Mapping the global value and distribution of coral reef tourism

Global coral reef related tourism is one of the most significant examples of nature-based tourism from a single ecosystem. Coral reefs attract foreign and domestic visitors and generate revenues, including foreign exchange earnings, in over 100 countries and territories. Understanding the full value of coral reefs to tourism, and the spatial distribution of these values, provides an important incentive for sustainable reef management. In the current work, global data from multiple sources, including social media and crowd-sourced datasets, were used to estimate and map two distinct components of reef value. The first component is local “reef-adjacent” value, an overarching term used to capture a range of indirect benefits from coral reefs, including provision of sandy beaches, sheltered water, food, and attractive views. The second component is “on-reef” value, directly associated with in-water activities such diving and snorkelling. Tourism values were estimated as a proportion of the total visits and spending by coastal tourists within 30 km of reefs (excluding urban areas). Reef-adjacent values were set as a fixed proportion of 10% of this expenditure. On-reef values were based on the relative abundance of dive-shops and underwater photos in different countries and territories. Maps of value assigned to specific coral reef locations show considerable spatial variability across distances of just a few kilometres. Some 30% of the world's reefs are of value in the tourism sector, with a total value estimated at nearly US$36 billion, or over 9% of all coastal tourism value in the world's coral reef countries.     

Farming the reef: is aquaculture a solution for reducing fishing pressure on coral reefs?

This paper presents the results of an analysis to determine the financial and social feasibility of aquaculture technologies for live reef organisms, including food fish and marine ornamentals, as an alternative to wild capture of live reef organisms in nearshore waters in the Indo-Pacific region. The paper provides information and policy guidance for appropriate aquaculture technology application for Indo-Pacific nations, which are the source of most live reef organisms supplied for international trade. Cautionary evidence indicates that, under certain conditions, some forms of small-scale aquaculture of live coral reef organisms can be a useful solution for reducing fishing pressure on coral reefs.     

珊瑚礁生态修复效果评价指标体系研究进展

近年来气候变化和人类活动导致全球范围内珊瑚礁大幅度退化,珊瑚礁生态系统面临严重威胁.开展珊瑚礁生态修复是恢复珊瑚礁生态系统最有效、最根本的措施之一,它不仅可以恢复珊瑚礁在生态系统中的功能,还可以提供相应的社会、文化、经济效益以及服务价值.近十几年来,我国在海南、西沙以及广西等海域开展了大量的珊瑚礁生态修复实践,但在评价...     

The influence of reef type and seasonality on population structure of coral‐reef fishes within Malindi Marine Park,Kenya

Effective conservation requires knowledge of the effects of habitat on distribution and abundance of organisms. Although the structure of coral reef fish assemblages is strongly correlated with attributes of reef structure, data relating reef types to fish assemblages are scarce. In this study we describe the influence of gross habitat characteristics and seasonality on coral reef fish assemblages of fringing and patch reefs in Kenya. Results showed that total fish abundance was not significantly different between the reefs; however, the fringing reef had higher species diversity during both the northeast (42 spp.) and southeast (36 spp.) monsoon seasons when compared to the patch reef. The more fished species (e.g. Siganus sutor and Lethrinus mahsena) were more abundant on the patch reef in both seasons. Statistical analysis indicated common species between the reefs were more abundant on the fringing reef. Seasons affected abundance of the more vagile species (S. sutor), whereas the reef‐attached sky emperor, L. mahsena was affected more by reef type than by seasons. No significant interaction effects of habitat and seasons were found, indicating independence of habitat and environmental variability in affecting fish assemblages on the reefs. Smaller sized fish dominated the fringing reef more than the patch reef, whereas the skewness index (Sk) indicated a normal‐sized frequency distribution on the patch reef. Trophic structure of the fishes varied more within than between reefs, whereas fish assemblage structure was affected more by seasons on the fringing reef. These results suggest that conservation measures such as marine protected area (MPA) design and setting should consider effects of reef morphology and environmental variability on coral‐reef fish assemblage structure.     

