Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Spatial And Temporal Variations In Abundance And Composition Of Benthic Macrofauna Associated With Seagrass Beds In Abu Dhabi, Maitha Mohamed Al Hameli

Biology Theses

This study compared the seasonal variations of macrofaunal communities found within the seagrass beds of protected areas and non-protected areas in Abu Dhabi. The study took into consideration the spatial and temporal differences of the sites and seasons as well as other environmental factors, like trace metals concentrations, water temperature, sediment composition, salinity and pH. The main objective and aim of this study is to investigate changes in the community structure of macrofauna with changes in location and seasons. Environmental parameters and biological samples were collected in-situ and analyzed at UAEU labs from both sites, during both seasons (winter and …

A Study Of Environmental Factors Affecting Coral Species Growth In Western Region Of Abu Dhabi – Uae And The Arabian Gulf, Khulood Ahmed Eissa Al Ali

Biology Theses

This study aims to investigate possible effects of certain environmental factors particularly, high summer water temperature and increase of water salinity on the growth rate of endemic dominant coral species at the west coasts of the United Arab Emirates. The study investigated the dissolved trace elements concentrations and its relation to coral diseases.

The methodological investigations have been conducted in a defined two sites at Baraka and Al Saadiyat area. In Barakah, three quadrates of 1.0 m3 have monitored the growth of Porites harrisoni by both photographically as well as by direct measurements of the targeted coral colonies in each …

Analysis Of Genetic Variation Of Western And Eastern Populations Of Socotra Cormorant (Phalacrocorax Nigrogularis) In The Uae, Salama Rashed Al Mansouri

Biology Theses

Understanding the genetic structure of threatened and endangered species is important in management and conservation efforts. Measuring the pattern and scale of genetic variation within and among populations is important for understanding population dynamics. It helps us improve our understanding of the ecological and genetic relation between the populations. The current research looks at the population structure of the endemic seabird of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Socotra cormorant (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis). The lack of genetic information, increased threats, and small breeding habitats of the Socotra cormorants, makes it important to investigate the genetic population structure in the …

Gst Detoxifying Enzymes And Pyrethroid Insecticide Resistance Evaluation In The Red Palm Weevil In The Uae, Nasra Said Al Waheibi

Biology Theses

The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is an important date palm tree insect pest in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the world. It causes severe damage to the date palm tree in the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This insect entered the UAE in 1986 and since then it has been the most economic pest in the country. Larva is the damaging stage, which is concealed inside the tree trunk; a factor that makes early detection very difficult. Infested trees become weaker over time and can be easily broken by wind. Several chemical insecticides …

Honeybees In The Uae: Diseases, Associated Microbial Communities, And Parasitic Varroa Mites, Maitha Saif Abdullah Alshamsi

Biology Theses

Apis mellifera honeybees are the most important pollinator worldwide. Numerous diseases and parasites are causing the decreasing numbers of the A. mellifera honeybee. The main objective of this thesis was to study the A. mellifera honeybee pathogens and parasites along with the Varroa destructor mite. The study included (1) Studying bacterial communities associated with A. mellifera and A. florea in the UAE. (2) Conducting a molecular detection of A. mellifera honeybee pathogens in the UAE. (3) Studying Varroa mites and Varroa-associated pathogen in the UAE. DNA and RNA were extracted from A. mellifera honeybees and V. destructor mites. Subsequently, …

Two-Dimension Magnetotelluric Data Inversion Of Al-Mubazzarah Area (Al-Ain, Uae), Sadieh Mirza Khosravi

Biology Theses

Magnetotelluric (MT) is a geophysical technique that utilizes the naturally existing electromagnetic fields to study the electrical substructure of the Earth. The key role of MT in geothermal exploration is to detect and delineate geothermal resources and to locate the exploitable reservoirs through which hot fluids at depth can be extracted. A well-known hot spring in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is located in the Al-Mubazzarah area, Al Ain city. The MT method is used to study the electrical conductivity distribution beneath the Al-Mubazzarah area. This study focuses on the characterization of the subsurface electrical features and the geological structures …

The Development Of A Health, Safety And Environment Management System For An Integrated Gender Separated Campus In The Middle East Region – A Case Study, Fatima Sbait Salmeen Al Wahshi

Biology Theses

In recent years, concerns regarding health, safety, and environmental issues increased. This led to the development of integrated Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Management Systems in many organizations, including universities. The study of the current HSE management system of the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) has been conducted as a typical National university in the Middle East Region with the added unique feature of a large integrated campus with gender separation. Emphasis has been given to the E-shared laboratories of the UAEU as the interface between the two sides (male/female) of the campus. The E-shared laboratories incorporate most of the …

The Effects Of Socotra Cormorant Nesting Activities On Terrestrial Invertebrates Diversity And Abundance, Hiba Obaid Darwish Alshehhi

Biology Theses

Seabirds breed on off-shore islands or cliffs often in large aggregations during their 2- 6 month breeding seasons. During this period, seabirds perform an important role in the allochthonous transport of marine nutrients into these terrestrial environments. Depending on the size and density of these aggregations, the impact could be alteration of soil chemistry, vegetation or invertebrate diversity and distribution patterns, primarily through the deposition of large quantities of guano. We studied the impact of breeding aggregations of the Socotra Cormorants (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis) on Siniya Island, Umm Al Quwain, United Arab Emirates, typically ranging between 26,000 to 41,000 breeding pairs. …

Rising Temperatures In Hot Regions – How Many Species Would Be Able To Survive?, Sounak Ghosh

Biology Theses

Temperatures are rising throughout the world but not uniformly. Different latitudes have varying degrees of temperature rise and the most rapid changes are happening in the higher northern latitudes while only minor warming is taking place in the hot tropical regions. It has been widely assumed that the biggest ecological impacts will be seen in the cooler northern latitudes and that the impacts in hot tropical regions will be much smaller. However, if species in hot regions are already close to their thermal limits and if species in cold regions are far below them, it may be that small temperature …