title: Macroalgae in the coral reefs of Eilat (Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea) as a possible indicator of reef degradation.
abstract: The current state of health of the coral reefs in the northern Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea), notably the Eilat reefs, is under debate regarding both their exact condition and the causes of degradation. A dearth of earlier data and unequivocal reliable indices are the major problems hinder a clear understanding of the reef state. Our research objective was to examine coral-algal dynamics as a potential cause and an indication of reef degradation. The community structure of stony corals and algae along the northern Gulf of Aqaba reveal non-seasonal turf algae dominancy in the shallow Eilat reefs (up to 72%), while the proximate Aqaba reefs present negligible turf cover (<6%). We believe that turf dominancy can indicate degradation in these reefs, based on the reduction in essential reef components followed by proliferation of perennial turf algae. Our findings provide further evidence for the severe state of the Eilat coral reefs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69978, Israel. karnitb@gmail.com
authors.forename: Karnit
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bahartan
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zibdah
authors.forename: Yousef
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Alvaro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Israel
authors.forename: Itzchak
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Brickner
authors.forename: Avigdor
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abelson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D037421:Anthozoa; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D057894:Coral Reefs; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005843:Geography; D019156:Indian Ocean; D008386:Marine Biology; D000459:Phaeophyceae / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010781:Photography; D000461:Rhodophyta / Q000254:growth & development*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors