CORAL COVER LOSS ON A GLOBAL SCALE: A BIOGEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF REEF DECLINE UNDER MULTIPLE STRESSORS

• Grant number: 24/10846-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: April 01, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Oceanography - Biological Oceanography
• Principal Investigator: Miguel Mies
• Grantee: Daniela Fernanda Brochero Giraldo
• Host Institution: Instituto Oceanográfico (IO). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Reef ecosystems are critically important for their biodiversity and economic value, providing essential services such as fisheries, tourism, and coastal protection. However, these ecosystems are under severe threat due to both global and local stressors, such as climate change, ocean acidification, pollution, overfishing, and unregulated tourism. Despite extensive research on coral reef stressors and coral cover loss, there is a lack of quantification regarding the relative contributions of each stressor and geographic variations on a global scale. Therefore, this project aims to address this gap by evaluating differences in coral cover loss across various biogeographic regions through a comprehensive literature review. This data will be compared across biogeographic zones and will help identify areas more susceptible to coral loss and potential climate refugia. Understanding these patterns is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies and policies to protect these ecosystems.