Improving management of future coastal development in Qatar through ecosystem-based management approaches

摘要: Abstract The coastline of Qatar is a rich mosaic productive and diverse ecosystems including mangrove forests, intertidal mudflats (sabkha), seagrass beds, coral reefs. These ecologically interconnected contain substantial proportion Qatar's total biodiversity, support an estimated 97% the >US$ 67 million in annual commercial fisheries, highest value resource sector after petroleum. extreme environmental conditions that characterize has led to fauna are robust compared with other regions, but makes them highly sensitive further pressure from anthropogenic stress. vulnerable have come under increasing recent decades as result dramatic expansion coastal development, threats these likely accelerate coming years economy population continue grow. Although regulation had historically lagged behind rapid pace leadership aggressively expanded management growing awareness importance ecosystems. While improvements encouraging, remains challenged by its current sectorial, project-driven focus. Ecosystem-based (EBM) offers opportunity overcome challenges integrating impacts across all major activities multiple sectors considering their cumulative effects on ecosystem services products. EBM approach would require modest reprioritizing existing processes attention addressing deficiencies data needed decision making, it potential greatly enhance efficiency effectiveness zone management. article closes summarizing recently initiated research project reefs beds which can serve model for development Qatar.