hilippine coral
reefs are marine ecosystems that we cannot afford to lose as a consequence of
ocean warming because they yield as much as 15-30 tons of fish per square
kilometer annually and are prime tourist attractions that provide income to
coastal communities. Already a larger proportion of Philippine coral reefs have
been lost due to non-climate change factors such as destructive fish methods.
If coastal sea water rises by three degrees or more for long
periods of time in the near future, coral bleaching would certainly occur
resulting in the death of shallow-water species. Since the highest species
diversity of reef-forming corals is found at depths 0-10 meters, one would
expect that the impact of ocean warming on coral reefs may be expected at this
depth. Death of corals would be followed by reduction or extirpation of
reef-associated marine species such as fish, which in turn would certainly
reduce fishery yields and make life harder for fisher communities.
Therefore planning for mitigation measures for ensuring
survival of coral reefs in the face of climate change is in order. The following
activities are suggested:
The first step is to conduct a survey of shallow and deep
reefs located in the area of concern. In the event of ocean warming, shallow
reefs are expected to show the warming effects soonest, but deeper reefs beyond
10 meters may not be affected especially in areas of upwelling where cool water
tends to move upward to the surface. Such reefs would probably survive and serve
as sources of larval recruits for shallow reefs.
The second step is to get some idea of water circulation in
the study area by knowing the direction of water currents in order to identify
the source and the recipient reefs for coral larvae. The location of these reefs
needs to be charted.
The third step is to study carefully the species composition
of the source and the recipient coral reefs to be sure that these two reef
communities are more or less similar. This implies that the larvae from the
source reefs would probably survive in the recipient reefs. A limitation of this
proposal is that it would only be successful if larvae from deeper reefs would
survive after settling in the shallow, affected reefs.
The fourth step is to put the survey data together and design
a plan to protect the deeper reefs that could serve as source of coral larval
recruits for the shallow reefs that succumb to high water temperatures. The plan
should include the full participation of fishers and local communities in its
implementation, for which a program of information and communication is
necessary.
The fifth step is to make a plan for regular monitoring of both source and
recipient reefs to track the changes occurring at both sites. Monitoring is an
important activity because it is necessary for the documentation that will serve
as basis for evaluating the success of the activities stated in this proposal.
