Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea study uncovers rich biodiversity and new species

Monday, February 12, 2024

The Saudi National Center for Wildlife spearheaded the Red Sea Decade Expedition, a pioneering exploration that has led to significant scientific breakthroughs, contributing to the publication of 77 scientific papers that reveal a host of unprecedented discoveries. These discoveries span diverse ecological systems, new species, and rare marine life, enhancing our knowledge of Saudi Arabia’s rich marine biodiversity.

Initiated by the Saudi National Center for Wildlife with the backing of the Kingdom’s forward-looking leadership, this extensive research endeavor has been a turning point in the examination of the Red Sea’s unexplored territories. It supports the national agenda for environmental preservation and biodiversity enrichment, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative.

Highlighting the expedition’s findings are the discovery of several Blue Holes with distinct ecosystems and the first identification of great white sharks in the Red Sea via DNA analysis, marking significant advancements in marine research. The detection of active thermal vents and ancient deep sea brine pools has further confirmed the presence of unique marine life in the deep sea.

The expedition has documented sharks’ extraordinary deep-diving capabilities in the Red Sea, where they navigate exceptionally deep waters, likely facilitated by the Red Sea’s unusually warm deep-sea temperatures of around 21 degrees Celsius. The discovery of a dense, resilient community of deep-sea lantern fish, thriving in low oxygen conditions, has unveiled the Red Sea’s marine ecosystem with unparalleled clarity.

Noteworthy behavioral findings include Bryde’s whales reproducing in the Red Sea, challenging previous assumptions about their migration, and dolphins using Blue Holes as sanctuaries for their young, highlighting complex marine behaviors.

Through DNA sequencing and analysis of seabed deposits, researchers have traced the region’s biological diversity changes over the last 1800 years, shedding light on its ecological history. The collection of the largest assortment of rock samples in the Red Sea has yielded critical data on geological activities that support its biological diversity.

The expedition recorded the most resilient deep-sea corals known, capable of surviving without oxygen and at temperatures up to 33 degrees Celsius. It also compiled the first Red Sea microorganism gene catalog, offering vast potential for industrial applications in various sectors.

The international team of 126 researchers from 18 countries, collaborating with institutions like KAUST, King Abdulaziz University, and OceanX, utilized state-of-the-art technology for this 19-week mission, including submarines and eDNA analysis.

In addition to scientific discovery, the team’s production of documentaries and media content has provided a fascinating glimpse into the Red Sea’s environments, offering global insights. The findings from this expedition not only enrich our understanding of environmental conditions but also lay a foundation for the sustainable management and conservation of marine habitats.

This monumental endeavor underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to scientific exploration and environmental conservation, revolutionizing our understanding of the Red Sea’s marine marvels.

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