Coral Triangle: The giant hidden ‘Amazon’ beneath the sea that appears somewhat resilient to climate change – Live Science

The Coral Triangle: A Report on Biodiversity and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction to a Global Marine Epicenter

The Coral Triangle is a tropical marine region situated between the Pacific and Indian oceans, covering approximately 6 million square kilometers. Its territory encompasses the waters of the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and the Solomon Islands. Recognized as the “Amazon of the sea,” this area represents a critical global hub for marine biodiversity, the protection of which is fundamental to achieving key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Unparalleled Biodiversity and its Contribution to SDG 14 (Life Below Water)

The Coral Triangle’s ecological value is directly linked to the objectives of SDG 14 (Life Below Water), which aims to conserve and sustainably use marine resources. The region’s immense biodiversity underscores its importance in meeting global conservation targets.

• Coral Species: The region is home to 76% of the world’s known coral species, with 605 reef-building species. This is ten times the number found in the Caribbean Sea.
• Marine Fauna: It provides a critical habitat for 37% of the world’s coral reef fish species and six of the seven global sea turtle species.
• Marine Mammals: The ecosystem supports significant populations of marine mammals, including dolphins, dugongs, blue whales, and sperm whales.

This concentration of marine life makes the Coral Triangle a priority area for actions under SDG 14, particularly targets related to managing and protecting marine and coastal ecosystems.

Scientific Assessment of Regional Biodiversity

Scientific inquiry into the Coral Triangle’s exceptional diversity dates back to the work of Alfred Russel Wallace. Modern research provides several hypotheses for this phenomenon:

1. Geological and Oceanographic Factors: The region’s unique, platform-like geology at the intersection of two oceans creates a wide variety of habitats.
2. Climatic Stability: Unlike temperate zones subjected to glaciations, the Coral Triangle has experienced relative environmental stability for over 20 million years, allowing diversity to accumulate over time.
3. Larval Dispersal: Ocean currents in the area provide optimal conditions for the dispersal of larvae, promoting genetic diversity and species distribution.
4. Environmental Conditions: Evidence suggests that the region’s comparatively murky waters may offer a protective haven for certain species, reducing light-induced stress.

Threats to the Ecosystem and Implications for SDG 13 and SDG 14

Despite its importance, the Coral Triangle faces significant threats that jeopardize progress toward SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water). The integrity of this ecosystem is under pressure from multiple anthropogenic sources.

• Climate Change: Rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification, direct consequences of global climate change, pose a severe threat to coral health and lead to bleaching events. Addressing this aligns directly with the goals of SDG 13.
• Overfishing: Unsustainable fishing practices deplete fish stocks, disrupting the marine food web and threatening the livelihoods of coastal communities that depend on these resources.
• Pollution: Runoff from coastal development and other land-based activities introduces pollutants that degrade water quality and harm marine life.

Conservation Imperatives and Future Outlook

The protection of the Coral Triangle is a global imperative. While some research suggests that corals in sediment-rich waters may exhibit greater resilience to bleaching, this does not diminish the urgent need for comprehensive conservation strategies. Protecting these reefs is not only vital for preserving biodiversity (SDG 14) but also for mitigating the impacts of climate change (SDG 13). As noted by researchers, these less-visible reefs may be critical for the future survival of marine ecosystems and warrant significant and immediate protection efforts in line with global sustainability targets.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the Coral Triangle primarily addresses and connects to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 14: Life Below Water: This is the most relevant SDG as the entire article focuses on a marine ecosystem, its biodiversity, the threats it faces (overfishing, pollution, ocean acidification), and the need for its conservation. The Coral Triangle is described as a critical marine region, home to a vast percentage of the world’s coral and fish species.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The article explicitly links the vulnerability of the Coral Triangle to “ocean acidification linked to climate change” and discusses how high temperatures induce “bleaching stress” in corals. This directly connects the health of this marine ecosystem to global climate action.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: Although the focus is marine, SDG 15 is relevant through its emphasis on halting biodiversity loss. The article describes the Coral Triangle as a “biodiversity hotspot” and the “Amazon of the sea,” highlighting its importance for global biodiversity. The threats mentioned contribute to the degradation of natural habitats and threaten species, which is a core concern of SDG 15.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds.
   • Explanation: The article identifies “pollution from coastal development” as a direct threat to the Coral Triangle, making this target highly relevant.
2. Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts.
   • Explanation: The article’s central theme is the description of the Coral Triangle’s unique ecosystem and the call from researchers to “protect this patch of ocean.” This aligns directly with the goal of protecting marine ecosystems.
3. Target 14.3: Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification.
   • Explanation: The text explicitly mentions “ocean acidification linked to climate change” as a key vulnerability for the region’s coral reefs.
4. Target 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing.
   • Explanation: “Overfishing” is listed as one of the primary threats facing the Coral Triangle, directly connecting the article’s content to this target.
5. Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
   • Explanation: The article details the staggering biodiversity of the region, including “76% of Earth’s coral species” and “six of the world’s seven sea turtle species.” The threats discussed lead to the degradation of this critical habitat and endanger these species, making this target applicable.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions and implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 14.2 (Proportion of national exclusive economic zones managed using ecosystem-based approaches) and Target 15.5 (Red List Index): The article provides specific biodiversity metrics that serve as baseline indicators of the ecosystem’s health. Progress would be measured by the stability or increase of these numbers.
  • The percentage of Earth’s coral species found in the region (stated as 76%).
  • The absolute number of reef-building coral species (stated as 605).
  • The percentage of the world’s coral reef fish species present (stated as 37%).
  • The number of sea turtle species present (stated as six out of seven).
• Indicator for Target 14.1 (Index of coastal eutrophication and floating plastic debris density): While not providing a specific value, the article implies the need for an indicator by mentioning “pollution from coastal development” as a threat. Measuring the levels of specific pollutants from coastal sources in the Coral Triangle would be the relevant indicator.
• Indicator for Target 14.3 (Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations): The article’s reference to “ocean acidification” as a threat implies the need to monitor the pH levels of the water in the Coral Triangle as a key indicator of ecosystem stress.
• Indicator for Target 14.4 (Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels): The mention of “overfishing” implies that the status of fish stocks in the region is a critical indicator. Measuring the proportion of fish stocks that are not overfished would track progress toward this target.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: livescience.com