Socio-economic tools to mitigate the impacts of ocean acidification on economies and communities reliant on coral reefs — a framework for prioritization

Anthropogenic Threats to Ecosystem Services of Maldivian Coral Reefs: Current Policies and Solutions

“…Around three billion people around the world rely on coral reefs for income, nutrition, and other ecosystem services (Hilmi et al, 2019). Coral reefs are vital for coastal regions and low-lying island nation communities, especially for indigenous people in developing nations like the Maldives.…”

“…Reefs also provide livelihood and income for many people as they attract tourists, providing employment opportunities for residents of coastal communities. Coral reefs also provide food to more than half a billion people (Hilmi et al, 2019) and the fisheries themselves can act as a source of income and industry for locals in the area. Reefs also provide recreation opportunities through snorkelling and diving.…”

What is it about coral reefs? Translation of ecosystem goods and services relevant to people and their well‐being

“…2018, Hilmia et al. 2019) increased fishing pressure (Edwards et al. 2014), and the addition of deleterious substances into watersheds and coastal waters (Gardner et al.…”

“…Coral reefs were sought out because of their extraordinary biological richness as well as the diverse ways in which people benefit from them. Coral reef ecosystems provide many different EGS that benefit people in diverse ways and have been the subject of increasing study ( Carturan et al 2018 , Darling et al 2019 , Hilmia et al 2019 , Williams et al 2019 , Woodhead et al 2019 ). Coral reef ecosystems provide many important IEGS and FEGS, such as recreational opportunities for snorkeling and diving, kayaking, sail- or motor-boating, and recreational and subsistence fishing in both developed and developing nations ( Moberg and Folke 1999 , Yee et al 2014 , 2015 ).…”

“…Protection of ecosystem benefits is important for coral reef managers; a priority heightened by the presence of rapidly increasing coastal human populations increased sea temperatures and ocean acidification ( Hughes et al 2018 , Hilmia et al 2019 ) increased fishing pressure ( Edwards et al 2014 ), and the addition of deleterious substances into watersheds and coastal waters ( Gardner et al 2003 , Pandolfi and Jackson 2006 ). Unprecedented losses of up to 90% of the world’s coral reefs are predicted by the mid-21st century ( Frieler et al 2013 , Hughes et al 2018 ).…”