Coral Reefs ‘Vital To Biodiversity’ February 28, 2012 by lukesheppard

Marine biodiversity in the Asia-Pacific region is dependant on the strongly linked network of coral reefs of the south China sea, West Pacific and Coral Triangle, research has suggested. Coral and fish larvae from the South China Sea and Solomon Islands are transported to the richest marine region on the planet – the Coral Triangle between Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines – by water currents. These larvae play a major role in preserving fish and marine resources in the region, a team of experts from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and James Cook University has shown.

Lead researcher Dr Johnathan Kool said: “Maintaining the network of links between reefs allowing larvae to flow between them and re-stock depleted areas, is key to saving coral ecosystems threatened by human pressure and climate change.” Dr Kool urged all coastal countries of the Asia Pacific region to join forces to protect coral reefs because recent evidence shows they greatly influence the area’s marine environment. He added: “The science shows the region’s natural resources are closely interconnected. Nations need to co-operate to look after them – and that begins with recognising the resources are at risk and that collective action is needed to protect them.”