Our research revealed a diverse and dynamic coral reef ecosystem across the Saudi Arabian Red Sea. The highest live coral cover was observed in the Farasan Banks (nearly 30%), while areas like Ras Al-Qasabah had lower coral cover, possibly due to past disturbances such as coral bleaching, disease, or crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks. Despite signs of degradation in some areas, we found evidence of recovery, including widespread coral recruitment and healthy juvenile colonies.

We also documented rich benthic habitats—including seagrass beds, algal flats, mangroves, and fringing reefs—especially in the northern-central regions like Al Wajh and Yanbu. However, fish surveys revealed that top predators such as sharks and large groupers were rare, suggesting overfishing pressures even in remote areas.

One of the most important outcomes of this research was a groundbreaking resilience model developed using our habitat maps and field data. This model helps identify reef areas with high ecological resilience, which is critical for guiding marine protected area (MPA) design and adaptive management. For example, reefs in the Farasan Banks were found to be among the most resilient in the region, making them strong candidates for conservation focus.