Wave of Change’s Post

There are a lot of different approaches and strategies being used across the globe to help restore and protect coral reefs. But what is ecosystem-based coral reef restoration? Through an integrated approach, ecosystem-based coral reef restoration aims at restoring the health and functionality of coral reef ecosystems by going beyond just transplanting corals; it considers the entire ecosystem, including the physical, biological, and socio-economic components of how that ecosystem functions. By considering the entire ecosystem and involving local communities, ecosystem-based coral reef restoration aims to create resilient and sustainable coral reef systems that can withstand future environmental changes. Join us tomorrow (Sepetember 4th) to learn how TNC and partners are using this strategy to help Caribbean reefs! Come learn with us and scan the QR code in the image to sign-up. Or click the link directly https://lnkd.in/eBS-Eu6w to join the conversation! #coralreefrestoration #coralreefconservation #coralreefs #webinar #natureconservation #marinemanagement #thecaribbean

Discover the Vital Role of Coral Reefs: A Spotlight on Cozumel Dive into the mesmerizing underwater world of Cozumel, home to one of the most vibrant coral reefs on the planet. In this blog, we explore the critical importance of these delicate ecosystems, their contribution to marine biodiversity, and why Cozumel’s reef stands out on the global stage. Join us as we unveil the beauty and significance of coral reefs, and understand the urgent need to protect these underwater treasures.

The garden has yet started .....what a good start in January 2024. Ocean conservation with resilient corals to revive reef ecosystems. Coral reefs are amongst the most biodiverse ecosystems on earth. The impact by human activities and climate change is very significant. We have lost 50% of the planets coral reefs in the past 30 years. So i feel that we have to do everything we can do and share the message as rthis could be the first ecosystem to collapse in our lifetime. Hollistic ecosystem restoration flows into the entire reef community, revitalizing all life within the marine environment to support its longterm health.

𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵: 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁! 🪸 We all know our oceans are fragile and coral reproduction is slow but coral spawning is a fascinating and vital event for marine ecosystems, particularly on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. This phenomenon typically occurs around November and December, coinciding with the full moon, when conditions like water temperature and lunar cycles align perfectly. During coral spawning, many species of coral release eggs and sperm into the water simultaneously, creating a spectacular underwater display. This event is crucial for reproduction and the genetic diversity of coral populations. The fertilized eggs develop into larvae, which eventually settle and form new coral colonies. The timing of the spawning can vary slightly each year based on environmental factors, but it's a remarkable sight for divers and marine enthusiasts. It's also a critical moment for conservation efforts, as coral reefs face significant threats from climate change, pollution, and overfishing. Understanding and protecting these spawning events is vital for maintaining the health of these ecosystems. Our teams will be helping out again this year with deployment of coral spawn to degraded sections of reef. If you're planning to witness this event, be sure to check local resources for the best times and locations. It’s an incredible opportunity to appreciate the beauty and complexity of marine life! and then tell everyone about it! 📸 Bluey's photography Curious to join our next survey or event? Sign up for our E-newsletter and follow us on socials for updates on upcoming activities. 💙 Get involved today www.reefcheckaustralia.org #ReefMonitoring #ProtectOurReefs #VolunteerForOceans #SunshineCoastMarine #TogetherForOurOceans #MarineConservation

CORAL REEF NEWS: Making Coral Reef Destruction a Human Rights Issue Could Aid Conservation, Say Researchers A human rights-based approach to coral reef protection could ensure governments are held to account for safeguarding marine ecosystems and empower local and Indigenous communities to demand sustainable solutions and climate justice, a new study suggests. An estimated one billion people rely on healthy coral reefs globally for food security, coastal protection and income from tourism and other services. If reefs and their ecosystems are lost, the impact on human health and economic wellbeing would be catastrophic. Lead author, Dr Emma Camp from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), said the window of opportunity to conserve coral reefs is rapidly closing and despite numerous protective measures, coral reefs around the world continue to degrade. Read full story here: https://lnkd.in/ekGfWAwj #coralreefs #coralnews #humanrights #conservation #restoration #coral #habitatloss #coraldegradation #coralhealth #marineecology #marinebiology