Evidence of a common understanding of proximate and distal drivers of reef health

Marine management has typically prioritised natural science methodological traditions as an evidence base for decision-making; yet better integration of social science methods are increasingly shown to provide a more comprehensive picture to base management decisions. Specifically, perceptions-based assessments are gaining support, as they can provide efficient and holistic evaluation regarding management issues. This study focuses on coral reefs because they are particularly threatened ecosystems, due to their ecological complexity, socio-economic importance, and the range of environmental drivers that impact them. Research has largely concentrated on assessing proximate threats to coral reefs. Less attention has been given to distal drivers, such as socio-economic and governance factors. A common understanding of threats related to coral reef degradation is critical for integrated management that takes account of peoples’ concerns. This study compares perceptions of drivers of reef health among stakeholders (n = 110) across different sectors and governance levels, in four Caribbean countries. Interview data identified 37 proximate and 136 distal drivers, categorised into 27 themes. Five sub-groups of themes connecting proximate and distal drivers were identified. Perceptions of two of these narratives, relating to ‘fishing and socioeconomic issues’ and ‘reef management and coastal development’, differed among respondents from different countries and sectors respectively. However, the findings highlight a shared perception of many themes, with 18 of the 27 (67%) mentioned by > 25% of respondents. This paper highlights the application of perceptions data for marine management, demonstrating how knowledge of proximate and distal drivers can be applied to identify important issues at different context-specific scales.     

Coral reef education in schools of Quintana Roo, Mexico

Coral reefs are vital to the livelihood of coastal communities in Quintana Roo, México and the preservation of these ecosystems relies on the establishment of protected areas. Education should be one of the most important management tools in coral reef preservation. Surveys were made among primary and secondary school students of Quintana Roo to determine the level of education regarding coral reefs and their importance. Students had little awareness about reefs. Coverage of coral reef issues is insufficient in school curricula and information media. Many students will leave school and become users of the reef with little understanding of it and of the consequences of exploitation of the reef. Creation of marine parks has not increased education and public awareness. There is an immediate need to establish appropriate and continuously available educational programs in order to preserve coral reefs. Education should encourage codes of behavior and community support to management issues.     

Dynamic simulation of tropical coral reef ecosystem being disturbed by multiple situations

In consideration of the rapid degradation of coral reef ecosystems, the establishment of models is helpful to comprehend the degradation mechanism of coral reef ecosystems and predict the development process of coral reef communities. According to the characteristics of complex ecosystem of tropical coral reefs in China, the coral reef functional group is the core level variable; combined with the multiple feedback effects of coral reef functional groups and environmental changes, the study presents a coral reef ecosystem dynamics model with hermatypic corals as the core. Based on the simulation of the assumed initial value and the internal feedback of the system, the results show that in the basic simulation(relative health conditions), the coverage area of live corals and coral reefs generally decreased first and then increased, and increased by 4.67% and 6.38% between2010 and 2050, respectively. Based on the calibration model and the current situation of the studied area, the multi-factor disturbance effects of coral reef communities were simulated and explored by setting up three scenarios involving fishing policy, terrestrial deposition, and inorganic nitrogen emissions. Among them, in the single factor disturbance, the fishing policy exerts the most direct impact on the community decline; and the succession phenomenon is obvious; the terrestrial sedimentation has a faster and more integrated effect on the community decline; the effect of inorganic nitrogen emission on the community decline is relatively slow. In the double/multi-factor disturbance, the superimposed disturbance will aggravate the multi-source feedback effect of the coral reef communities development, accelerate the community decay rate, and make its development trajectory more complicated and diverse. This method provides a scientific and feasible method for simulating the damage of long-term coral reef community and exploring the development law and adaptive management of coral reef ecosystems. In the future, it can be further studied in the ecological restoration process and decisionmaking direction of coral reefs.     

Selective coral mortality associated with outbreaks of Acanthaster planci L. in Bootless Bay, Papua New Guinea

Population outbreaks of crown-of-thorns sea star (Acanthaster planci L.) remain one of the most significant biological disturbances on tropical coral reefs although the increasing attention given to other threats has greatly limited recent progress in understanding the cause and consequences of this phenomenon. In September 2005 dramatic increases in the abundance of A. planci were observed on reefs within Bootless Bay, Central Province, Papua New Guinea, where few crown-of-thorns have previously been reported. Densities of A. planci peaked at 162 sea stars per hectare and caused extensive coral mortality. This outbreak killed upwards of 55% of live corals, reducing overall coral cover from 42.4% in 2005 down to just 19.1% in March 2006. Declines in coral cover were largely driven by widespread mortality of Acropora spp. which dominated reef assemblages prior to the outbreak. The extensive depletion of Acropora spp. greatly altered the coral composition as well as the physical structure of reef habitats. In the absence of any other major disturbances these coral communities are likely to quickly recover, but this outbreak highlights the ongoing contribution of A. planci to degradation of coral reef environments.     

