Coral reefs include some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. These reefs provide habitats to a multitude of different organisms that fulfil specialised ecological roles. Each role significantly contributes to maintaining a balanced and healthy reef ecosystem where biodiversity can thrive.
In recent years, coral reefs have shown significant levels of stress as a result of increased anthropogenic (human) activity. This has often been associated with global warming, ocean acidification, pollution, coastal development and tourism. Coral cover has drastically reduced on several reefs across the world, with the loss of entire reefs occurring in certain areas. Overfishing and unsustainable harvesting has also led to a decline in fish and invertebrate populations, having serious consequences on the health and biodiversity of coral reefs through the loss of important ecological interactions.
The Roctopus ecoTrust monitor trends in reef health and biodiversity of local reef ecosystems by gathering quantitative and qualitative information from a range of different organisms and abiotic (environmental) factors within a particular area.
Reef health assessments that collect data from a number of different biotic (living) and abiotic factors allow correlations to be made between trends that develop over time. This is often useful when identifying interactions that occur between organisms and their environment, or interactions that occur between different species. This often provides useful insight into the direct and indirect effects caused by disturbance to a reef ecosystem. Information gathered from this project helps to identify factors associated with reef health, as well as the threats that coral reefs surrounding Koh Tao are subject to. These reef health assessments help to inform effective management strategies in areas that require restoration, protection and conservation.
Reef health assessments that collect data from a number of different biotic (living) and abiotic factors allow correlations to be made between trends that develop over time. This is often useful when identifying interactions that occur between organisms and their environment, or interactions that occur between different species. This often provides useful insight into the direct and indirect effects caused by disturbance to a reef ecosystem. Information gathered from this project helps to identify factors associated with reef health, as well as the threats that coral reefs surrounding Koh Tao are subject to. These reef health assessments help to inform effective management strategies in areas that require restoration, protection and conservation.
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