Coral Reefs: Threats and Conservation in an Era of Global Change

Authors

Bernhard Riegl, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Andy Bruckner, Khaled Bin Sultan Living Oceans FoundationFollow
Steve L. Coles, Bishop MuseumFollow
Philip Renaud, Khaled Bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation
Richard E. Dodge, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-11-2009

Publication Title

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

Keywords

Coral Reef, Conservation, Global climate Change, Phase shift, Overfishing, Coral Diseases, Bleaching, Ocean acidification, Tourism, Marine Reserve

ISSN

0077-8923

Volume

1162

First Page

136

Last Page

186

Abstract

Coral reefs are iconic, threatened ecosystems that have been in existence for ∼500 million years, yet their continued ecological persistence seems doubtful at present. Anthropogenic modification of chemical and physical atmospheric dynamics that cause coral death by bleaching and newly emergent diseases due to increased heat and irradiation, as well as decline in calcification caused by ocean acidification due to increased CO₂, are the most important large-scale threats. On more local scales, overfishing and destructive fisheries, coastal construction, nutrient enrichment, increased runoff and sedimentation, and the introduction of nonindigenous invasive species have caused phase shifts away from corals. Already ∼20% of the world's reefs are lost and ∼26% are under imminent threat. Conservation science of coral reefs is well advanced, but its practical application has often been lagging. Societal priorites, economic pressures, and legal/administrative systems of many countries are more prone to destroy rather than conserve coral-reef ecosystems. Nevertheless, many examples of successful conservation exist from the national level to community-enforced local action. When effectively managed, protected areas have contributed to regeneration of coral reefs and stocks of associated marine resources. Local communities often support coral-reef conservation in order to raise income potential associated with tourism and/or improved resource levels. Coral reefs create an annual income in S-Florida alone of over $4 billion. Thus, no conflict between development, societal welfare, and coral-reef conservation needs to exist. Despite growing threats, it is not too late for decisive action to protect and save these economically and ecologically high-value ecosystems. Conservation science plays a critical role in designing effective strategies.

Comments

©2009 New York Academy of Sciences

NSUWorks Citation

Riegl, Bernhard, Andy Bruckner, Steve L. Coles, Philip Renaud, Richard E. Dodge. 2009. "Coral Reefs: Threats and Conservation in an Era of Global Change." Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1162: 136-186.

ORCID ID

0000-0002-6003-9324

ResearcherID

F-8807-2011

DOI

10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04493.x