021). A benthic habitat sensitivity analysis of Qatar’s coastal zone. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 167, 112333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112333