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Coral reefs in the Cape Verde Islands are under threat

Coral reefs in the Cape Verde Islands are under threat

Cape Verde

last update:

10 months ago

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Problems

  • Coral reefs under threat

    The Cape Verde Islands are a group of 10 volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of West Africa. They have a total area of 4,033 km2 and a population of about 550,000 people. The islands are surrounded by coral reefs home to more than 500 species of fish, 60 species of coral, and several endangered species, such as sea turtles, whales, and sharks. The reefs also support the livelihoods of local communities, who depend on fishing, tourism, and coastal protection.
    
    However, the coral reefs in the Cape Verde Islands are under threat from various sources. According to a study the main local threats are overfishing, sedimentation, and solid waste disposal. Overfishing reduces the abundance and diversity of fish and other reef organisms and alters the ecological balance of the reef. Sedimentation, caused by erosion and runoff from land, reduces the light and water quality for the corals and smothers the reef substrate. Solid waste disposal, such as plastic bags, bottles, and fishing gear, pollutes the reef environment and entangles or injures the reef animals.
    
    The global threats are mainly related to climate change and ocean acidification. Climate change increases the sea surface temperature and the frequency and intensity of storms. Higher temperatures can cause coral bleaching, which is a stress response of the corals that expel their symbiotic algae and lose their color and energy source. Bleached corals are more susceptible to diseases and mortality. Storms can damage the reef structure and reduce the coral cover and diversity. Ocean acidification, caused by the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, lowers the pH and the availability of carbonate ions in the seawater. This makes it harder for the corals and other calcifying organisms to build their skeletons and shells and weakens the reef framework.
    
    The combined effects of these threats can have serious consequences for the coral reefs in the Cape Verde Islands and the people who rely on them. The loss of coral cover and diversity can reduce the productivity and resilience of the reef ecosystem, and affect the food security and income of the local communities. The degradation of the reef structure can reduce the protection of the coast from waves and erosion, and increase the vulnerability of the islands to sea level rise and flooding. The decline of the reef attractiveness can reduce the tourism potential and the cultural value of the islands.
    
    Therefore, it is important to take action to protect and conserve the coral reefs in the Cape Verde Islands and mitigate the threats they face.

Timelines

2023

The Unesco World Heritage Committee lists the Great Barrier Reef as “in danger”, despite the Australian government’s efforts to prevent it. The Capeverdean government reports some signs of coral recovery and resilience in some marine protected areas but warns that the threats to coral reefs remain high and require urgent action.

2019

The Capeverdean government launched the Blue Action Fund project, which aims to improve the management and conservation of marine biodiversity and ecosystems, including coral reefs, in the country.

2015

The coral reef benefited from conservation efforts, such as the establishment of marine protected areas, the promotion of sustainable fishing practices, and the restoration of coral nurseries.

1990

The reef was affected by coral bleaching, a phenomenon caused by rising sea temperatures that makes corals lose their symbiotic algae and turn white.

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