Reefs at Risk: A Map-Based Indicator of Threats to the World's Coral Reefs

Dirk Bryant; Lauretta Burke; John McManus; Mark Spalding

Abstract

This report concerns the first ever detailed map-based assessment of potential threats to coral reef ecosystems around the world. Reefs at Risk draws on 14 data sets (including maps of landcover ports settlements and shipping lanes) information on 800 sites known to be degraded by people and scientific expertise to model areas where reef degradation is predicted to occur given existing human pressures on these areas. The analysis offers a stark warning: the pressure of human activity poses grave danger to reefs in most of the worlds oceans and irreparable damage is occurring rapidly. The exceptions are places still isolated from intense human pressures and those few places that have implemented effective measures to protect reefs. Key findings and recommended measures to repair coral reef damages are enumerated in this report.

Keywords

ReefCoral reefHuman settlementResilience of coral reefsCoral reef protectionGeographyCoral reef organizationsEnvironmental issues with coral reefsFisheryCoral bleachingAquaculture of coralCoralEcosystemEnvironmental resource managementOceanographyEcologyEnvironmental scienceGeologyArchaeologyBiology

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Publication Info

Year: 1998
Type: book
Citations: 570
Access: Closed

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APA Style

                            
                                    Dirk Bryant, 
                                
                                    Lauretta Burke, 
                                
                                    John McManus
                                
                                et al.
                            
                            (1998). 
                            Reefs at Risk: A Map-Based Indicator of Threats to the World's Coral Reefs. 
                            Biodiversity Heritage Library (Smithsonian Institution)
                            
                            .