Identification and study health status of coral reefs in Chabahar Bay (Oman Sea)

Abstract

For identify and study of coral reefs in Chabahar Bay, field study started after four coral stations were chosen in 2008 and was conducted in three stages by the end of the year. For investigating the status of coral cover; eight main factors were considered. LIT method elected in two depths of 2-3m, and 5-8m. Finally, 20 hard coral species of 14 geneses and 9 families and one soft coral species were identified. The most species were belonged to Faviidae families. Favia favus, F. mattahi, Platygyra daedalea and Siderastrea savignyana observed in all stations. Station (4) had lowest species. The highest percentage of live coral cover in 2-3m depth with 35% was observed in station 3 and the highest dead coral was seen in station 1. In 5-8m depth, stations 1 & 2 had the highest live corals and highest dead corals were observed in station 2. The DI and CI indexes in 2-3m depth the highest stress (- 0.28)
was observed in station4 and development and growth status was very weak (- 0.75). Station 3 in term of DI and CI indexes had a good status. In 5-8m depth, station 4 has no corals ecosystem and also on index results this habitat is not suitable for corals development and growth. In this depth, stations 1 and 2 had good condition and stress rate.