基于高分辨率遥感的珊瑚礁地貌单元体系构建和分类方法—以8波段Worldview-2影像为例

珊瑚礁生态系统是全球初级生产力最高的生态系统之一, 在维持海洋生物多样性、防浪固滩、资源供给等方面发挥着巨大作用。珊瑚礁遥感地貌分类体系是珊瑚礁保护、管理及可持续发展的必要基础, 但目前还未有结合珊瑚覆盖度进行分类的体系。本文基于WorldView-2高分辨率遥感影像, 以中国南海西沙群岛七连屿北部赵述岛和西沙洲所在礁盘作为研究区, 结合珊瑚覆盖度、区域地貌成分和水动力条件等指标, 建立了既适用于遥感监测又与珊瑚生存状况相关联的珊瑚礁地貌单元分类体系。同时, 利用面向对象的支持向量机(Support Vector Machine, SVM)和随机森林(Random Forest, RF)分类方法进行珊瑚礁地貌单元的信息提取, 并对分类结果进行精度评价。结果表明, SVM和RF两种分类方法均能较好地提取出珊瑚礁地貌单元, 分类精度分别为87.59%和79.81%。针对分类过程中出现的错分、漏分问题, 结合珊瑚礁成因和分布规律对分类结果进行修正, 修正后分类提取的精度达到91.3%, Kappa系数为0.9041, 表明本文构建的珊瑚礁地貌单元分类体系在一定程度上能满足当前珊瑚岛礁信息提取的需要。     

Evaluating the influence of candidate terrestrial protected areas on coral reef condition in Fiji

In any given region, there are multiple options for terrestrial protected area networks that achieve goals for conservation of terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem values. When deciding on the location of terrestrial protected areas, planners typically focus only on terrestrial conservation goals, ignoring potential linked benefits to marine ecosystems. These benefits include maintenance of downstream water quality, as forest protection can prevent changes in amount and composition of river runoff that negatively impacts coral reefs. This study aims to determine the benefit of different terrestrial reserve networks to the condition of coral reefs adjacent to the main islands of Fiji to support the work of Fiji's Protected Area Committee in expanding the national protected area estate through integrated land–sea planning. Options for terrestrial protected area networks were designed using six approaches, where the primary objective of each approach was to either achieve terrestrial conservation goals (e.g., represent 40% of each vegetation type) or maximize benefits to coral reefs by minimizing potential for land-based runoff. When achieving terrestrial conservation goals was the primary objective, the potential benefits to coral reef condition were 7.7–10.4% greater than benefits from the existing network of protected areas. When benefiting reefs was the primary objective, benefits to coral reefs were 1.1–2.8 times greater per unit area than networks designed to only achieve terrestrial conservation goals, but 31–44% of the terrestrial conservation goals were not achieved. These results are already being used by Fiji's Protected Area Committee to modify the boundaries of existing priority places to deliver outcomes that better meet terrestrial conservation goals while offering greater benefits to coral reef condition through prevention of run-off.     

Analysis and evaluation of coral reef integrity based on borehole camera technology

At present, very few drilling surveys have been conducted on coral reefs, and comprehensive geological info on coral reefs is difficult to obtain. However, research on coral reefs is of great importance to development and exploitation of maritime resources. In the survey of Chenhang Island in Paracel (Xisha) Islands, we applied the digital borehole camera technology the first time in China, which resulted in a large amount of first-hand geological data. We utilized the rock mass integrity index (RMDI) method in our analysis of coral reef integrity, and the value of coefficient α in the RMDI was determined to evaluate the size effect of cavities on coral reefs. We then developed the correlation between RMDI values and coral reef integrity with references to the rock mass classification standard, which enabled the engineering evaluation of coral reef integrity. By statistical analysis of camera data gathered along the CK2 borehole for approximately 1-km length, we performed an integrity evaluation of the entire borehole length using the RMDI classification and created a coral reef stratum development diagram that was consistent with the actual cores. The results indicated: (1) the RMDI is a feasible approach for the analysis of coral reef integrity, (2) the classification system based on RMDI is feasible in the integrity evaluation of coral reefs, (3) the values of coral reef integrity obtained using the RMDI method are accurate, and (4) borehole camera survey and statistical analysis are important in the study of coral reefs.     

