Palau’s resilient reefs provide hope for the future of coral reefsfor the future of coral reefs

YimnangYimnang GolbuuGolbuuYimnangYimnang GolbuuGolbuuPalau Palau InternationalInternational Coral Reef CenterCoral Reef Center

Coral Reefs Provides Vital Services

Local Stress on Reefs

IPCC AR4

Hoegh‐Guldberg et al 2007 Science

Hoegh Guldberg et al. 2007

Reduced coral coverR d d l i h

Fabricius et al. 2011

Reduced coral richnessReduced cover of coralline algae

Doropoulos & Diaz‐Pulido, 2013

Calcification delayed

Skeletal development depressed

Basal plate ill defined

Cohen & McCorkle, 2009

Doropoulos et al. 2012

Unique and Diverse Habitats

fFringing Reef - East Coast

Atoll Reef ‐ KayangelBarrier Reef - West Coast

Atoll Reef Kayangel

Patch Reef

80 sites240 transects34, 397 corals

van Woesik et al. 2012

van Woesik et al. 2012

Bay Open Ocean

pH=7.8‐7.9 pH=8.05Ω arg=2‐2.5 Ω arg=3.6‐3.7temp =30 temp =29temp 30 temp 29

Ngeruangel Reserve

Ebiil Conservation Area

Ngaraard Mangrove Conservation AreaIleyakl Beluu Conservation Area

Ngermasch Conservation Area

Ngatpang Conservation Area

Ngelukes Conservation Area

Ngermeduu Conservation AreaBkulengriil Conservation Area

Ngerumekaol Spawning Area Ngederak Reef

Ngerkebesang Conservation Zone

Ngkisaol Sardine Sanctuary

Oikuul Mangrove Conservation Area

Ngerukewid Islands Wildlife Preserve

Ngemelis Island Complex

Teluleu Conservation Area

Angaur Conservation Area

CONCLUSIONS

Management should focus on reducing human‐induced changes that reduce reefs’ ability to recoverchanges that reduce reefs ability to recover

Conduct studies to identify additional resilient sites and determine how coral communities are able to grow in these resilient sites

Design network of protected areas that incorporate resilient sites

All efforts should focus on reducing CO2 emissions

resilient sites

All efforts should focus on reducing CO2 emissions throughout the world