Coral Reef Biodiversity Conservation and Ecological Rehabilitation

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Biodiversity Conservation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 2742

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
South China Seas Institute of Oceanography Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
Interests: coral reef biodiversity; coral conservation; reef rehabilitation

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China
Interests: coral reef ecology; conservation biology; reef rehabilitation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce a Special Issue of Diversity dedicated to the theme of ‘Coral Reef Biodiversity Conservation and Ecological Rehabilitation’. This Special Issue aims to bring together the latest research findings, innovative approaches, and policy recommendations that contribute to the understanding and enhancement of coral reef ecosystems worldwide.

Background:

Coral reefs are among the most biodiverse and ecologically valuable ecosystems on the planet. They support a vast array of marine life, provide essential services such as coastal protection and food security, and are a cornerstone of many economies. However, coral reefs are under severe threat from climate change, ocean acidification, overfishing, pollution, and other human-induced stressors. The urgency to protect and restore these ecosystems has never been greater.

Aims and Scope:

This Special Issue seeks to publish high-quality, original research articles, review papers, and case studies that address the following themes (but are not limited to):

  1. Assessments of coral reef biodiversity: Studies on the current status, trends, and patterns in coral reef biodiversity, including the identification of key species, habitats, and ecosystems.
  2. Ecological impacts of climate change: Research on the effects of climate change, ocean warming, and acidification on coral reefs, including the resilience and adaptability of reef organisms.
  3. Conservation strategies and management: Analysis of conservation policies, management practices, and governance structures that promote the sustainable use and protection of coral reefs.
  4. Restoration and rehabilitation efforts: Innovative approaches and outcomes of coral reef restoration, including active and passive restoration techniques, as well as the integration of traditional ecological knowledge.
  5. Ecosystem services and socioeconomic values: Assessments of the economic, social, and cultural values of coral reefs and the implications for local communities and industries.
  6. Technological innovations and tools: Development and application of new technologies, including remote sensing, genomics, and modeling, to monitor, manage, and restore coral reefs.

Dr. Xinming Lei
Dr. Wentao Niu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diversity is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • coral reefs
  • biodiversity
  • restoration
  • rehabilitation
  • ecosystem

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

18 pages, 5077 KiB  
Article
Rebuilding Coral Reefs: How Tourism Can Be a Driver Behind Solutions in a Changing Ocean
by Johanna Calle-Triviño, Daniela Rojas-Cano, Laura Angélica Niño-Torres, Norberto Colín-García, Roberto C. Hernández-Landa, Macarena Blanco-Pimentel, Jesús Ernesto Arias-González, Camilo Cortés-Useche and Rodolfo Rioja-Nieto
Diversity 2025, 17(4), 268; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17040268 - 11 Apr 2025
Viewed by 2422
Abstract
Coral reefs are threatened by multiple stressors that have driven a decline in the cover of reef-building coral species, resulting in a loss of reef structure and function. Restoration reef science provides useful conservation tools to preserve and restore the key species and [...] Read more.
Coral reefs are threatened by multiple stressors that have driven a decline in the cover of reef-building coral species, resulting in a loss of reef structure and function. Restoration reef science provides useful conservation tools to preserve and restore the key species and ecological functions of these ecosystems. However, gaps remain in restoration at large scales. This study provides a guide of how to invest and apply innovative solutions and immediate action strategies from the tourism-hotel sector in alliance with academia and key stakeholders, through the development and implementation of a multi-species restoration program at two sites in the Mexican Caribbean: Manchoncitos Reef, Riviera Maya and La Francesita Reef, Cozumel. We have identified effective propagation and outplanting techniques for key critically endangered species, as well as genotypes resistant to temperature stress and Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD), based on pre-restoration nursery trials. We include a comparative analysis over time (2020–2022) showing increased coral cover, structural complexity and fish biomass. Baseline assessment of the study areas will allow adaptation of repopulation techniques not only for hard corals, but also to advance in the comprehensive restoration of the ecosystem, incorporating new elements to the reef, such as fish, crab or sea urchin post larvae. These organisms could accelerate herbivory functions and in turn could improve the natural processes of the coral reefs. Our results improve the understanding of the use of restoration as a tool for climate change adaptation led by the private sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coral Reef Biodiversity Conservation and Ecological Rehabilitation)
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