Marine Molluscs in Nearshore Habitats of the United Arab Emirates: Decadal Changes and Species of Public Health Significance

Grizzle, Raymond E.; Bricelj, V. Monica; Alshihi, Rashid; Ward, Krystin M.; Anderson, Donald M.

doi:10.2112/jcoastres-d-17-00119.1

Cited by 7 publications

References 46 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

Oyster Beds and Reefs of the United Arab Emirates

Bejarano,

Mateos-Molina,

Knuteson

et al. 2023

A Natural History of the Emirates

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Oyster habitats in the United Arab Emirates are highly diverse marine ecosystems with fascinating historical cultural and fisheries importance for pearls, but also for provisioning local people with food and materials for direct consumption and income. Their hard structure protects coastal areas and human populations and their assets, while their strong filtering activity promotes clean waters and healthy and productive marine ecosystems. Oyster habitats in the UAE occur on both the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman coasts. They form oyster beds and oyster reefs and are distributed across coastal and offshore areas. These oyster habitats support hundreds of marine species that include valuable commercial species such as hamours (groupers), emperors (Lethrinidae), and snappers (Lutjanidae). The water quality in oyster ecosystems of Sharjah, Ajman and Umm al Quwain reflects good environmental conditions, yet the presence of microplastics in the sediment and oyster tissue evidence some pollution. Phytoplankton in these areas is diverse and includes several harmful algal bloom species. The current status and extent of oyster habitats in the UAE is known only for some emirates, but there is local scientific and management interest in addressing this gap for the conservation and restoration of these valuable habitats for the nation.

show abstract

Oyster Beds and Reefs of the United Arab Emirates

Bejarano,

Mateos-Molina,

Knuteson

et al. 2023

A Natural History of the Emirates

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Mangrove Ecosystems of the United Arab Emirates

Friis,

Killilea

2023

A Natural History of the Emirates

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Gray mangroves (Avicennia marina) represent the only evergreen forests of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where they occur at the northern edge of the species’ range and are subject to extreme environmental conditions. Mangroves occur both throughout the western and eastern coasts of the seven Emirates, either in natural or restored populations. They act as ecosystem engineers, creating a habitat that is exploited by a wide variety of organisms, including species of conservation concern. As the only mangrove species of the Arabian Gulf, the gray mangroves represent a relevant asset for local communities. They provide numerous ecosystem services of cultural and socioeconomic importance, from their aesthetics and recreational uses in urban spaces to their role as carbon sinks or nursery habitats for species targeted for commercial fishing. Thanks to successful afforestation programs, the UAE mangroves are experiencing a steady recovery after severe cover losses resulting from the intense urban development that followed the 1970s oil boom, and nowadays they represent more than half of the total mangrove cover in the Arabian Gulf. However, national mangrove forests still face considerable threats derived from human activities. Active, long-term policies and management will be needed to ensure the survivorship of these critical ecosystems.

show abstract