title: Critical research needs for identifying future changes in Gulf coral reef ecosystems.
abstract: Expert opinion was assessed to identify current knowledge gaps in determining future changes in Arabian/Persian Gulf (thereafter 'Gulf') coral reefs. Thirty-one participants submitted 71 research questions that were peer-assessed in terms of scientific importance (i.e., filled a knowledge gap and was a research priority) and efficiency in resource use (i.e., was highly feasible and ecologically broad). Ten research questions, in six major research areas, were highly important for both understanding Gulf coral reef ecosystems and also an efficient use of limited research resources. These questions mirrored global evaluations of the importance of understanding and evaluating biodiversity, determining the potential impacts of climate change, the role of anthropogenic impacts in structuring coral reef communities, and economically evaluating coral reef communities. These questions provide guidance for future research on coral reef ecosystems within the Gulf, and enhance the potential for assessment and management of future changes in this globally significant region.
authors: School of the Environment, University of Technology, Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007, Australia. david.feary@uts.edu.au
authors: David A
authors: DA
authors: Feary
authors: John A
authors: JA
authors: Burt
authors: Andrew G
authors: AG
authors: Bauman
authors: Shaker
authors: S
authors: Al Hazeem
authors: Mohamed A
authors: MA
authors: Abdel-Moati
authors: Khalifa A
authors: KA
authors: Al-Khalifa
authors: Donald M
authors: DM
authors: Anderson
authors: Carl
authors: C
authors: Amos
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Baker
authors: Aaron
authors: A
authors: Bartholomew
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Bento
authors: Geórgenes H
authors: GH
authors: Cavalcante
authors: Chaolun Allen
authors: CA
authors: Chen
authors: Steve L
authors: SL
authors: Coles
authors: Koosha
authors: K
authors: Dab
authors: Ashley M
authors: AM
authors: Fowler
authors: David
authors: D
authors: George
authors: Edwin
authors: E
authors: Grandcourt
authors: Ross
authors: R
authors: Hill
authors: David M
authors: DM
authors: John
authors: David A
authors: DA
authors: Jones
authors: Shashank
authors: S
authors: Keshavmurthy
authors: Huda
authors: H
authors: Mahmoud
authors: Mahdi
authors: M
authors: Moradi Och Tapeh
authors: Pargol Ghavam
authors: PG
authors: Mostafavi
authors: Humood
authors: H
authors: Naser
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Pichon
authors: Sam
authors: S
authors: Purkis
authors: Bernhard
authors: B
authors: Riegl
authors: Kaveh
authors: K
authors: Samimi-Namin
authors: Charles
authors: C
authors: Sheppard
authors: Jahangir
authors: J
authors: Vajed Samiei
authors: Christian R
authors: CR
authors: Voolstra
authors: Joerg
authors: J
authors: Wiedenmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D037421:Anthozoa / Q000254:growth & development; D044822:Biodiversity; D057231:Climate Change; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D057894:Coral Reefs; D005544:Forecasting; D019156:Indian Ocean; D012106:Research
keywords: Arabian Gulf; Assessment; Coral Reefs; Expert; Persian Gulf; Research Gap
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