Abstract
Given the current natural and anthropogenic threats facing Qatar's marine environment and the consequential expected decline in ecosystem services, this paper examines the potential application of the Ecosystem Services-EBM framework developed by Granek et al. (2010) to sustainably manage Qatar's coral reef and seagrass bed ecosystems. Using interviews with stakeholders and field-collected data from sixteen coral reef sites and 6 seagrass meadows as well as secondary data, the paper presents new knowledge regarding the status of these ecosystems and the benefits they provide that are most valued by stakeholders. The research identifies existing and missing ecological and socio-economic data, as well as the processes and management strategies required to implement the five-step framework within a Qatari context. Key goals for implementing EBM identified by stakeholders include: adoption of scientific planning and valuation of marine environment, contextualizing and drafting legislation, regulations and policies in support of EBM; monitoring and enforcement of laws; and, promotion of public awareness and engagement. The article concludes with recommendations for filling remaining data gaps and highlights opportunities available to Qatar to become a leader in implementing EBM. These include maximizing the increasing role that stakeholders can play in mitigating further decline of the country's coastal ecosystems and leveraging mega events planned in Qatar, such as FIFA World Cup 2022.
Highlights
The Persian/Arabian Gulf (PAG) is bordered by eight nations that have undergone dramatic economic transformation since the oil boom of the 1970s (Spiess, 2008)
Given the current natural and anthropogenic threats facing Qatar’s marine environment and the consequential expected decline in ecosystem services, this paper examines the potential application of the Ecosystem Services-Ecosystem-based management (EBM) framework developed by Granek et al (2010) to sustainably manage Qatar’s coral reefs and seagrass beds ecosystems
We highlight the current data available in Qatar to apply each step of the Ecosystem Services-EBM framework, the data gaps that still need to be filled in order for the process to be meaningfully applied and discuss possible strategies for moving forward
Summary
The Persian/Arabian Gulf (PAG) is bordered by eight nations that have undergone dramatic economic transformation since the oil boom of the 1970s (Spiess, 2008). Given the current natural and anthropogenic threats facing Qatar’s marine environment and the consequential expected decline in ecosystem services, this paper examines the potential application of the Ecosystem Services-EBM framework developed by Granek et al (2010) to sustainably manage Qatar’s coral reefs and seagrass beds ecosystems. Using both field collected and secondary data, it identifies existing and missing ecological and socio-economic data, as well as the processes and management strategies required to implement the five-step framework within a Qatari context. The article concludes with recommendations for filling remaining data gaps and a discussion on the increasing role that stakeholders can play in mitigating further decline of the country’s coastal ecosystems and the services they provide
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
