Climate change, pollution threat Persian Gulf coral reefs
Climate change, pollution threat Persian Gulf coral reefs Tehran Times
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The Persian Gulf’s Coral Reefs at Risk of Extinction
TEHRAN – The Persian Gulf’s unique marine habitat is home to about eight percent of the world’s coral reefs with more than 50 species, however, climate change, global warming, and pollution are pushing them toward extinction.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 14: Life Below Water
- Goal 13: Climate Action
- Goal 15: Life on Land
The Importance of Coral Reefs in the Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf has an area of about 241,000 square kilometers. Its length is approximately 990 km, and its width varies from a maximum of about 340 km to a minimum of 55 km in the Strait of Hormuz. It is a semi-closed sea, aging 15,000 years, with an average depth of 35 meters. The Persian Gulf experiences severe heat fluctuations and has an annual evaporation rate of 140 cm.
The diverse marine life in the Persian Gulf includes:
- More than 1,600 species of fish (about 500 species in the Persian Gulf and 1,142 species in the Sea of Oman)
- 15 species of shrimp
- 10 species of marine mammals
- 5 species of sea turtles
- More than 90 species of birds
- A wide variety of plankton
This rich biodiversity stresses the importance of conserving the marine ecosystems in the Persian Gulf.
The Threats to Coral Reefs in the Persian Gulf
A total of 111 coral species have been identified in the Persian Gulf, with 103 species found in the Iranian islands of the region. Coral reefs have suffered bleaching due to exposure to pollution and global warming, putting them at risk of completely disappearing if necessary measures are not taken.
The marine ecosystems in the Persian Gulf have been significantly impacted by:
- Environmental pollution, including industrial waste, oil spills, chemical effluents, and marine debris
- Climate change effects like rising temperatures and seawater acidification
These factors have led to severe damage to the marine habitats in the region.
The Impact of Human Activities
Human activities such as coastal development, dredging, overfishing, and exploitation of marine resources, along with climate change impacts, have resulted in the destruction and loss of coral reefs and reduced biodiversity in the Persian Gulf.
Over a span of 22 years, various human activities like land reclamation, discharge of urban and industrial wastewater, port construction, vessel traffic, fishing, road building, population growth, and tourism have contributed to the degradation of marine ecosystems in the region.
Conservation Efforts
Efforts to protect the valuable marine ecosystem in the Persian Gulf include:
- Updating the list of endangered marine species
- Expanding restoration efforts for wetland habitats and coral reefs
- Implementing conservation measures in a wider area to safeguard these vulnerable ecosystems
It is crucial to take action to address the threats facing coral reefs in the Persian Gulf and work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals related to life below water, climate action, and life on land.
MT/MG
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | Target 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts | Indicator 14.2.1: Proportion of national exclusive economic zones managed using ecosystem-based approaches |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning | Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning measures into national policies, strategies, or planning |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements | Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 14: Life Below Water
The article discusses the threats faced by coral reefs in the Persian Gulf due to climate change, global warming, and pollution. SDG 14 aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.
SDG 13: Climate Action
The article mentions the impact of climate change on coral reefs and the marine ecosystems in the Persian Gulf. SDG 13 focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
SDG 15: Life on Land
Although the article primarily focuses on marine ecosystems, it briefly mentions the importance of conserving terrestrial ecosystems like wetlands. SDG 15 aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts
The article highlights the need to protect coral reefs and marine habitats in the Persian Gulf from pollution, global warming, and other human activities.
Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning
The article emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about climate change impacts on coral reefs and implementing measures to mitigate these impacts.
Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services
Although not the main focus of the article, it briefly mentions the need for restoration efforts for wetland habitats. This aligns with the target of conserving and restoring terrestrial ecosystems.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article does not explicitly mention any indicators related to the identified targets. However, based on the content, the following indicators can be used:
Indicator 14.2.1: Proportion of national exclusive economic zones managed using ecosystem-based approaches
This indicator can measure the extent to which ecosystem-based approaches are being used to manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems in the Persian Gulf.
Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning measures into national policies, strategies, or planning
This indicator can assess the level of integration of climate change mitigation, adaptation, and impact reduction measures into national policies and strategies in the Persian Gulf region.
Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area
Although not directly mentioned in the article, this indicator can be used to measure the conservation and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems, including wetlands, in the Persian Gulf region.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | Target 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts | Indicator 14.2.1: Proportion of national exclusive economic zones managed using ecosystem-based approaches |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning | Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning measures into national policies, strategies, or planning |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements | Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area |
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Fuente: tehrantimes.com
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