UNSPECIFIED (1993) THE GULF - ITS BIOLOGICAL SETTING. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN, 27 . pp. 9-15. ISSN 0025-326X

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Abstract

The Gulf's biological character is briefly reviewed to provide a background to the main habitats and their condition, for the papers in this Special Issue. The Gulf's marine resources are described in the context of possible environmental consequences of the 1991 Gulf War. While emphasis is given to living resources, in particular ecosystems and fisheries, non-living resources are also briefly considered (e.g. oil and gas), as is availability of clean seawater for production of fresh water. The focus is on the western and Arabian coasts; the eastern (Iranian) coast remains one of the least known in the world in biological terms. Of the subtidal ecosystems, coral reefs are the most diverse. They are highly productive, but cover only a small area and so are of relatively minor importance in a regional sense. Seagrasses are common in shallow areas (< 10 m), forming the basis of many food chains. At least four seagrass species are known for the region, but most communities are dominated by Halodule uninervis. Seagrasses are also an important habitat for commercial shrimp (e.g. Penaeus semisulcatus), pearl oysters and many other organisms. Mudflats occupy extensive areas of the intertidal zone. Their productivity is often enhanced by Cyanophya-dominated algal mats. Naturally occurring mangroves are found in association with tidal flats and are represented by a single species, Avicennia marina. Mangroves are much less extensive in the Gulf (125-130 km2) than the Red Sea (400-500 km2). Of major regional and global importance are the Gulf's fisheries, particularly for penaeid shrimp (eg. P. semisulcatus), but also for groupers, jacks and spanish mackerel. Fauna important to conservation issues include sea birds, green and hawksbill turtles and dugongs.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
Journal or Publication Title:	MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
Publisher:	PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
ISSN:	0025-326X
Date:	1993
Volume:	27
Number of Pages:	7
Page Range:	pp. 9-15
Publication Status:	Published
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/20887

Data sourced from Thomson Reuters' Web of Knowledge

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