/PROJECTS
We aim to create a tourism stress indicator by establishing baseline environmental quality measurements before large-scale tourism development, focusing on pristine areas like NEOM in the Red Sea and comparing them with densely populated regions such as Jeddah. This approach will involve assessing concentrations of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) such as UV blockers from sunscreen, inorganic elements, and molecular fingerprints (eDNA) of human and animal presence.
By detecting eDNA from humans, cows, sheep, and salmon, we will directly measure anthropogenic pressure at designated control points, establishing clear indicators of human activity. NEOM provides a unique opportunity to collect baseline data in minimally impacted areas, setting valuable benchmarks for sustainable tourism planning.
This project will support the development of regulatory measures to conserve Red Sea biodiversity, creating actionable indicators for tourism management and guiding strategies for protecting coastal ecosystems amid growing pressures from tourism, fishing, and climate change.