Impact of human activity on marine habitats along the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia

Transgression on marine habitats (seagrass beds, coral reefs and mangrove stands) along the Jeddah coast and adjacent lagoons, owing to increased human activity, resulted in regression, degeneration or substitution of plant and animal communities.The effect of organic and thermal pollution on benthic life is examined. A need for baseline studies on such habitats is stressed for the identification and conservation of endangered biota.