title: The continuing decline of coral reefs in Bahrain.
abstract: Historically coral reefs of Bahrain were among the most extensive in the southern basin of the Arabian Gulf. However, Bahrain's reefs have undergone significant decline in the last four decades as a result of large-scale coastal development and elevated sea surface temperature events. Here we quantitatively surveyed six sites including most major coral reef habitats around Bahrain and a reef located 72 km offshore. Fleshy and turf algae now dominate Bahrain's reefs (mean: 72% cover), and live coral cover is low (mean: 5.1%). Formerly dominant Acropora were not observed at any site. The offshore Bulthama reef had the highest coral cover (16.3%) and species richness (22 of the 23 species observed, 13 of which were exclusive to this site). All reefs for which recent and historical data are available show continued degradation, and it is unlikely that they will recover under continuing coastal development and projected climate change impacts.
authors.affiliation: Biology, New York University-Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. John.Burt@nyu.edu
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Burt
authors.forename: Khalifa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Al-Khalifa
authors.forename: Ebtesam
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Khalaf
authors.forename: Bassem
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Alshuwaikh
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abdulwahab
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D037421:Anthozoa / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development*; D001445:Bahrain; D057231:Climate Change; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D057894:Coral Reefs; D004784:Environmental Monitoring