this coral reefs They are considered the most complex and beautiful life systems on the planet. But disappearing due to pollution, overharvesting and the climate crisis. They suffer. The situation is dramatic: if the world does not take urgent action and achieve the goals set in the Paris Agreements coral reefs will disappear in 30 years. And with them, a multitude of marine species and a source of food, livelihood and cultural heritage for 500 million people..
The warning was initiated by the claiming scientific community. declare some coral reefs “global climate change shelters”. An international team of environmental researchers recently published a report recommending six “key” recommendations for promoting the “persistence and survival” of coral reefs. this last chance to save themscientists cry.
The white paper ‘Forecasting climate protected areas to secure the future of coral reefs’ was supported by the ‘Living Oceans’ initiative and was presented at the Our Oceans Conference held in Palau a few days ago.
Scientific predictions show that coral reef ecosystems worldwide, key to numerous marine species, If the goals of the Paris Agreement are not met, they will be functionally disrupted by 2050.
But the situation is that Despite severe emissions cuts to keep global warming 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, “up to 90% of the world’s corals could disappear in the next three decades.it leaves behind a reef structure that will lose many of its functions,” warn experts.
Like canaries in coal mines
Jens Zinke, Professor of Paleobiology at the University of Leicester and co-author of the study, which examines large coral habitats to monitor climate and environmental change from the last three centuries to the present, compared coral reefs to “canaries in coal used because they were the first mines to detect gas leaks.
“Coral reefs detect ecosystems under stress from warming oceans due to climate change. Corals can ‘sensate’ when ocean temperatures have crossed a dangerous threshold and alert us when we need to take action,” adds the researcher.
“Our research has shown that coral reefs have been severely affected by the warming of the oceans over the past three or four decades.. However, in some places they show lower rates of warming or take advantage of mitigating conditions due to local oceanography.”
Some reefs have the ability to “resist or recover from heat stress faster than others.”, and “can serve as refuges under future warming. This is an important new research direction: find these places and protect them before they are lost,” stresses Zinke.
Already in 2018, the “Living Oceans” group in the “50 Reefs” study identified those that are more likely to resist and survive climate change. These habitats are mainly found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, but some are also found in the Caribbean and Red Sea.
But now, scientists also claim that they are declaring more resistant reefs sanitary. and rapid recovery is scattered across the planet.
Keys to coral survival
The group draws on the experience of universities and wildlife conservation groups around the world in its report. six ‘key’ suggestions It aims to promote the “persistence and survival” of coral reefs. These are as follows:
- Go on Declaring “sanctuaries to prevent climate change” as a priority for investments in protecting these habitats, focusing on the ’50 Reefs’ study.
- expand The ’50 Reefs’ conservation portfolio will include more ‘resilience sanctuaries and coral recovery’.
- To increase supporting regional ’50 Reefs’ health assessments and sustainable finance initiatives to support the implementation of regional portfolios.
- catalyze large-scale data-driven coral reef monitoring efforts to test and develop new climate protected area models and forecasts.
- To use cutting-edge climate science from coral reefs to drive investment, especially as the effects of climate change accelerate and trigger new environmental stresses and responses among reefs.
- to adopt A comprehensive approach to reef management, including links to wider seascapes, water quality and fisheries management, reduction of other pressures (e.g. industrial development) so that effective and equitable management has measurable benefits for coral reefs and coastal communities.
’50 Reefs’ Whitepaper: https://c532f75abb9c1c021b8c-e46e473f8aadb72cf2a8ea564b4e6a76.ssl.cf5.rackcdn.com/2022/04/11/2ei8gai5sx_Final_50.pence_Whites
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