UAE coral reefs studied by researchers - in pictures

John Burt, associate professor of biology at New York University Abu Dhabi, has studied the region’s seas for the past 15 years. Photo: Joerg Wiedenmann
Table coral, such as the kind seen on the top left in Ghantoot, are among the heat-sensitive Acropora species. Photo: John Burt
Researchers from NYU Abu Dhabi are looking for clues that could one day help coral reefs around the world survive the onslaught of global warming. Photo: John Burt
John Burt using a pneumatic drill to install coral monitoring equipment on the sea-bottom at Ras Ghanada reef in Ghantoot, UAE. Photo: John Burt
A scientist collects samples from a coral reef in Abu Dhabi, which scientists say have suffered a 'catastrophic event' because of warming waters. Photo: John Burt
In 2017, John Burt, associate professor of biology at NYU Abu Dhabi calculated that 73 per cent of corals across all of the southern Gulf were lost. Reem Mohammed / The National
John Burt studied the corals from the Gulf waters for the far-reaching global report on warming waters and their affect on coral reefs. Reem Mohammed / The National
High sea temperatures cause coral to bleach and die. Reem Mohammed / The National