KAUST and The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) collaborated to release two Hawksbill sea turtles, named Amal and Hayat, near Al Wakati island. KAUST alumna Royale Hardenstine and TRSDC's Khalid Aldahlawi lead the initiative and train local volunteers as environmental stewards. The work is a collaboration between TRSDC, KAUST and Fakeeh Aquarium. Why it matters: This initiative highlights the growing focus on environmental preservation and biodiversity conservation efforts in Saudi Arabia, leveraging local expertise and international collaboration.
Extreme E racing series is collaborating with KAUST and the Ba'a Foundation to conserve endangered turtles in Saudi Arabia. Rising sea levels have led to a 90% mortality rate of turtle eggs in 2019, threatening the already endangered species. The collaboration aims to protect turtle nesting sites along the Red Sea coastline. Why it matters: This initiative highlights the potential for partnerships between sports, academia, and conservation organizations to address climate change impacts on vulnerable ecosystems in the region.
KAUST researchers, partnering with the Queensland Government, discovered 34 previously unknown seagrass meadows in the Red Sea by tracking the foraging behavior of green turtles. They tagged and tracked 53 turtles, revealing that the turtles were approximately 20 times more reliable at identifying seagrass meadows compared to the Allen Coral Atlas. This method also proved to be significantly more cost-effective than traditional methods like airplanes with hyperspectral sensors. Why it matters: This study highlights a novel, cost-effective approach to mapping blue carbon ecosystems, crucial for carbon capture and marine habitat preservation, and provides valuable data for sustainability policies in the Red Sea region.
KAUST researchers, in collaboration with WHOI, studied whale shark movement patterns near the Shib Habil reef in the Red Sea over six years using visual census, acoustic monitoring, and satellite telemetry. The study monitored 84 sharks and found the aggregation to be highly seasonal, with sharks most abundant in April and May, returning yearly. The site may serve as a nursery for the wider Indian Ocean population, attracting juvenile females, which is unique to Shib Habil. Why it matters: Understanding whale shark behavior and critical habitats like Shib Habil is vital for future conservation efforts of this endangered species in the Red Sea and the broader Indian Ocean.
KAUST doctoral student Royale Hardenstine is conducting whale shark research in the Red Sea. The research is captured in a video produced by KAUST. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's ongoing research efforts in marine biology and Red Sea ecosystems.
KAUST alumna Dr. Royale Hardenstine (Ph.D. '20, MS '15) is studying the movements and behavior of marine animals in the Red Sea, including whale sharks. Her Ph.D. research showed the connectivity of Red Sea whale sharks to the larger Indo-Pacific population and movements between aggregation sites. Now working as Protected Species Science Manager at The Red Sea Development Company, she monitors marine life in the Kingdom's future Special Economic Zones. Why it matters: This research is crucial for informing conservation efforts and mitigating the impact of coastal development on vulnerable marine species in the Red Sea.
KAUST researchers and international collaborators tagged 15 Chilean devil rays in the Atlantic, revealing unexpected deep-diving behavior. The tags recorded dives reaching almost 2,000 meters at speeds of 6 meters per second and temperatures below 4 degrees Celsius. The rays exhibited two distinct diving patterns, including long periods at 1,000 meters and stepwise returns to the surface, possibly for thermoregulation. Why it matters: This research challenges previous assumptions about devil ray behavior and highlights KAUST's contribution to marine biology and understanding of ocean ecosystems.
KAUST researchers developed a hybrid wireless communication system for non-invasive monitoring of marine animals, consisting of a lightweight, flexible, Bluetooth-enabled tag that stores sensor data underwater. The tag syncs data to floating receivers when the animal surfaces, which then relays the data via GSM or drones. The system is a collaboration between the Red Sea Research Center and KAUST's electrical engineering department. Why it matters: This technology provides researchers with detailed, near real-time data about marine animals, overcoming the limitations of invasive and impractical traditional tagging methods.