The Red Sea is home to some of the most diverse and resilient coral reef ecosystems in the world. The coral reefs in the Red Sea have adapted to the harsh environmental conditions of high salinity, temperature, and UV radiation, making them more tolerant to the effects of climate change than most other reefs. However, these reefs are also facing multiple threats from human activities, such as coastal development, overfishing, pollution, and disease. In this blog post, I will explore the status, threats, and conservation efforts of the coral reefs in the Red Sea, focusing on the northernmost region of the Gulf of Aqaba.
The Gulf of Aqaba is a narrow and deep inlet of the Red Sea that borders four countries: Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. The Gulf hosts a remarkable diversity of coral species, with more than 200 scleractinian corals recorded1. These corals have an unusually high thermal tolerance, as they can withstand water temperature anomalies that cause severe bleaching or mortality in most hard corals elsewhere2. For example, during the 1998 global bleaching event that killed up to 90% of corals in some regions, the corals in the Gulf of Aqaba showed no signs of stress or mortality3. Scientists have suggested that the corals in the Gulf have evolved this trait due to the isolation and warmth of the basin, which exposed them to extreme temperature fluctuations over geological time.
The thermal tolerance of the corals in the Gulf of Aqaba makes them a potential source of hope for coral reef conservation in a warming world. Some researchers have proposed that these corals could be used to restore degraded reefs in other regions, or to create new reefs in areas that are suitable for coral growth but lack natural coral populations2. However, this idea also raises ethical and ecological concerns, such as the risk of introducing invasive species or diseases, or disrupting the local biodiversity and ecosystem functioning2. Moreover, transplanting corals is not a sustainable solution if the underlying causes of reef degradation are not addressed.
The coral reefs in the Gulf of Aqaba are not immune to human impacts. Despite their high resilience to thermal stress, they are still vulnerable to other factors that affect their health and survival. Some of these factors include sedimentation and nutrient pollution from coastal development and agriculture, overfishing and destructive fishing practices that reduce herbivorous fish populations and increase algal growth, coral diseases and parasites that reduce coral growth and survival, and physical damage from tourism activities such as diving and boating134. These factors can reduce the coral cover, diversity, and structural complexity of the reefs, as well as their ability to cope with future environmental changes.
To protect the coral reefs in the Gulf of Aqaba from further degradation, there is a need for coordinated and collaborative action among the four bordering countries. Several initiatives have been launched to promote scientific research, education, and awareness on the importance and uniqueness of these reefs. For example, the Red Sea Transnational Research Center is a network of academic institutions from Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland that aims to advance scientific knowledge and innovation on the Red Sea’s marine environment5. The Living Oceans Foundation is a non-profit organization that conducts scientific surveys and assessments of coral reef health and biodiversity in different regions of the Red Sea3. The Middle East Children’s Institute is a non-governmental organization that engages children and youth from different countries in environmental education and cross-cultural dialogue on marine conservation issues.
These initiatives are examples of how science and diplomacy can work together to foster cooperation and understanding among different stakeholders on a shared natural resource. The coral reefs in the Gulf of Aqaba are not only a valuable ecological asset but also a cultural and social bridge that connects people across borders. By preserving these reefs, we can also preserve their potential to inspire future generations to appreciate and protect the beauty and diversity of life on our planet.