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The Crucial Role of Coral Reefs in Small Island States

Coral reefs are vital components of ecosystems, especially for small island states (SIDS), where 40% of the world's coral reefs are located. They serve as essential habitats for diverse marine life and act as natural barriers protecting islands from erosion and extreme weather. However, these ecosystems face severe threats from human activities, climate change, and natural events. Understanding the interconnectedness of coral reefs and islands is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies. Sustainable development in these regions is dependent on preserving coral reef health.

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The Crucial Role of Coral Reefs in Small Island States

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  1. Small Island States Why are Coral Reefs Important to us? Rolph Payet, 2003

  2. From Where ? • Coral Reefs or Islands- which came first? Volcanic Islands – Fringing/Barrier Reefs…....Atolls Coral Islands – Carbonate deposits, sand cays and Reefs Granitic Islands – Fringing reefs There is still a number of unanswered questions and theories, however it is clear that: many islands would not exist without corals, and reefs would not be as wide spread without islands.

  3. Global Importance • Diversity of coral reefs are much higher around islands than along continental coasts • Islands are important stepping stones in maintaining global populations and diversity of reefs • 40 % of the worlds coral reefs are found around islands • 60,000 km2, or 21% of global total of coral reefs areas lie within SIDS

  4. Living Coral = Island Life

  5. Dead Coral = Island Poverty • Major Threats to Coral Reefs • Direct Human – Pollution, Sedimentation, Destructive Fishing, Diseases, Reclamation • Indirect Human – Climate Change, Bleaching, Invasive Species • Natural – UV, Long-term Cycles in the earth’s system

  6. Island State Reef Mortality Reef Mortality Reefs at Risk Indicator Regional Summary Pre - 1998 Post - 1998 (bleaching event) Low Medium High Caribbean 21% 1% 39% 32% 29% Highest risk due to direct impacts Barbados 43% Trinidad & Tobago - 1 - 2% ~4% Indian Ocean 13% 46% 46% 29% 25% Highest risk due to elevated sea - surface temperatures (SST) Comoros - 40 - 50% Maur itius - 15% Maldives ~4% 60 - 90% Seychelles 5% 50 - 90% Pacific 4% 5% 59% 31% 10% Relatively unaffected but at risk form live coral trade and SST Federal States of Micronesia - 5% Palau - ~50% Source: Wilkinson 200,2002; Brya nt et al. 1998 ; Linden et al. (CORDIO) 2002) ; Goreau et al., 2000 . Status of Reefs in SIDS

  7. Why a resolution ? • Recognise the importance of coral reefs to islands • Continued increase in direct threats through lack of political will, capacity and monitoring • Continued increase in indirect threats through lack of global consensus to address the issue of climate change • Sustainable development is directly hampered by degradation of coral reefs

  8. Resolution Overview • Call upon SIDS to endorse and implement ICRI’s Call to Action • Put in place measures to address coral reef degradation • Improve knowledge on the state of reefs • Recognise the interconnectedness of coral reef populations and designing representative protected areas networks • Develop national capacities • Call upon the international community to support tangible coral reef initiatives in Small Island States

  9. Next Steps • Adoption by ICRI of the Small Island States Resolution; • Presentation of the Adopted Resolution at the 2nd Regional AIMS group meeting in early January in Seychelles; • Insertion of the resolution in the BPOA+10 Work programme/theme at the Final Inter-Regional Meeting for the SIDS; • Discussion and presentation of the resolution to CBD COP in Malaysia (March ?); • Adoption of the Resolution at the SIDS meeting in Mauritius, mid-2004

  10. Coral Reef at the Centre of Development in Seychelles Credits: Roger Bour

  11. Coral Reef set aside as World Heritage in Seychelles Credits: Roger Bour

  12. Thank you

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