A roadmap to integrating resilience into the practice of coral reef restoration
Mass coral bleaching driven by climate warming has accelerated global reef restoration, yet few projects integrate climate resilience. This study provides practical guidance to embed resilience principles into restoration planning, coral and site selection, and ecosystem context to improve reef recovery, resistance and adaptation in a warming world.
Subject Tags
- Reefs
- Ecosystem management
- Climate resilience
Abstract
Recent warm temperatures driven by climate change have caused mass coral bleaching and mortality across the world, prompting managers, policymakers, and conservation practitioners to embrace restoration as a strategy to sustain coral reefs. Despite a proliferation of new coral reef restoration efforts globally and increasing scientific recognition and research on interventions aimed at supporting reef resilience to climate impacts, few restoration programs are currently incorporating climate change and resilience in project design. As climate change will continue to degrade coral reefs for decades to come, guidance is needed to support managers and restoration practitioners to conduct restoration that promotes resilience through enhanced coral reef recovery, resistance, and adaptation. Here, we address this critical implementation gap by providing recommendations that integrate resilience principles into restoration design and practice, including for project planning and design, coral selection, site selection, and broader ecosystem context. We also discuss future opportunities to improve restoration methods to support enhanced outcomes for coral reefs in response to climate change. As coral reefs are one of the most vulnerable ecosystems to climate change, interventions that enhance reef resilience will help to ensure restoration efforts have a greater chance of success in a warming world. They are also more likely to provide essential contributions to global targets to protect natural biodiversity and the human communities that rely on reefs.
Citation
Shaver, E. C., McLeod, E., Hein, M. Y., Palumbi, S. R., Quigley, K., Vardi, T., ... & Wachenfeld, D. (2022). A roadmap to integrating resilience into the practice of coral reef restoration. Global Change Biology, 28(16), 4751-4764.
TNC Authors
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Elizabeth Shaver
Coral Conservation Program Manager. Caribbean
The Nature Conservancy
Email: elizabeth.shaver@tnc.org -
Elizabeth McLeod
Global Director, Oceans. Global Oceans
The Nature Conservancy
Email: emcleod@tnc.org