1985–2019年南海诸岛珊瑚礁区热压力时空变化研究分析

全球气候变暖引起的热压力增大是南海诸岛珊瑚礁面临的最主要威胁,基于热压力对珊瑚礁白化的评估有利于对其保护和管理。周热度（Degree Heating Week, DHW）可以衡量热压力的强度和持续时间,代表过去连续12周珊瑚礁区海表温度（SST）正异常的累积。本文基于美国国家海洋和大气管理珊瑚礁监测计划（National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-Coral Reef Watch, NOAACRW）海表温度数据集,逐像元对35个年最大周热度数值进行K-means聚类分析,将南海诸岛珊瑚礁区分为6个区域：南沙–1、南沙–2、南沙–3、东沙、西沙和中沙珊瑚礁区。分析南海诸岛珊瑚礁区1985–2019年热压力时空变化及其与El Ni?o的相关关系。结果表明：（1）南海诸岛珊瑚礁区最大DHW为0～12.9℃-周,纬度上由高到低呈现减小变化规律。（2）线性拟合法分析1985–2019年的年最大DHW,显示南海诸岛珊瑚礁区热压力强度呈现上升趋势,为0.013～0.174℃-周/a,南海诸岛珊瑚礁区最大DHW出现在1998年、2010年、2014年...     

An overview of socio-economic and ecological perspectives of Fiji's inshore reef fisheries

This paper reviews the socio-economic and ecological context of Fijian reef fisheries. This review is deemed necessary because improved understanding of the state and trends of Fiji's coral reef fisheries on a national level is required for designing an effective management plan for Fiji's inshore reef fisheries. The most important point that emerges from our review is that despite numerous studies of Fiji's reef fisheries, the current status of reef-associated fisheries at the national level is still uncertain due, mainly, to the lack of dependable data on the subsistence fisheries. This in turn leads to uncertainty about how the continuation of fishing, in particular, fishing focused on target species for the coral reef resources trade, will affect fishing communities and the ecosystem.     

The health and future of coral reef systems

Coral reefs are among the most productive and diverse ecosystems on earth and provide a multitude of valuable ecosystem services. Moreover, the resources derived from coral reefs are essential to the food security of millions of people living within tropical coastal communities. Unfortunately, burgeoning human populations in coastal regions are placing an unsustainable burden on these resources such that degradation of coral reefs is common. In addition, during 1998, El Niño driven increases in sea temperature caused a mass bleaching event that further degraded many of the world's coral reefs. This article provides a brief review of the status of the world's coral reefs and highlights their value to society. Also, the anthropogenic and natural disturbances that threaten the future of coral reefs are discussed and finally, this article offers some potential remedies that promote sustainable use of coral reef resources thus ensuring their future survival.     

典型近岸退化珊瑚礁的成功修复案例——蜈支洲珊瑚覆盖率的恢复

在全球珊瑚礁生态系统面临退化威胁的情况下,珊瑚礁生态修复工作成为人类帮助珊瑚礁恢复健康的重要手段之一,并且在全球各个珊瑚礁区域都得到广泛应用.我国近岸珊瑚礁生态系统退化严重,本实验探讨利用珊瑚移植技术在三亚市蜈支洲岛典型的近岸珊瑚礁环境下恢复造礁石珊瑚的覆盖率,希望推动企业参与海洋生态保护并从中受益.在与当地旅游公司的...     

An analysis of sponge diversity and distribution at three taxonomic levels in the Thousand Islands/Jakarta Bay reef complex, West-Java, Indonesia

Very few coral reefs are located close enough to large cities to study the influence of large urban populations on reef assemblages. An exception is the Thousand Islands reef complex to the north of Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, and one of the largest conurbations in the world. Here we present data from a detailed survey where sponge assemblages were assessed at 30 patch reefs associated with islands in three coastal zones along an in-to-offshore gradient. Sponge assemblages are described at three taxonomic levels of detail (species, genus and family level). We recorded a total of 118 sponge species, 64 genera and 36 families, Aaptos suberitoides (Brønsted, 1934), Clathria (Thalysias) reinwardti (Vosmaer, 1880), Petrosia (Petrosia) nigricans (Lindgren, 1897) and Xestospongia testudinaria (Lamarck, 1813) were the most common species overall. There was a pronounced difference in composition among zones with the most distinct difference between the inshore zone and the other two zones. The inshore environment was characterised by very high turbidity and low live coral cover; the dominant substrate consisted of algal turf and sand. Environmental conditions improved and sponge diversity increased further offshore, although most areas appeared to have been affected by some form of disturbance. Ordinations were also largely congruent, at species, generic and family levels of taxonomic resolution. This indicates that variation in composition at higher taxonomic levels is a good indicator of variation at lower taxonomic levels, at least when there is a pronounced environmental gradient.     