For Day 3 of #CoralReefAwarenessWeek, we turn our focus to Cashes Ledge, a hidden gem 90 miles off the coast of Maine. This underwater mountain range harbors the largest deep-sea, cold-water kelp forest on the Eastern seaboard, supporting rare species and commercially important fish like Haddock and Atlantic Cod. As the Gulf of Maine warms faster than 97% of other bodies of water, protecting Cashes Ledge is crucial for maintaining ecological stability amidst rising temperatures. Cashes Ledge is not only home to kelp forests but also supports diverse coral species. Cold-water corals like those found here are crucial for providing habitat and nursery grounds for various marine species. These corals thrive in the nutrient-rich waters around the Ledge, creating a vibrant underwater ecosystem that rivals tropical coral reefs in complexity and importance. Some of the species that call Cashes Ledge Home include cod (including an unusual “red” cod), big clusters of sea anemones, delicate feather stars called crinoids, and rare sponges and sea squirts typical of sub-arctic areas of Scandinavia. The unique combination of kelp forests and coral habitats makes Cashes Ledge an irreplaceable biodiversity hotspot. The corals, along with the kelp, contribute to the area's high productivity and serve as a refuge for marine life stressed by climate change. This ecological haven is a living laboratory for scientists studying the impacts of warming seas on cold-water ecosystems. You can contribute to further protecting Cashes Ledge and nominating it was a Marine Protected Area. If your interested, I urge you to sign the link below in support - it takes less than a minute. https://lnkd.in/gJryBxw9 Sources: Cashes Ledge, Coral Canyons, and the Future of National Marine Monuments: https://lnkd.in/gc6wQczs) Cashes Ledge: https://lnkd.in/gk3J29im Exploring a Unique Biodiversity Hotspot In the Gulf of Maine: https://lnkd.in/gb7UX4hW. Photo Credit: Waitt Foundation (https://lnkd.in/gspD9uqX)

This is some fantastic research highlighting the unequivocal link between anthropogenic climate change and the loss of human rights through mass degradation of coral reefs - empowering land nations through legal channels might be a much needed approach start generating critical revenue in the battle to save our reefs.

On the Ulithi atoll, in the Federated States of Micronesia, some reefs are struggling with a different kind of ecological shift: getting smothered by a single type of weedy coral. https://lnkd.in/dfFVCTym

🪸How are local communities adapting to coral reef decline?🪸 Corals are not only structurally important for other marine organisms. Apart from serving as nurseries, shelters, and feeding and reproduction grounds for about a quarter of marine species, corals are essential to humans, impacting at least 500 million people on the planet – some estimates point to 1 billion people. As coral cover declines around the globe, local coastal communities that strictly depend on these ecosystems are greatly affected, experiencing negative economic, social, environmental, and well-being impacts. One such example is the decrease in fish stocks, cascading from coral reef degradation. Fishers are thus forced to fish further from the coast. Unfortunately, fishers are often not properly equipped to move to deeper ocean areas, compromising their daily life and subsistence. How can we solve this? Addressing these impacts requires a comprehensive approach that includes the upscale of science and technology, conservation and restoration of coral reefs, sustainable economic development, and support for community adaptation and resilience-building efforts. International cooperation and collaborative research, effective policies, and local engagement are crucial to mitigating the negative effects of coral decline on vulnerable coastal communities. We asked a group of coral scientists from the Global South how their communities are responding to the rapid decline of coral cover. Watch the video to find out! Do you live close to coral reefs? Is your community being affected by coral cover loss? We want to hear from you! By saving corals, we help save humans. Learn more about how CORDAP is funding science that can secure a safe future for corals at cordap.org Featuring: Cilun Djakiman, Affendi Yang Amri, Joshua Wambugu, Phanor Montoya-Maya

#SundaySpecies Coral Spawning: This is how corals reproduce 🪸 Coral spawning is a once-a-year natural phenomenon where corals release eggs and sperm into the water simultaneously. This synchronized event ensures the continuation of coral reefs, one of the planet's most biodiverse and valuable ecosystems. Coral reefs are crucial, providing coastal protection, tourism, and livelihoods for over a billion people, with services valued at up to $9.9 trillion annually! As part of the #OceanDecade, scientiests across the globe are developing and implementing projects to protect and restore coral reefs, such as the "Pacific Coral Reef Action Science and Knowledge". Led by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in Samoa, this initiative aims to support Pacific Island countries in building resilience for coral reefs. It focuses on eight key action areas to manage and protect the 25% of the world's coral reefs within their jurisdiction. 👉 https://ow.ly/A5Zk50S44Y7 🎥: Gabriel Guzman | underwater_images #WorldReefDay #WorldReefAwarenessDay