The Academic Chair of the late His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in the field of environmental sciences, hosted a lecture organized by the Center for Environmental and Life Studies at the Arabian Gulf University, which discussed the issue of microbial communities associated with coral reefs in the Arabian Gulf, and the vital role that these communities play in the marine ecosystem and the health of coral reefs in the GCC countries.
The lecture was presented by Shadi Amin, Professor of Biology at New York University Abu Dhabi, who specializes in ocean biology and marine chemistry, stressing that microbial populations consist of beneficial and harmful microorganisms, and their impact on the environment is determined by the balance existing between these species. He explained that this balance represents an essential factor in the stability of ecosystems, whether in humans, animals, plants or marine organisms.
He reviewed the results of the latest research studies that showed the presence of multiple types of bacteria associated with coral reefs, indicating that the proportions of these types vary depending on environmental conditions, most notably temperature. He also explained that coral reefs are at their best when certain types of beneficial bacteria predominate in the microbial population at low temperatures, as these bacteria contribute to the production of hormones necessary for the life of coral reefs.
He said: “Rising temperatures lead to a decrease in the number of beneficial bacteria as a result of their devouring by other types of harmful bacteria that increase in those conditions, which negatively affects the health of coral reefs and their environmental stability,” stressing the importance of maintaining the microbial balance in marine environments, and supporting research that aims to understand the relationships between microorganisms and coral reefs, especially in light of the climate changes and rising water temperatures that the Arabian Gulf has witnessed in recent years.
In this context, it is noteworthy that the Arabian Gulf University has hosted the academic chair of the late His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in the field of environmental sciences since the academic year 1997-1998, as the chair was concerned with issues of desert and arid land sciences, in addition to biological diversity and wildlife.
