Abu dhabi: A team of scientists from NYU Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Arabian Centre for Climate and Environmental Sciences (Mubadala ACCESS), in collaboration with several regional environmental authorities, has completed a pioneering study on coral reefs along the UAE coast, assessing their response to extreme heat.
According to Emirates News Agency, the research involved the use of the Coral Bleaching Automated Stress System (CBASS) to conduct 'stress tests' on hundreds of coral colonies in the field. This rapid, 18-hour assay determined each colony's heat tolerance by gradually increasing water temperatures and monitoring the coral's physiological performance.
John Burt, Professor of Biology and Co-Director of Mubadala ACCESS, noted the significance of the study given the UAE's unique marine environment. The research findings could support national marine conservation targets, such as the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi's (EAD) goal of restoring four million corals by 2030. By identifying and cultivating the most heat-tolerant corals, the UAE is better positioned to boost the long-term survival of its reefs amid increasing marine heatwaves.
Maitha Mohamed Al Hameli, Director of Marine Biodiversity Division at EAD, emphasized the importance of science-based solutions in protecting vital ecosystems. She highlighted the agency's coral reef monitoring and survey programme, which has been instrumental in identifying thermally resilient coral colonies for restoration efforts. These findings form the scientific basis of EAD's coral restoration programme, focusing on propagating and transplanting resilient species to enhance reef structure and biodiversity.
Asila Abdullah Al Mualla, Director-General of the Fujairah Environment Authority, praised the study as a critical step towards preserving the UAE's coral reefs and their associated biodiversity and coastal protection benefits. Abdul Aziz Al Suwaidi, Director of Marine Sustainability at the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah, reiterated the importance of this research for maintaining the resilience of the UAE's most biodiverse ecosystem.
Future research will delve into the genetic factors influencing coral performance across different reefs, with plans for selective breeding and coral nursery establishment in the upcoming year. CBASS will continue to play a crucial role in evaluating coral resilience before relocation to local reefs to support restoration efforts.