Distribution and Abundance of the Corals around Hengam and Farurgan Islands, the Persian Gulf

The percentage cover and distribution of scleractinian corals were studied at two Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf. Survey techniques involved the use of 20-m line transects placed at 4-9 m depth interval, parallel to the shore. GIS based maps were employed to show the distribution of hard corals. In Farurgan Island, hard coral cover was concentrated in the west and north-west of the island, while in Hengam it was mostly concentrated in the eastern side of the Island. Mean hard coral cover was 25.91% (± 5.80) and 48.47% (±1.36) in Farurgan and Hengam Islands, respectively. There was a significant difference (p<0.01) in hard corals coverage among different reefs in each island. Other benthic life forms showed similar patterns with significant differences (p<0.01) among reefs. It was observed that the predominant hard coral forms were massive (Porites) in Farurgan Island, whilst those in Hengam Island were mainly branching corals (Acropora).