Topic: oceans

Threats to coral reefs from marine-based sources were evaluated based on distance to ports (stratified by size), intensity of cruise ship visitation, and distance to oil and gas infrastructure, proces

When corals undergo certain kinds of stress, much of the zooxanthellae – the symbiotic algae that provide coral polyps with nutrients – are expelled from the coral tissue.

About 9 percent of the world’s mapped reefs are found in this region, most of which are located along the Central American coast and off the Caribbean islands.

Over 80 percent of the reefs in this region are at risk, and over half (56 percent) are at high risk.

The Reefs at Risk Threat Index identified about one-tenth of Caribbean coral reefs at very high levels of threat, one-third at high threat, one-fifth at medium threat, and one-third at low threat.

The relative stability of St. Lucia’s shoreline was evaluated using the coastal protection framework developed by IMA and WRI.

The relative stability of Tobago’s shoreline was evaluated using the coastal protection framework developed by IMA and WRI.

Much of St. Lucia’s coastline is bordered by near shore, fringing reefs.

Much of Tobago’s coastline is bordered by near shore, fringing reefs. Southwest Tobago is characterized by a lagoonal system enclosed by the Buccoo Reef.

The definition of “land vulnerable to wave-induced erosion and storm damage” is based on expected wave heights and storm surge associated with a 25-year storm event, adjusted to be precautionary in li

The definition of “land vulnerable to wave-induced erosion and storm damage” is based on expected wave heights and storm surge associated with a 25-year storm event, adjusted to be precautionary in li

Coral reef data for St. Lucia come from the Millennium Coral Reef Mapping Project, the University of the West Indies, and the Government of St. Lucia. Integrated at WRI.