Introduction
Aside from such clear statistics, the pages of this atlas
reveal a startling, recurring tale of degradation and loss.
Corals are extremely sensitive to increases in
temperature, exhibiting a stress response known as coral
bleaching. Records of such bleaching have increased
considerably in recent years, and in 1998 a global mass
bleaching event occurred, with devastating mass mortalities of corals in many areas. Recovery is now underway,
but there are very real concerns about the recurrence of
such events with global climate change.
In the Caribbean apparently natural damage from
disease and hurricanes has been exacerbated by the
impacts of human activities, and reefs have lost coral
cover and diversity in almost every country, even in many
apparently remote and protected locations.
In Southeast Asia burgeoning populations and rising
living standards are placmg untenable pressures on the
coral reefs, and many are succumbing, no longer able to
provide the fish and other resources which have supported
coastal populations for generations.
Even the more remote reefs worldwide are not secure.
In the past, remote atolls in the Pacific have been used for
testing nuclear weapons and for dumping waste, and even
today a number are still used for military target practice.
More widespread has been the impact of fisheries. In
many places traditional management and restraint has
enabled sustainable use of fish resources, but such
traditional systems are breaking down in some areas,
while better transport and high prices are driving stocks of
some target species towards complete disappearance, even
in quite remote locations.
The problems facing the world's reefs
Natural changes are a part of any ecosystem, and we are
still at the early stages of understanding the natural
dynamics of coral reefs. However, the 20th century saw
the near exponential growth of human populations,
combined with even more rapid increases in consumer
demands being placed on the planet's limited resources,
and such trends are set to continue through the 21st
century. Humans are thus bringing new pressures to bear
on the worlds coral reefs and driving more profound
changes, more rapidly, than any natural impact has ever
done. Overfishing has become so widespread that there
are few, if any, reefs in the world which are not threatened.
This, combined with such destructive practices as blast
fishing, is shifting the patterns and balances of life in
many reef ecosystems. From onshore a much greater suite
of damaging activities is taking place. Often remote from
reefs, deforestation, urban development and intensive
agriculture are now producing vast quantities of sediments
and pollutants which are pouring into the sea and rapidly
degrading coral reefs in close proximity to many shores.
The impacts of these activities affect not only the
reefs, but also the many millions of coastal peoples who
depend upon them for sustenance and income. In many
areas these changes are so rapid that we are unable to
document the existence of reefs before they are degraded.
We have no idea how much has already gone.
A further specter overshadowing the world of coral
reefs is that of global climate change. It is now universally
accepted that the global climate is changing at an accelerated rate as a result of human activities. Coral reefs, it
would appear, are among the most vulnerable ecosystems to
rising sea surface temperatures. Coming on top of the other
threats already mentioned, it seems highly probable that the
predicted rises in sea surface temperatures over the next
century may well cause the total demise of at least some of
these critical, valuable and beautiful ecosystems.
Faint glimmers of hope
As our knowledge and our concern about coral reefs is
increasing, so are the efforts to redress the problems.
Overfishing is a worldwide problem, and its most damaging impact is on the fishing communities themselves.
Thankfully, examples are now cropping up around the globe
of successful management efforts which can remedy the
problem. By setting aside small areas as "no-take" zones,
local communities are finding that there are enormous
benefits. Fish stocks build up in these zones and spill over
into the surrounding area such that the overall yield of fish
fi-om the wider area is increased. Everyone benefits.
Tourism has caused considerable damage, through the
unplanned coastal development and pollution which are so
often linked to it. The sewage systems of many hotels empty
directly into the waters where the guests swim, and the
damage to reefs can be considerable. Increasing awareness,
however, is leading to better controls on development and
major efforts to improve sewage treatment. As such
measures develop, tourism can become a force for good,
giving an added value to reefs in the eyes of the local
communities, and often providing a direct income, through
park fees, for the management of marine protected areas.
Most importantly, our increasing understanding of
the interactions between humans and reefs, and between
terrestrial activities and their downstream impacts in the
coastal zone, are allowing for the development of integrated
planning. We are aware of the problems, and have the
solutions. The challenge is to apply them.
