- Dona Paula, Goa, India.
- +91-0832- 2450327
- iiosc2020[at]nio[dot]org
Abstract Submission No. | ABS-2022-06-0433 |
Title of Abstract | Assessing the threat status of coral reefs of the Western Indian Ocean using the Red List of Ecosystems framework |
Authors | Mishal Gudka*, David Obura |
Organisation | CORDIO East Africa |
Address | CORDIO East Africa, #9 Kibaki Flats, Kenyatta Beach, Bamburi Beach Bamburi, Bamburi, Kenya Pincode: 10135 Mobile: 4707940080 E-mail: mgudka@cordioea.net |
Country | Kenya |
Presentation | Oral |
Abstract | Coral reefs face an ever-expanding array of threats. In many parts of the world, the severity of the impacts is pushing reefs to phase-shift or collapse, directly jeopardizing the nutrition, livelihoods, and jobs of millions of people. It is therefore vital to empirically classify an ecosystems threat status, and the factors driving the decline. We applied a standardized method for assessing the risk of ecosystem collapse, the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems (RLE), to coral reefs in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO), covering 11,919 km2 of reef (about 5% of the global total). Our approach combined indicators of change in historic ecosystem extent, ecosystem functioning, and projected sea temperature warming. We show that WIO coral reefs are Vulnerable to collapse at the regional level, while in eleven nested ecoregions they range from Critically Endangered (islands, driven by future warming) to Vulnerable (continental coast and northern Seychelles, driven by fishing pressure). The results can support national and regional policy responses that include mitigating and building resilience to climate change and implementing ecosystem-based management of coral reefs, to reduce risks of ecosystem collapse. The approach assesses ecosystem area and integrity, meeting the need for both metrics in global policies including the Convention on Biological Diversitys post-2020 global biodiversity framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The next steps involve promoting the replication of the RLE approach to other coral reef regions and undertaking finer-scale national coral reef assessments in Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique |