Resources

Schmitz, O.J., Almealla, R., and Nuwat for Environmental Research & Education (2026), Frontiers in Marine Science.

Published in Frontiers in Marine Science, this study investigates how dugongs can enhance the carbon storage potential of seagrass ecosystems. Using a carbon–nutrient cycling model applied to seagrass habitats in Bahrain, the authors found that dugong grazing and nutrient recycling can significantly increase seagrass productivity, ecosystem carbon balance, and sediment carbon storage. Results suggest that the presence of dugongs may more than double carbon capture and storage compared to areas without dugongs.

This technical report presents standardized methods and findings from dugong and marine megafauna surveys conducted under the IKI-funded Conservation of Biodiversity, Seagrass Ecosystems and Their Services project. It outlines practical, cost-effective approaches for monitoring dugongs and other marine megafauna using drone-based aerial imagery and standardized image analysis, enabling surveys to be undertaken by local practitioners. The report supports long-term monitoring of dugong populations as indicators of seagrass ecosystem health and provides guidance to strengthen evidence-based conservation and management of seagrass habitats and the ecosystem services they provide.

Macreadie, P.I. et al. (2026), Nature Ecology & Evolution.

Published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, this paper identifies the most pressing research and implementation priorities for advancing blue carbon science over the next decade. Drawing on the expertise of 28 international specialists, the authors outline ten priority questions focused on improving the conservation, restoration, measurement, governance and financing of blue carbon ecosystems, including seagrasses, mangroves and tidal marshes. Key themes include supporting coastal livelihoods, integrating traditional ecological knowledge, developing cost-effective restoration methods, improving greenhouse gas accounting, and harnessing emerging technologies such as remote sensing and machine learning.

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) contracted James Cook University to prepare a new edition of the 2002 publication: ‘Dugong: status report and action plans for countries and territories’.

The new edition, which is titled ‘A global assessment of dugong status and conservation needs’, comprises eleven chapters, each written by the listed co-authors. The report has been edited by Helene Marsh, Philippa Loates and Luisa Schramm and reviewed by Abdelmenam Mohamed, Lauren Lopes, Yasmeen Tel Wala and Harris Wei-Khang.

Iyer, S., Pande, A., Ghanekar, C., Kuppusamy, S., and Johnson, J.A. (2025), Marine Pollution Bulletin.

Published in Marine Pollution Bulletin, this study provides the first comprehensive assessment of toxic metal and metalloid contamination in dugongs from India. Analysing tissues from 46 dugongs stranded between 2018 and 2023 in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar region, the authors measured concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury and lead across multiple organs. The research documents several first global records of these contaminants in dugong blubber, heart, lung and skin tissues, while also revealing differences in metal accumulation linked to tissue type, sex and maturity. Notably, elevated mercury levels in fetal tissues indicate the transfer of contaminants from mother to calf during gestation.

Cleguer, C. et al. (2024), Pacific Conservation Biology 30, PC23036

Burt, J. A. (2024)

A comprehensive and up-to-date review of the nature and environment of the Emirates. Includes contributions from over 20 leading experts on UAE ecosystems and biota.

Cossa, D. et al. (2023), Marine Ecology Progress Series, Vol. 716: 123–136

Khamis, A. et al. (2023), Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 1–14

Unsworth, R. et al. (2022), Science, Vol 377, Issue 6606 pp. 609-613

Mingli, L. et al. (2022), Royal Society of Open Science, 9: 211994

Malakar, B. et al. (2022), Aquatic Mammals,48(1): 21-24

Macreadie, P. et al. (2022), One Earth, Volume 5, Issue 5: 485-492

Jones, B. et al. (2022), Ocean & Coastal Management, Volume 225 (106247)

Duarte de Paula Costa, M. et al. (2022), Wetlands 42, 109

Derville, S. et al. (2022), Scientific Reports, 12(552)

Dencer-Brown, A.M. et. al, (2022) Ambio, 51:1978–1993

Andréfouët, S. et al., (2021), Marine Pollution Bulletin, 173

Cleguer, C., Kelly, N., Tyne, J., Wieser, M., Peel, D., and Hodgson, A. (2021), Frontiers in Marine Science.

Published in Frontiers in Marine Science, this study presents a novel survey method utilizing small, affordable unoccupied aerial vehicles (UAVs) to monitor wildlife, specifically applied to dugong populations. To overcome the technical limitations of small UAVs—such as short battery life and aviation regulations—the authors developed a grid-based sampling approach using two multirotor drones flying simultaneously from a vessel.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture, and Department of the Interior and Local Government (2001). Philippine Coastal Management Guidebook No. 5:  Coastal Resource Management Project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Cebu City, Philippines, 106 p.

Tol, S. J. et al. (2021), Biotropica, 53, 1535–1545

Stankovic, M. et al. (2021), Science of the Total Environment. 156858.

Shilland, R. et al. (2021), Marine Policy, 129 (30)

McKenzie, L. et al. (2021), Environment Research Letters. 15 074041

McKenzie, L. et al. (2021), Marine Pollution Bulletin, 167

Dunic, J.C. et al. (2021), Global Change Biology

Annual Progress Report

Wildlife Institute of India, (Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change), Dehradun.

Bevitt, K. (2020), WorldFish

United Nations Environment Programme (2020). UNEP, Nairobi

Verutes, G.M. et al. (2020), PLoS ONE 15(8)

Hines, E. et al. (2020), Endangered Species Research 42:37-57

Cleguer et al. (2020), Endangered Species Research, 43, 167–181.

Rahman, M.A.A. et al. (2019), Journal of Politics and Law; Vol. 12, No. 4; 2019

Plön, S. et al. (2019), PLoS ONE 14(9): e0219350

Vanuatu Environmental Science Society (2019)

Bujang J.S. et al. (2018), in Finlayson C., Milton G., Prentice R., Davidson N. (eds) The Wetland Book. Springer, Dordrecht.

Wabnitz, C.C. et al. (2018), PloS one, 13(5).

Nordlund, L.M. et al. (2018), Marine Pollution Bulletin, 134: 145-151

Nordlund, L.M. et al. (2018), Fish Fish, 19: 399-412

Fortes, M., et al. (2018), Botanica Marina 61 (3)

Al Dhaheri, S. et al. (2017), Environment Agency Abu-Dhabi

Pilcher, N.J. et al. (2017), CMS Office – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

UNEP (2016)

A mid-term review of progress towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets

Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). (2016). C. Cabrido (Ed.). Quezon City, Philippines: BMB-DENR, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Global Environment Facility (GEF), Foundation for the Philippine Environment.

Dewsbury, B. et al. (2016), Ecosystem Services. 18

UNEP (2016)

The second report presents current knowledge on status and trends in biodiversity and ecosystem services and their pressures, but also aims to inform the global community about the responses the West Asian region has made towards the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, agreed in Nagoya in 2010, and the associated Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

Cleguer, C. (2015) PhD dissertation

James Cook University (JCU)

Campbell, J. et al. (2015), Estuaries and Coasts. Vol. 38 (242-251)

Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand (2015)

Mery, S. et al. (2015), Antiquity , Volume 83 , Issue 321 , September 2009 , pp. 696 – 708