The Context of Coral Reef Degradation and Loss

Abstract

The author begins chapter 2 with the general locations of warm water coral reefs (Australia and South Pacific; Southeast Asia; East Africa, and Indian Ocean; and in/around the Caribbean Sea) and outlines the specific countries that host warm water coral reefs. The author then provides an historical and current context of tropical coral reef degradation and loss. The author presents a more detailed discussion about the global factors contributing to degradation and loss (global climate change and ocean acidification), along with regional factors (natural disasters, pollution runoff, plastics, and overfishing) and local factors (noise pollution, disease, invasive species, and high-human traffic). The author then concludes with an explanation of why coral reefs are valuable, such as due to their provisioning, regulating, habitat or supporting, and cultural services.