What is Reefs at Risk?
Reefs at Risk: A Map-Based Indicator of Threats to the World’s Coral Reefs was the first global, quantitative assessment of threats to coral reefs ever conducted. Released in 1998, Reefs at Risk confirmed that coral reefs are seriously threatened in most parts of the world, clearly identified the human activities contributing to this threat, and called for global action.
What has been the impact of Reefs at Risk?
Throughout the last decade, WRI’s acclaimed Reefs at Risk series - including regional analyses for Southeast Asia and the Caribbean, and local analyses for Sabah, Malaysia and Belize - has stimulated public awareness and interest, political debate, policy development, and scientific discourse. The series has shown decision-makers, politicians and the public where energy and resources must focus to reduce critical threats. Most importantly, the assessments have served to spark an increase in research and conservation investments, and have been used to set regional and local priorities - such as in Sabah, where our analysis aided the development of legislation restricting coastal development.
Reefs at Risk Revisited: Why Now?
Since the 1998 release of the pivotal Reefs at Risk, the world’s coral reefs have dramatically changed. Despite promising research, conservation and policy efforts, many prompted by Reefs at Risk, we have witnessed an unprecedented decline in these fragile ecosystems.
Powerful hurricanes and tsunamis, increased pollution, coral bleaching and disease have all led to this decline in reef health. Coral bleaching was not factored in to the original Reefs at Risk model, and yet it now represents one of the most pressing threats to coral reefs worldwide.
The world is more ready than ever to take action. Climate change and its effects have risen high on national agendas; natural disasters have called attention to the critical link between marine ecosystems and the safety of our shorelines and coastal populations; and countries have begun to link ecosystem health with poverty and are looking at their coral reef assets as a source of wealth and long-term prosperity. However, more information is needed to guide that action.
What will Reefs at Risk Revisited do?
WRI, the International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN), and the United Nations Environmental Programme-World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) are leading a world-class collaboration in a global, map-based analysis of threats to the world’s coral reefs. This update of the influential 1998 analysis will use improved modeling methods and higher-resolution data to provide a detailed examination of human pressures on coral reefs, implications for reef condition, and projections of associated economic impacts in coastal communities. This analysis will be 20 times more detailed than the original Reefs at Risk and will also include climate-related threats, such as coral bleaching and ocean acidification.
Reefs at Risk Revisited will raise public awareness to the location and severity of threats to coral reefs, and catalyze targeted, responsible, and informed decisions that protect coral reefs and the broad range of benefits they provide to people.
Reefs at Risk Revisited will show decision-makers, politicians and the public where to focus energy and resources to address critical threats, and will inform bilateral, regional and international bodies as they seek ways to help coordinate and finance these efforts. It will support conservation priority setting, constructive public and private alliances, and better private and public policy; and will highlight the value of investment in effective coastal management.
Financial support
- The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
- The Roy Disney Family Foundation
- The Marisla Foundation
- WRI Strategic Opportunity Fund
- U.S. Department of the Interior
- National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
- The Chino Cienega Foundation
- Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- The Henry Foundation
- The Ocean Foundation
Partners
- International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN)
- UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC)
- The Nature Conservancy
- Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN)
- Reef Check
- WorldFish Center
- Conservation International
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- International Society for Reef Studies (ISRS)
- World Wildlife Fund
- National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS)
- Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
- Coral Reef Degradation in the Indian Ocean (CORDIO)
- Oceana
- Coral Reef Initiatives for the Pacific (CRISP)
- University of the South Pacific
- L’Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement (IRD)
- International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
- Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA)
Other partners to be added based on discussions.
Who should I contact for more information?
Reefs at Risk Revisited was launched in July 2008. We invite your feedback, comments and participation. For further information on Reefs at Risk Revisited, our goals, strategy and partnership, and how you can become a part of this innovative and exciting undertaking, please contact:
Lauretta Burke - Senior Associate, WRI - +1 (202) 729-7774
