Understanding the exceptional heat tolerance of reef corals from the Persian/Arabian Gulf

Shallow water coral reefs are on decline at a global scale and are expected to be lost within this century. The increasing frequency and intensity of heat stress episodes have been identified as the major threat to reefs survival. The impact of high temperature on corals can be exacerbated by regional factors such as pollution of coastal seawater. In the Persian/Arabian Gulf (hereafter: "the Gulf") corals are exposed to elevated salinity levels and unusual nutrient concentrations. At the same time, they endure extreme temperature maxima that would kill corals elsewhere on the planet. Despite the crucial role of the lipid composition of zooxanthellae in defining the susceptibility of reef corals to heat stress, the specific lipid signature characterising the symbionts of Gulf corals is as yet completely unexplored. The proposed study will address this knowledge gap by applying a mass spectrometric (MS) approach to compare the lipid profiles of zooxanthellae from Gulf corals flourishing in an extreme temperature habitat (Abu Dhabi, UAE) with those of conspecifics that experience typical tropical conditions in the Indo/South Pacific (Hoga Island, Fiji). We will analyse samples from the two field sites collected at different seasons over a year. In parallel, we will monitor changes in the physicochemical environment over the same period. This strategy will identify key differences in the quantitative / qualitative lipid composition of zooxanthellae associated with coral survival at high temperature and with the dynamic response to changes in environmental conditions. We will use our established laboratory strains of Porites lobata originating from the Gulf and the Pacific to examine how altered temperature, nutrient concentrations and salinity individually affect the lipid complement of zooxanthellae. The experiments under controlled conditions will allow us to test our hypothesis that the unique physicochemical environment of the Gulf promotes thermotolerance of corals by altering the lipid composition of zooxanthellae. The comparative approach of this project will be enabled by the highly complementary expertise of the participating scientists (coral physiology/molecular biology/biochemistry; lipid biology/mass spectrometry & biogeochemistry). The project will benefit from excellent project partners (Burt, Voolstra, Suggett, Smith) that provide substantial in-kind contributions and from the support of a large international consortium of stakeholders from academia, industry, governmental and non-governmental organizations concerned with the coral ecosystems of the Gulf.

The outcomes of the proposed research will facilitate the prediction of the adaptability of reef corals to global warming and is of global significance for governmental policy makers and various non-governmental organisations involved in reef conservation. In particular, the results of the study will underline the importance of the Persian / Arabian Gulf coral communities as unique examples of stress resilient corals, making a strong case in support of their rigorous conservation. Increased efforts are indeed required to protect these corals ecosystems for the future and save them for a sustainable exploitation by the local population, as a reservoir of exceptional genetic material and as a natural laboratory for a broad scientific community. The key activity to increase the impact of the proposed study is the establishment of a "Mideast Coral Reef Society" with the aim to improve the knowledge exchange between representatives of academia, industry / private sector, governmental and non-governmental organisations. The impact activity will create a web-based framework that promotes the constituting activities and knowledge exchange during the early phase of the association. Furthermore, the support will help the development into a self sustained organisation, either as independent group or integrated into an existing organisation such as the International Society of Coral Reef Studies (ISRS).
The initiative for the Mideast Coral Reef Society was jointly presented by the PI and Prof. John Burt from the New York University Abu Dhabi as part of the pilot work undertaken for this project and received strong support from local and international stakeholders from the above-mentioned sectors. At present, over 50 representatives from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iran, Jordan, Egypt, Oman, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Dubai, Australia, USA, Canada, Germany, Russia, UK, India and Taiwan expressed their support for the initiative (see attached letter of support).
Climate change, especially the warming of the oceans, is a pressing problem for human societies. The loss of coral reefs and their biodiversity is predicted to occur within the next 100 years and will have major social, economic and political consequences for reef dependent populations. Coral reefs have an iconic status among the general public, who are increasingly aware of their key status among the biologically most diverse ecosystems and their importance for humanity. The concern about the potential loss of the reefs is correspondingly high.
We will address these concerns and engage the general public by a series of outreach activities and inform about the concept of our work, the progress and the results via oral presentations, internet publications, and print media.