Marine reserves contribute half of the larval supply to a coral reef fishery
Great Barrier Reef no‑take reserves boost fish size, egg production, and larval supply, sustaining biodiversity and supporting long‑term fishery yields.
Hybrid coral reef restoration can be a cost-effective nature-based solution to provide protection to vulnerable coastal populations
Hybrid coral reef restoration reduces coastal flooding, protects vulnerable communities, and delivers cost‑effective climate resilience in Florida and Puerto Rico.
Restoration of herbivory on Caribbean coral reefs: are fishes, urchins, or crabs the solution?
Climate change is likely to enhance macro-algal growth and reduce fish size, making the role of invertebrate grazers even more critical. Strategies should combine ecological understanding with climate action, prioritize protection of wild populations, and use adaptive, site-specific approaches.
First record of a second invasive soft coral species, Latissimia ningalooensis, in southern Puerto Rico
This study reports the detection of a new invasive soft coral species in Puerto Rico: Latissimia ningalooensis, originally native to Australia. First observed in March 2024, this is the second invasive soft coral species reported in Puerto Rico in under six months, following Xenia umbellata in October 2023.
Incentive diversity is key to the more effective and equitable governance of marine protected areas
The research indicates that there is no single “magic wand” incentive or “one size fits all” combination of incentives that guarantees effectiveness and equity, as each MPA represents a complex and unique social-ecological system. Instead, to maximize effectiveness and promote equity, managers should include a diverse range of appropriate incentives drawn from all five categories, representing a combination of governance approaches. Recognizing the inter-dependencies between social and ecological systems, the research concludes “that the key to resilience is diversity, both of species in ecosystems and incentives in governance systems.”
Six decades of global coral bleaching monitoring: a review of methods and call for enhanced standardization and coordination
Mass coral bleaching has caused widespread reef loss, highlighting the need for a globally coordinated monitoring system. This review analyzes 60 years of bleaching data, drawing from three global databases (1963–2022) and a survey of reef managers and scientists. The findings highlight major gaps in standardization, geographic coverage, and data consistency within monitoring efforts—factors that limit the ability to understand the drivers of bleaching, inform management decisions and track long-term trends to influence global policies.
Human well-being outcomes of large-scale marine protected areas
This study reviews existing literature on LSMPAs to assess their impact on human well-being using the 4-C well-being framework, which categorizes well-being as it relates to people’s connections, context, capabilities, and cross-cutting issues
Examining variations in functional homogeneity in herbivorous coral reef fishes in Pacific Islands experiencing a range of human impacts
Focus on conserving herbivore diversity, emphasizing the protection of specialized species to maintain functional diversity within the ecosystem. Continuously monitor and manage human stressors, including pollution, overfishing, and habitat degradation. Understanding the specific impacts of these stressors on herbivorous fish communities will enable targeted interventions to mitigate their effects.
Diversification of refugia types needed to secure the future of coral reefs subject to climate change
To create a more effective conservation strategy, the authors highlight the need for a better understanding of coral resistance and recovery dynamics at local scales, the use of a broader range of environmental metrics, and more empirical testing of models against field data on coral cover and community composition.
Ocean protection quality is lagging behind quantity: Applying a scientific framework to assess real marine protected area progress against the 30 by 30 target
MPA planning should prioritize ecologically diverse and biogeographically representative areas, especially near human populations. Achieving the “30 by 30” target requires not only increasing MPA coverage but also ensuring the quality and representativeness of protection.
Emergent increase in coral thermal tolerance reduces mass bleaching under climate change
Managers face significant challenges in combating SCTLD due to the limited understanding of its cause, transmission mechanisms, and effective treatments. This review synthesizes current knowledge to help guide efforts in mitigating the impacts of this disease.
Stony coral tissue loss disease: a review of emergence, impacts, etiology, diagnostics, and intervention
Managers face significant challenges in combating SCTLD due to the limited understanding of its cause, transmission mechanisms, and effective treatments. This review synthesizes current knowledge to help guide efforts in mitigating the impacts of this disease.
Restoration as a meaningful aid to ecological recovery of coral reefs
The authors highlight the difference between “ecological restoration” (hands-on recovery efforts) and “restoration ecology” (the science behind these efforts). They recommend integrating restoration into a broader resilience-based management strategy for coral reefs, with clear goals and evaluations to avoid misinterpretation of success and viability.
Sea-weeding: manual removal of macroalgae facilitates rapid coral recovery
This low-tech, high-impact method can be integrated into local reef management strategies and can be done using volunteer divers with minimal training.
