Cumulative pressures threaten the Red Sea | Science

The Red Sea is a semi-enclosed marine basin of exceptional ecological value, supporting coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass meadows that underpin biodiversity, fisheries, and coastal protection (1). However, the very physical characteristics that contribute to its ecological distinctiveness—restricted circulation and limited water exchange—also increase the persistence of local stressors. Rapid coastal development across the basin further intensifies these pressures, and basin-wide environmental assessments remain uneven and fragmented (2).