Coral Reef and Mangrove Protection

The preliminary environmental survey for the KAUST site identified two sensitive marine habitats on the development site – the Coral Reefs and Mangroves. In keeping with environmental protection goals of the project and resolutions made by Saudi Arabia when it signed the National Commission on Wildlife Conservation and Development, the KAUST site plan was developed to protect these sensitive habitats and avoid habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity. In addition to development limits, KAUST has developed a comprehensive storm water management plan and construction erosion and sedimentation plan to avoid pollution of the existing habitats.

The Red Sea coral reefs are especially sensitive to environmental change, and the KAUST campus will be constructed in a manner that preserves this marine ecosystem, including the use of safe dredging practices.

Coral Reefs

Called the “rainforests of the sea,” coral reefs represent one of the most magnificent, diverse, and productive marine habitats on the planet. The extraordinary diversity of reefs makes them as biologically important as rainforests. Coral reefs are a diverse collection of organisms that interact with each other and the physical environment. They are considered one of the most sensitive marine habitats to any change; however, they appear to be able to recover effectively from physical disturbance or temporary pollution events provided the water quality is generally high. The coral reef offshore of the proposed KAUST site is irreplaceable and, as such, the reef area will not be developed. The coral reef will also be protected from the introduction of pollutants such as sewage and industrial wastes during the construction and operation of KAUST.

Mangroves

Mangroves play an important ecological role as habitat for various species of marine vertebrates and invertebrates as well as other wildlife, including mammals, birds, and reptiles; as shoreline stabilization and storm protection; for water quality protection and maintenance; and as food-web support. Mangroves trap, hold, and stabilize inter-tidal sediments. Mangroves also prevent erosion due to easy seedling transport, quick aerial root production, underground root systems which increase sediment-holding capabilities, high tolerance to cold temperatures, and good ability to inhabit artificial sites (dredge, fill, etc.).

During extreme storms and hurricanes, mangrove forests protect landward coastal areas by mitigating damage from waves, currents, and winds. A variety of organisms utilize mangrove habitats, including many marine species which inhabit the underwater prop root complex and tidal channels. Most fish and shellfish caught commercially and by recreational means utilize mangrove habitat at some point in their life cycle. In addition to the marine organisms, both land animals and birds utilize the mangrove forest floor, root complex and canopy. Mangrove roots are extremely susceptible to clogging as well as prolonged flooding and damage due to boring organisms; therefore, construction managers have avoided increased inclusion of particles and matter into mangrove waters during construction and the operation of KAUST.