학술논문

Restoration as a meaningful aid to ecological recovery of coral reefs
Document Type
article
Source
npj Ocean Sustainability, Vol 3, Iss 1, Pp 1-4 (2024)
Subject
Oceanography
GC1-1581
Environmental sciences
GE1-350
Language
English
ISSN
2731-426X
Abstract
Restoration supports the recovery of ecological attributes such as cover, complexity, and diversity to slow the areal decline of natural ecosystems. Restoration activity is intensifying worldwide to combat persistent stressors that are driving global declines to the extent and resilience of coral reefs. However, restoration is disputed as a meaningful aid to reef ecological recovery, often as an expensive distraction to addressing the root causes of reef loss. We contend this dispute partly stems from inferences drawn from small-scale experimental restoration outcomes amplified by misconceptions around cost-based reasoning. Alongside aggressive emissions reductions, we advocate urgent investment in coral reef ecosystem restoration as part of the management toolbox to combat the destruction of reefs as we know them within decades.