Publications
Gulf of Aqaba as a thermal refuge: Insights from four years of intensifying marine heatwaves
Despite intensifying marine heatwaves (MHWs) threatening coral reefs globally, the Gulf of Aqaba (GoA) in the Northern Red Sea has emerged as a thermal refuge for corals. A four-year study tracking coral-algae symbiosis in Stylophora pistillata and Pocillopora damicornis revealed their resilience during moderate to severe MHWs, including an unprecedented 113-day event in 2024 with record temperatures (32.6°C) and Degree Heating Weeks (30). Unlike other reefs, these corals persisted without bleaching or photosynthetic impairment, maintaining stable energy reserves. While Porites spp. showed metabolic tolerance, Cyphastrea spp. exhibited temporary symbiont reduction but recovered by January 2025. The study highlights the GoA's status as a climate refuge for corals, though emerging shallow bleaching suggests its limits may be approaching. These findings underscore the urgent need for regional conservation efforts to protect this critical ecosystem.
The Effects of Local Aquatic Activities on Coral Cover in the Jordanian Gulf of Aqaba
A study on the Aqaba Marine Reserve revealed that while recreational marine activities such as diving and snorkeling do not significantly impact coral cover up to 10 meters depth, illegal fishing activities are strongly correlated with reduced coral cover in shallow zones. The research used line transect methods to measure coral cover across 13 diving sites, analyzing their proximity to human disturbances through linear regression. Notably, sites with higher fishing activity exhibited significantly lower coral cover, except at depths between 21-30 meters. This suggests that while recreational activities may have localized effects, illegal fishing poses a more substantial threat to coral health in the Jordanian Gulf of Aqaba.
Inferring the health of coral reefs on the Egyptian coast of the Gulf of Aqaba for three branching-coral species
Coral growth rates in the Aqaba Marine Reserve vary significantly by species, location, and environmental conditions. Acropora humilis exhibited the highest growth rate, followed by Stylophora pistillata and Pocillopora damicornis. Dahab showed the greatest coral proliferation, while Taba had the least. Seasonal analysis revealed peak growth in spring, with salinity positively correlated to growth rates, whereas pH, phosphate (PO4-P), and silicate (SiO4-Si) showed negative correlations. These findings highlight the critical role of localized environmental factors in shaping coral reef health, offering key insights for targeted conservation strategies to enhance resilience against climate change and human-induced stressors.
Minimum soak times of Baited Remote Underwater Video needed to assess the status of a coral reef fish community in the northern Gulf of Aqaba
A study assessing the coral reef fish community in the Aqaba Marine Reserve, Jordan, prior to its redesignation as a protected area in 2020, reveals significant overfishing. Using baited remote underwater video (BRUV), researchers found that the reserve lacked large predators and commercially valuable species like Carcharhinidae, Haemulidae, Lutjanidae, or Scombridae, indicating severe depletion before protection measures were implemented. The study determined optimal soak times for BRUV—150 minutes for overall species richness and 60 minutes for commercially valuable families—to ensure accurate assessments. This research provides a baseline to evaluate potential recovery of the fish community under enhanced management and reduced fishing pressure.
Herbivorous Reef Fishes of South Sinai Marine Protected Areas (Gulf of Aqaba, Egypt): Influence of Fisheries Management and Protection Status
No-take fishery reserves are the most effective in maintaining the richness, body size, and biomass of herbivorous reef fishes, with total biomass 4.3 times higher than in heavily fished areas. The study, conducted across 30 reef sites in the Gulf of Aqaba, Egypt, revealed that heavily fished reefs had a skewed size structure, with smaller individuals (less than 20 cm) dominating and larger species (> 35 cm) accounting for less than 1% of biomass. In contrast, no-take zones exhibited a more balanced size distribution, with large-bodied target species contributing significantly to biomass. Only two regions—Ras Mohammed and Sharm El-Sheikh (unfished) and Nabq (moderately fished)—met the global mean herbivorous fish biomass target. These findings underscore the critical role of strong fisheries management in preventing overfishing and preserving coral reef health.
Nutrient History Affects the Response and Resilience of the Tropical Seagrass Halophila stipulacea to Further Enrichment in Its Native Habitat
Aqaba Marine Reserve's tropical seagrass, Halophila stipulacea, exhibits contrasting responses to nutrient enrichment based on its historical exposure to eutrophication. While populations from oligotrophic South Beach (SB) showed signs of stress—such as reduced biomass, leaf area index (LAI), and internodal distances—those from eutrophic North Beach (NB) thrived with additional nutrients during an unusually warm summer. The study highlights the species' resilience but underscores that prior nutrient exposure significantly influences its response to further enrichment. Key indicators for detecting stress in H. stipulacea include carbohydrate reserves, LAI, internodal length, and apical shoot occurrence. This research emphasizes the importance of monitoring these traits to mitigate impacts on seagrass ecosystems under changing environmental conditions.
You are here:
World Heritage Explorer > World Heritage Research > World Heritage Sites > Aqaba Marine Reserve