A collaboration between KAUST and UK institutes has revealed that surface currents play a crucial role in gene flow across the Red Sea, a discovery with significant implications for marine conservation and management.

Led by KAUST Professor Ibrahim Hoteit, the team used satellite imagery and simulations to explore how currents shape the Red Sea ecosystem. Their analysis of surface water color and height, combined with chlorophyll concentrations, revealed how currents facilitate the transport of biological material. The study found significant variability in the Red Sea's eddies, influencing the dispersal of particles across the basin.

The research showed that the central Red Sea is well-connected, while the southern region experiences limited connectivity. By comparing these findings with genetic data from Red Sea clownfish, the team confirmed that water circulation patterns strongly influence the distribution of populations.

This work provides a cost-effective method to estimate connectivity in marine ecosystems, which can guide the designation of marine protected areas and coastal management efforts. "Our goal is to understand the main pathways of connectivity in the Red Sea and identify the most important source reefs," says Hoteit.

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