KAUST at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan
Presenting Saudi Arabia’s coral reef restoration initiative at Expo 2025 Osaka offers a unique opportunity to showcase cutting-edge scientific work on a global stage. This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and underscores the nation's commitment to environmental sustainability and scientific innovation. By participating in Expo 2025, Saudi Arabia not only highlights its advancements in marine conservation but also fosters international collaboration and knowledge exchange in addressing global ecological challenges.
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Coral reefs are vital ecosystems that support a diverse range of marine life, protect coastlines from erosion, and contribute to the global economy through tourism and fisheries. However, they are increasingly threatened by climate change, pollution, and overfishing. The need to restore corals has never been more urgent, as these ecosystems face the risk of disappearing within our lifetime. Restoration efforts, such as coral planting and innovative solutions like 3D-printed reef structures, are essential to help revive these underwater wonders, ensuring their survival for future generations and maintaining the delicate balance of our oceans.
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"The most single revelatory three minutes was the first time I put on scuba gear and dived on a coral reef," Sir David Attenborough
Corals on Display - KSA Pavilion
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Acropora spp.:
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A fast-growing, reef-building corals that play a critical role in maintaining reef structure and biodiversity in tropical oceans. However, they are among the most vulnerable to environmental stressors such as ocean warming, acidification, pollution, and disease.​ Acropora spp. are found in both Japan and Saudi Arabia, playing important ecological roles in each region’s coral reef systems.
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Over the past few decades, populations of Acropora corals have experienced significant declines—some species have lost over 80% of their cover in certain regions, particularly in the Caribbean and Indo-Pacific. This rapid degradation has led to many Acropora species being listed as threatened or endangered by the IUCN, highlighting the urgent need for targeted conservation and restoration efforts.
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Pectinia lactuca:
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Commonly known as lettuce coral, is a large, leafy coral species found in shallow reef environments across the Indo-Pacific. Known for its ruffled, lettuce-like structure, it contributes to reef complexity and provides habitat for various marine organisms.
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P.lactuca is present in the Ryukyu Islands and Okinawa, part of the Indo-Pacific coral triangle. These areas host a diverse range of coral species, including Pectinia, typically in shallow reef slopes and lagoons. It is also recorded in the Red Sea, particularly along the Saudi Arabian coastline. The Red Sea's unique coral reef ecosystems, including those around the Farasan Islands and northern Red Sea near NEOM, provide suitable habitats for Pectinia lactuca.
While not as fast-growing as branching corals, P. lactuca is moderately resilient but still faces threats from climate change, sedimentation, and coral bleaching. Although not currently listed as endangered, localized declines have been observed due to increasing environmental stress, making ongoing monitoring and habitat protection essential for its preservation.
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Sclerophytum spp.:
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A genus of soft corals belonging to the family Alcyoniidae, commonly found in tropical and subtropical reef environments, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. These corals form fleshy, lobed colonies and contribute to reef biodiversity by providing habitat and structure, though they do not build reefs like hard corals. Sclerophytum species are generally more tolerant of sedimentation and variable conditions compared to stony corals, but they are still affected by climate change, pollution, and habitat degradation. While not widely studied or assessed for conservation status, localized declines have been reported in areas facing significant reef stress, indicating the need for more research and monitoring.
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They are found in southern Japan, especially around Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands. Their habitat being shallow reef flats and slopes in warm, tropical waters. Soft corals resembling Sclerophytum/Sarcophyton are present along the Red Sea coral reefs as well, especially in lagoonal and fringing reef zones.
Seriatopora spp.:
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They are commonly known as bird’s nest corals, are small polyp stony corals belonging to the family Pocilloporidae. They are recognized for their delicate, branching structures and are found in shallow reef environments across the Indo-Pacific, including parts of the Red Sea and Western Pacific. These corals are fast-growing and contribute to reef complexity, making them ecologically significant.
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However, Seriatopora species are highly sensitive to environmental stressors such as temperature-induced bleaching, ocean acidification, and storm damage. Many populations have declined in recent years, particularly during marine heatwaves, though some species are used in restoration projects due to their rapid growth and ability to recover under stable conditions.
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Seriatopora spp. are found primarily in southern Japan, particularly in the Ryukyu Islands and Okinawa. The are widely distributed along the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia. Seriatopora hystrix is one of the most commonly recorded species in the region. The have a environmental significance and thus, plays a role in Red Sea reef biodiversity and is included in coral monitoring and resilience studies due to its sensitivity to temperature and salinity.
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Acropora austera:
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It is a fast-growing, branching coral species known for its dense, bushy morphology and is a key reef-builder in shallow tropical reef environments. It belongs to the genus Acropora, which plays a crucial role in providing habitat complexity and supporting reef biodiversity. A. austera thrives in high-light, high-energy zones such as reef crests and upper slopes.
​Acropora austera is highly sensitive to thermal stress, coral bleaching, and disease. Like many Acropora species, it has suffered significant declines in some regions due to marine heatwaves, ocean acidification, and physical disturbances. It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to its sensitivity and declining populations in parts of its range. However, its fast growth rate makes it a candidate for restoration efforts, especially in managed coral nurseries.
A. austera has been recorded in southern Japan, particularly in the Ryukyu Islands and Okinawa. Bleaching events in recent years have impacted its populations, although some recovery has been observed in well-managed reef areas. It is also found along the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia, especially in southern and central reefs.
A token from the reef, for the reef
As part of our commitment to sustainability, some of the proceeds from the sale of souvenir proceedings will be directed toward coral out-planting efforts in Japan. Each souvenir not only commemorates a moment of global collaboration but also actively contributes to preserving our marine ecosystems for future generations.
