Marine Biology
The biology cluster has a number of areas of specialized research disciplines:
The Turtle Conservation Project No: GC14106100
The group is working closely with Qatar Petroleum and the Ministry of Environment on the "Conservation and Monitoring of the IUCN Red listed Hawksbill Turtle in Qatar". The project involves the close monitoring of several coastal sites; Fuwairit, Al-Ghariyah, Ras-Laffan and Al-Maroona, nearshore islands of; Ras Rakkan, Sheraouh and Umm Tais, and the offshore island of Halul.
The turtle nesting activity is carefully recorded at each site. If the team encounters a live nesting event, then the turtle undergoes a scientific data collection procedure which involves collecting morphometric measurements, taking DNA tissue samples, fitting identification tags and satellite tracking devices.
When the nesting season is completed the hatching of nests is closely observed with morphometric measurements being collected for the hatchling turtles. The nest is excavated to record the number of un-hatched eggs and access the success rate of rate of the hatching.
Taxonomic Identification
The cluster is currently in the process of creating an extensive cataloged and characterized marine biological collection of flora and fauna endemic to the region. It is envisaged that this biological bank of specimens will provide a valuable reference resource for future studies.
The biology cluster has particular expertise in the field of marine taxonomy. Dr. Giraldes and Dr. Al-Maslamani are skilled carcinologists and have an excellent working knowledge of other marine benthic organisms.
The cluster also has an excellent team of taxonomic laboratory technicians who have considerable experience in the identification of the Gulfs marine flora and fauna. Biology team members have recently been trained in the identification and classification of sponge species and are the only group of qualified porifera taxonomists in the Gulf region.
Oyster stock assessment, associated, biodiversity and restoration program
The biology cluster has also started the initial investigations into the current status of the “Pearl Oyster” Pinctada radiata. The group has completed the first two phases of the program by investigating the intertidal biodiversity of P. radiata assemblages around the coast of Qatar and the findings are currently in-press with the scientific journal with “Marine Ecology”. There has also been a biological cruise undertaken which carried out an investigation into P. radiata offshore beds and their associated fauna. This produced an immense amount of biological material for identification and this work is currently being processed.
The second phase of the program will start in October and will include:
- P. radiata stock assessments of the coastal and offshore assemblages
- Evaluation of the “Current Conservational Status” (as per JNCC criteria) of P. radiata in Qatari waters.
- Pilot trial studies in P. radiata stock augmentation and habitat restoration.
Mangrove Studies in collaboration with Bangor University Wales
The biology group is currently investigating the ecological processes underlying ecosystem function in arid mangroves in association with Bangor University. This is an extensive piece of research into the unique ecosystem functions provided to the inter-site and intra-site biological communities of the mangrove habitats in Qatar. The project is the preliminary stages and the work is currently on-going.
Cytogenetic
The biology group also has the services of one of the leading experts in Cytogenetic research Dr. Alexandra Leitão-Ben Hamadou who up until recently has been working as a PI on the collaborative research project between ESC-QU and Maersk Oil-RTC: “Genotoxic components in the marine environment. Monitoring and impact assessment”. This project is now coming to an end and Dr Leitão-Ben Hamadou will be developing a new marine ecotoxicology laboratory in which several colaborative research studies will be conducted.
