Exploring the ecosystem services and potential futures of coral reefs

Abstract

Tropical and temperate coral reefs connect natural and human systems in a way that supports long-term human development and well-being and marine biodiversity. The enormous abundance and diversity of life found on these shallow reefsprovide ecosystem services upon which several billions of people depend. However, many of these services are at severe risk due to historic and ongoing overexploitation and the threats posed by climate change, which will further degrade habitats and deplete biodiversity.