Ecological Baseline Survey: North of Ras Laffan to South of Ar Ruwais - Coastal & Marine Zone

Abstract

Abstract Qatar has experienced great change in its infrastructure, continuous upgrading of its major industrial cities, of its network of roads and highways and major construction and development along its coastline in particular the eastern coastline. These activities can all have an impact on the marine life and terrestrial wildlife, vegetation and floristic composition. One strip of coastline on the north-eastern section of Qatar remains in parts virgin land and the coastal zone is considered a least impacted zone. A baseline survey was commissioned to record all physical/chemical and biological data of the Qatar marine zone. This survey, representing field data collected between February and April 2010, encompassed a 35km long stretch of coastline and extended 20km offshore and as far inland as 1km, it also included Umm Tais Island and Al Jasasiya. The seabed and the water body were documented by video photography. Fish population was studied by deployment of fish nets. Mangrove forests were studied i...