Red Sea Coral Reef Monitoring Site in Sudan after 39 Years Reveals Stagnant Reef Growth, Continuity and Change

A long-term study spanning 39 years reveals stagnant reef growth and shifts in coral community composition at the UNESCO-listed Sanganeb Marine National Park, despite its remote location. The research, using repeated photomosaic surveys, found a significant decline in net accretion rates—over 80% slower than in previous decades—alongside changes in dominant coral species (e.g., increases in Pocillopora verrucosa and decreases in Acropora cytherea). While overall community structure remained stable, species-level shifts and rising uncolonized substrate suggest impacts from climate change, including bleaching events. This study provides one of the longest benthic community time series for the Red Sea, offering critical insights into reef resilience and vulnerability.

Abdelhamid, S., Reinicke, G. B., Klaus, R., Höhn, J., Saad, O. S., & Grenzdörffer, G. (2024). Red Sea Coral Reef Monitoring Site in Sudan after 39 Years Reveals Stagnant Reef Growth, Continuity and Change. Diversity, 16(7), 379. https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070379