Aside from such clear statistics, the pages of this atlas
reveal a startling, recurring tale of degradation and loss.
Corals are extremely sensitive to increases in
temperature, exhibiting a stress response known as coral
bleaching. Records of such bleaching have increased
considerably in recent years, and in 1998 a global mass
bleaching event occurred, with devastating mass mortalities of corals in many areas. Recovery is now underway,
but there are very real concerns about the recurrence of
such events with global climate change.
In the Caribbean apparently natural damage from
disease and hurricanes has been exacerbated by the
impacts of human activities, and reefs have lost coral
cover and diversity in almost every country, even in many
apparently remote and protected locations.
In Southeast Asia burgeoning populations and rising
living standards are placmg untenable pressures on the
coral reefs, and many are succumbing, no longer able to
provide the fish and other resources which have supported
coastal populations for generations.
Even the more remote reefs worldwide are not secure.
In the past, remote atolls in the Pacific have been used for
testing nuclear weapons and for dumping waste, and even
today a number are still used for military target practice.
More widespread has been the impact of fisheries. In
many places traditional management and restraint has
enabled sustainable use of fish resources, but such
traditional systems are breaking down in some areas,
while better transport and high prices are driving stocks of
some target species towards complete disappearance, even
in quite remote locations.
The problems facing the world's reefs
Natural changes are a part of any ecosystem, and we are
still at the early stages of understanding the natural
dynamics of coral reefs. However, the 20th century saw
the near exponential growth of human populations,
combined with even more rapid increases in consumer
demands being placed on the planet's limited resources,
and such trends are set to continue through the 21st
century. Humans are thus bringing new pressures to bear
on the worlds coral reefs and driving more profound
changes, more rapidly, than any natural impact has ever
done. Overfishing has become so widespread that there
are few, if any, reefs in the world which are not threatened.
This, combined with such destructive practices as blast
fishing, is shifting the patterns and balances of life in
many reef ecosystems. From onshore a much greater suite
of damaging activities is taking place. Often remote from
reefs, deforestation, urban development and intensive
agriculture are now producing vast quantities of sediments
and pollutants which are pouring into the sea and rapidly
degrading coral reefs in close proximity to many shores.
The impacts of these activities affect not only the
reefs, but also the many millions of coastal peoples who
depend upon them for sustenance and income. In many
areas these changes are so rapid that we are unable to
document the existence of reefs before they are degraded.
We have no idea how much has already gone.
A further specter overshadowing the world of coral
reefs is that of global climate change. It is now universally
accepted that the global climate is changing at an accelerated rate as a result of human activities. Coral reefs, it
would appear, are among the most vulnerable ecosystems to
rising sea surface temperatures. Coming on top of the other
threats already mentioned, it seems highly probable that the
predicted rises in sea surface temperatures over the next
century may well cause the total demise of at least some of
these critical, valuable and beautiful ecosystems.
Faint glimmers of hope
As our knowledge and our concern about coral reefs is
increasing, so are the efforts to redress the problems.
Overfishing is a worldwide problem, and its most damaging impact is on the fishing communities themselves.
Thankfully, examples are now cropping up around the globe
of successful management efforts which can remedy the
problem. By setting aside small areas as "no-take" zones,
local communities are finding that there are enormous
benefits. Fish stocks build up in these zones and spill over
into the surrounding area such that the overall yield of fish
fi-om the wider area is increased. Everyone benefits.
Tourism has caused considerable damage, through the
unplanned coastal development and pollution which are so
often linked to it. The sewage systems of many hotels empty
directly into the waters where the guests swim, and the
damage to reefs can be considerable. Increasing awareness,
however, is leading to better controls on development and
major efforts to improve sewage treatment. As such
measures develop, tourism can become a force for good,
giving an added value to reefs in the eyes of the local
communities, and often providing a direct income, through
park fees, for the management of marine protected areas.
Most importantly, our increasing understanding of
the interactions between humans and reefs, and between
terrestrial activities and their downstream impacts in the
coastal zone, are allowing for the development of integrated
planning. We are aware of the problems, and have the
solutions. The challenge is to apply them.