Protecting reefs, protects people
Coral reefs harbour the highest biodiversity of any ecosystem, making them one of the most biologically complex and valuable ecosystems on the planet. They support over half a billion people globally through the provision of food, income, coastal protection and cultural practices.
Worldwide coral reef ecosystems are in crisis. The global pressure of climate change along with local human induced pressures are contributing to the rapid deterioration of coral reefs ecosystems – jeopardising the lives of the millions of people that rely on these coastal resources.
Coral reefs are a vital part of our planet’s life-support system. But only 2.5% of the world’s coral reefs are actively protected.
What are Climate Resilient Reefs?
Image source: © Ove Hoegh-Guldberg
A global analysis led by the University of Queensland and over 20 scientific and conservation partners found that some reefs have substantially lower exposure to climate change stress due to local oceanographic conditions such as currents and upwelling. These climate resilient reefs are the focus of this portal within the GEF Coral Reef Rescue (CRR) Project.
Linked by ocean currents which transport coral larvae and fish, these refuges of resilience could act as source reefs from which the world’s deteriorated corals can regenerate in the future.
Coral Reef Rescue Portal
Discover trusted tools and information to manage, monitor, protect, and learn about coral reefs.
Understanding the physical, ecological and socio-economic trends within climate resilient coral reefs and connected ecosystems is key for the success of management strategies.
There is a critical gap between existing science and data resources to on-the-ground decision-making for coral reef management.
This portal aims to link government, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), local communities and field operators with relevant data, platforms and other digital tools to promote data-driven decision-making, inform action and facilitate information sharing.
To learn more about the role of data and monitoring in coral reef management, enrol in our free self-paced online courses.
Image source: © Emily Maher/AIMS
GEF Coral Reef Rescue Project
Empowered communities play a vital role in protecting their coral reefs and ensuring that men, women and youth continue to thrive in a rapidly changing climate.
The Coral Reef Rescue: Resilient Coral Reefs, Resilient Communities Project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and works in 6 countries in which resilient reefs are concentrated: Fiji, Indonesia, Madagascar, Philippines, Solomon Islands and Tanzania.
The GEF CRR Project aims to build capacity, information-sharing and solutions that ensure the long-term survival of resilient coral reef ecosystems, conserving their biodiversity and supporting the blue economies and communities dependent on them.
The Project contributes to the Global Coral Reef Rescue Initiative (CRRI) – a global multi-stakeholder partnership aimed at protecting the health of coral reef ecosystems in the face of climate threats.
