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Datasets, Tools & Reports

Climate change and coral bleaching »

Coral reefs are a critical global resource, both biologically, and in socio-economic terms. Coral reefs are also highly sensitive to climatic influences and appear to number among the most sensitive of all ecosystems to temperature changes, exhibiting the phenomenon known as coral bleaching when stressed by higher than normal sea temperatures.
Resource Type: Reports
Assessing progress towards global marine protection targets: shortfalls in information and action »

Current global marine protection targets aim to protect 10–30% of marine habitats within the next 3–5 years. However, these targets were adopted without prior assessment of their achievability. Moreover, ability to monitor progress towards such targets has been constrained by a lack of robust data on marine protected areas. Here we present the results of the first explicitly marine-focused, global assessment of protected areas in relation to global marine protection targets.
Resource Type: Journal Papers
Submarine cables and the oceans: connecting the world »

UNEP-WCMC in collaboration with the International Cable Protection Committee and UNEP has prepared a new report which provides an objective, factual description of the sub-marine cable industry and the interaction of submarine telecommunications (which route 95% of all international communications traffic) with the marine environment. This important report seeks to focus and guide deliberations and decision making on the wise conservation and protection of the oceans in concert with their sustainable management and use.
Resource Type: Reports
The Diversity of the Seas: A Regional Approach »

Marine waters cover more than 70% of the Earth's surface and open ocean waters comprise by far the most extensive major ecosystem on the planet, but its biodiversity remains poorly-known. WCMC, in collaboration with UNEP's Oceans and Coastal Areas Programme Activity Centre, produced a region-by-region account of select issues in marine biological diversity. Each account includes descriptive text on the oceanography, elements of biodiversity (including estimates of species richness and endemism), and a discussion of marine fisheries and their current status.
Resource Type: Reports
Seamounts, deep-sea corals and fisheries: vulnerability of deep-sea corals to fishing on seamounts beyond areas of national jurisdiction »

Seamounts, deep-sea corals and fisheries aims to raise the awareness of managers, decision makers and stakeholders about the distribution of deep-sea corals on seamounts and their vulnerability to trawling. It provides facts and information to support and guide the international processes within and outside the United Nations system to find solutions for the conservation, protection and sustainable management of seamount ecosystems – before it is too late.
Resource Type: Reports
The Global Trade in Coral »

This study assesses the global trade in coral in an ecological and economic context. Throughout the report emphasis is placed on the trade in live coral for aquaria because the last decade has seen an enormous increase in this business. The taxonomic composition of the trade is identified and the quantities of coral passing between nations illustrate the links between major exporters and importers. Subsequent chapters present data on the practicalities of monitoring international trade in coral at the global scale. Size and growth rate data are used to assess the sustainability of the trade in live coral, and export and retail prices are used to estimate the revenue to exporting nations.
Resource Type: Reports
Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Marine Biodiversity »

UNEP-WCMC has provided technical support to the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to conduct a major study of more than 300 scientific literatures to synthesise the observed and predicted impacts of ocean acidification on marine biodiversity. The study, Scientific Synthesis of the Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Marine Biodiversity, describes an alarming picture of possible ecological scenarios and adverse impacts of ocean acidification for marine ecosystems, and highlights the direct link between climate change, ocean health and human well-being. The study was released by the CBD on the 14th December 2009 to mark Oceans Day and inform the climate change negotiations in Copenhagen.
Resource Type: Reports
In the front line: Shoreline protection and other ecosystem services from mangroves and coral reefs »

This report has gathered lessons that have been learned since these events that will be relevant to future management of the coasts in the context of severe weather events and other potential consequences of global warming. More than ever it is essential to consider the full value of ecosystem services - that is the benefits that people derive from ecosystems - when making decisions about coastal development.
Resource Type: Reports
Framing the Flow: Innovative Approaches to Understand, Protect and Value Ecosystem Services Across Linked Habitats (2010) »

This report provides a synthesis of the current state of knowledge regarding the natural capital of water related ecosystems and habitats, and offers an overview of the innovative approaches that can support the analysis of the links between interconnected ecosystems. It analyses the linkages across coastal ecosystems (seagrasses, mangroves, and coral reefs) and the ‘value added’ in terms of ecosystem services (benefits) provided by these linkages as opposed to the services provided by just one system studied in isolation. The linkages between ecosystems are examined under consideration of environmental, economic, management and social aspects and recommendations are provided for integrating this new paradigm into cross-sectoral environmental practices.
Resource Type: Reports
Mangroves of Western and Central Africa »

This report presents a country profile for 19 countries of West and Central Africa, considering the status, distribution, biodiversity, uses, threats and drivers of change for their mangroves. Although there is considerable work being undertaken to research this habitat at the national, regional and global level, there are still significant gaps in information, emphasizing a need for continued efforts to improve assessment in the region. This report concludes that there has been a decline in mangrove cover in the region over the last quarter of a century, and that there will be consequences as a result of this decline.
Resource Type: Reports