The waters of the Coral Triangle hold the highest diversity of iridescent corals, fish, crustaceans, mollusks and marine plant species in the world. The area sustains over 120 million people and garners more than $12 billion a year from nature-based tourism. A complex mix of diverse habitats – from river estuaries and mangrove forests, to sea grass beds and coral reef ecosystems – support this array of marine biodiversity. Sea turtles, whale sharks and mantas feed, breed and migrate in these rich and sheltered waters.
This abundant marine life is now at risk. Unsustainable fishing, poorly planned development, pollution, a growing population and the effects of climate change are all contributing to the degradation of the Coral Triangle. WWF develops sustainable solutions that will both benefit local communities and businesses and save one of the most diverse marine habitats on Earth.
Why the Coral Triangle (and not a circle)?
The Coral Triangle is defined by marine zones containing at least 500 species of reef-building coral—the darkest area that is roughly triangular in shape shown in the map above. Certain neighboring countries like Australia and Fiji contain rich coral biodiversity as well, but with somewhat lower numbers.
WWF’s goal in the Coral Triangle
We plan to reach the following targets by 2020:
Coral Reefs: 50 percent increase in area of priority coral reef habitats that is protected and sustainably managed with effective financing in place
Species: Zero decline in the populations of 3 endangered marine turtle speciehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifs (leatherback, hawksbill, green) from 2008 levels
Transforming business: Halting and reversing the degradation of key marine resources - coral reef habitats, turtles, reef fish, and tuna
Actions for on-the-ground conservation efforts and sustainable resource management will focus on existing WWF project sites in the Sulu-Sulawesi, Banda Flores Marine, Bismarck Solomon Seas and Fiji Island Marine ecoregions.
WWF's vision: Protect the resilience and the native species through collaboratively managed practices across political and cultural boundaries and create economic opportunities for the people who live here and depend on natural resources for their livelihoods.
http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/wherewework/coraltriangle/index.html