A new coral reef province in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia: Colonisation, growth and submergence during the early Holocene

Multibeam sonar mapping, drill cores and underwater video data have confirmed the existence of a previously unknown coral reef province in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia. Seven reefs, comprised of coral limestone that support living corals have been mapped so far and as many as 50 other reefs may exist in the region. U/Th ages show that reef growth commenced shortly after limestone pedestals were submerged by rising sea level around 10.5 kyr BP, making them the oldest Holocene reefs known in Australia. Reef growth persisted for ~ 2.0 kyr but it had ceased at most locations by ~ 7.0 kyr BP. Measurements of reef growth rates (0.95 to 4 m kyr^− 1), indicate that the reefs were unable to keep pace with contemporaneous rapid sea level rise (> 10 m kyr^− 1), which is consistent with a “give up” reef growth history. Core samples from reef platforms demonstrate that Pleistocene limestone is exposed at depths of 27 and 30 m below present mean sea level. These depths represent regionally significant phases of reef growth during a prolonged sea level still stand. We conclude that the reefs are therefore mostly relict features, whose major phase of growth and development relates to an earlier, pre-Holocene sea level still stand.     

基于WorldView-2和GF-2遥感影像的赵述岛礁坪底质变化研究

以西沙群岛海域赵述岛礁坪为研究区域,应用2010年的WorldView-2和2015年的GF-2两期高分辨率卫星遥感影像数据,结合现场水下珊瑚礁照片和视频资料,建立了赵述岛礁坪底质类型遥感分类体系,分别构建了针对WorldView-2遥感影像和GF-2遥感影像的珊瑚礁底质分类决策树模型,并通过对两期遥感影像的底质类型提取结果的变化分析,完成了赵述岛礁坪退化区域的提取。结果表明:(1)WorldView-2影像的分类决策树具有91%的总体分类精度和0.89的Kappa系数,GF-2影像的分类决策树具有更高的分类精度;(2)6年期间研究区大约1/4的珊瑚礁分布区发生了退化;(3)最突出的自然变化是礁前区大面积的珊瑚丛生区转变成藻脊,结合相关资料认为东北季风、热带气旋和温度上升的综合影响是驱动因素;(4)赵述岛西侧的藻脊、珊瑚沉积区大面积转化为珊瑚砂和深水区域,原因是航道和码头的开发活动。研究分析了6年间赵述岛礁坪底质的退化状况,并分析原因,为珊瑚礁底质分类提供方法,并为西沙群岛的珊瑚礁监测和保护提供了有效资料和手段。     

基于底质类型变化监测的2005—2018年西沙永乐群岛珊瑚礁白化分析

在海洋环境变化和人类活动的双重影响下,我国珊瑚礁白化现象日趋严重,珊瑚礁健康状况、珊瑚种群数量和丰富度呈逐年下降的趋势。本文基于2005-2007年QuickBird卫星影像、2011-2012年QuickBird/WorldView-2卫星影像和2016-2018年GF-1/2卫星影像等3期高分辨率遥感数据,以西沙永乐群岛羚羊礁、中建岛等14个岛礁为研究区（以下统称永乐群岛）,利用支持向量机（support vector machine,SVM）分类方法结合人机交互信息提取方法完成了3期永乐群岛的珊瑚礁底质类型分类,并通过珊瑚礁底质类型变化分析了永乐群岛珊瑚礁白化特征。主要结论包括：（1）提出了一种珊瑚礁白化程度分级的方法,将永乐群岛白化状况分为轻度、中度、重度和严重白化4个等级,通过分析发现在监测时段内14个岛礁中有13个发生了不同程度的白化,其中10个发生了重度白化（白化率20%以上）,1个严重白化（羚羊礁,白化率为33.36%）;（2）根据监测数据统计,上述珊瑚岛礁的白化主要是由珊瑚丛生区白化引起的,2005-2018年永乐群岛珊瑚丛生区白化面积占总的发生白化区域面积的70.55%;（3）14个岛礁中只有甘泉岛的活珊瑚覆盖在逐渐增加,活珊瑚覆盖面积由2006年5月10日的87.13 hm²增加到2018年3月7日的107.80 hm²。     

How U.S. ocean policy and market power can reform the coral reef wildlife trade

As the world’s largest importer of marine ornamental species for the aquaria, curio, home décor, and jewelry industries, the United States has an opportunity to leverage its considerable market power to promote more sustainable trade and reduce the effects of ornamental trade stress on coral reefs worldwide. Evidence indicates that collection of some coral reef animals for these trades has caused virtual elimination of local populations, major changes in age structure, and promotion of collection practices that destroy reef habitats. Management and enforcement of collection activities in major source countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines remain weak. Strengthening US trade laws and enforcement capabilities combined with increasing consumer and industry demand for responsible conservation can create strong incentives for improving management in source countries. This is particularly important in light of the March 2010 failure of the parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to take action on key groups of corals.