Elsevier, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, Volume 33, December 2018
Rapid ocean warming as a result of climate change poses a key risk for coral reefs. Even if the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement are achieved, coral reefs are likely to decline by 70–90% relative to their current abundance by midcentury. Although alarming, coral communities that survive will play a key role in the regeneration of reefs by mid-to-late century. Here, we argue for a coordinated, global coral reef conservation strategy that is centred on 50 large (500 km 2 ) regions that are the least vulnerable to climate change and which are positioned to facilitate future coral reef regeneration. The proposed strategy and actions should strengthen and expand existing conservation efforts for coral reefs as we face the long-term consequences of intensifying climate change.
Category:
Keywords:
Abundance Estimation; Animal; Animals; Anthozoa; Climate Change; Conservation; Conservation Of Natural Resources; Conservation Planning; Coral Reef; Coral Reefs; Environmental Policy; Environmental Protection; Future Prospect; Global Strategy; Global Warming; Growth, Development And Aging; International Agreement; Long-term Change; Paris Climate Agreement; Performance; Performance Assessment; Physiology; Portfolio; Procedures; Recovery; Regeneration; Restoration Ecology; Risk; Risk Assessment; Vulnerability; Global