Bright and Dark Spots in Our Reefs

A study recently published on Nature reveals the different conditions that had the largest effect on coral reef biomass. In contrast to previous approaches dedicated to conserving our biodiversity, this study focused on the relationship between reefs inhabited by humans and affected by them.

The survey took into account 2,514 different coral reefs from 46 different nations and "quantified how reef fish biomass was related to distal social drivers." In other words, it was entirely dedicated to quantifying the relationship between the cultures living in those areas and the state of the coral reef. Using this data, they discovered 50 outliers and categorized these as either, "bright spots," or "dark spots." 15 of these 50 outliers were considered bright spots and were mainly concentrated in southeast Asia.

Several common characteristics of every bright spot were limitations set in place by the community that required certain papers in order to fish, and human relegation of the fishing process in cooperation with techniques that were more sustainable. According to the study, "dark spots were distinguished by having fishing technologies allowing for more intensive exploitation." Not only that, but there seemed to be a correlation between markets in the area and the reef health.

The study suggests that governments in the future adapt policies and techniques used in the bright spots in order to preserve not only reefs untouched by humans but reefs where humans may coexist as well.

Sources: Coral Reefs Doing Better Than Expected in Many Areas, Bright Spots Among the World's Coral Reefs

#sustainability #coralreefs #biodiversity