Multiple environmental factors influence the spatial distribution and structure of reef communities in the northeastern Arabian Peninsula

Authors

Andrew G. Bauman, James Cook UniversityFollow
David A. Feary (editor), University of Technology, Sydney
Scott F. Heron, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; James Cook University - Townsville, Australia
Morgan S. Pratchett, James Cook University
John A. Burt, New York University Abu Dhabi

ORCID

0000-0001-9260-2153

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Marine Pollution Bulletin

ISSN

0025-326X

Publication Date

7-30-2013

Keywords

Coral reefs, Coral communities, Persian Gulf, Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Strait of Hormuz

Abstract

Multivariate analysis revealed distinct sub-regional coral communities among the southern Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman. Differences in community structure among locations were associated with considerable spatial heterogeneity in oceanic conditions, and strong directional environmental gradients. Despite clear community differences, considerable changes to coral community structure have occurred throughout the northeastern Arabian Peninsula as compared with previous studies. The most dramatic of these are the apparent changes from Acropora dominated to poritid and faviid dominated communities, particularly in the southern Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. Although temperature and salinity have previously been cited as the major environmental factors structuring coral communities around the region, additional environmental parameters, including chlorophyll-a, surface currents and winds are shown to be important in structuring reef communities throughout the northeastern Arabian Peninsula.

DOI

10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.10.013

Volume

72

Issue

2

First Page

302

Last Page

312

Comments

Appendix A. Supplementary material

Additional Comments

The work was carried out under the auspices of the Nakheel – UNU–INWEH joint project “Strategic Management of Marine Ecosystems in Nakheel Projects” as part of baseline data collection. We thank the following people and organizations that supported this work: E. Grandcourt, A. Al-Cibahy and the Environment Agency–Abu Dhabi, M. K. Shuriqi and Eng. A. Qasem and the Fujairah Municipality, L. H. Al-Kharusi and the Oman Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs, Extra Divers Musandam, Blue Planet Tourism Musandam, Al Sawadi Beach Resort, Oman Dive Centre, R. Baldwin, S. Wilson, F. Vieira, M. Vieira, B. Richardson and P. Dizon-Bauman.

NSUWorks Citation

Andrew G. Bauman, David A. Feary (editor), Scott F. Heron, Morgan S. Pratchett, and John A. Burt. 2013. Multiple environmental factors influence the spatial distribution and structure of reef communities in the northeastern Arabian Peninsula .Marine Pollution Bulletin , (2) : 302 -312. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/occ_facarticles/1320.