Meeting the climate change challenge: Pressing issues in southern China and SE Asian coastal ecosystems

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• 作者：Gray A. Williams^a ; ^{hrsbwga@hku.hk} ; Brian Helmuth^b ; Bayden D. Russell^a ; Yun-Wei Dong^c ; V. Thiyagarajan^a ; L. Seuront^d
• 关键词：Aquaculture ; Biodiversity ; Ecosystem functioning ; Habitat loss ; Shoreline development
• 刊名：Regional Studies in Marine Science
• 出版年：2016
• 出版时间：November 2016
• 年：2016
• 卷：8
• 期：part_P3
• 页码：373-381
• 全文大小：585 K
• 卷排序：8

文摘

The coastlines of southern China and SE Asia represent some of the most anthropogenically impacted ecosystems in the world, yet they support a rich biodiversity and provide important ecosystem services, including being the source of the vast majority of the world’s aquaculture production. The challenges faced by coastal ecosystems in this region are exacerbated by the rapid impacts of climate change, which is occurring at a faster pace than in many other parts of the globe. Of the many possible threats, this paper discusses three main areas of concern: loss of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning; habitat loss and shoreline development; and food security and aquaculture; all of which are significant for the southern China and SE Asia region. Whilst a number of impacts within these areas have been anticipated, accurate predictions of future effects are difficult due to a lack of adequate baseline data on environmental conditions, species distribution patterns and physiological vulnerabilities. There is thus a critical need to develop and maintain cross-national boundary databases to address these knowledge-gaps. It is clear, however, that despite incomplete data, proactive management strategies are needed to counter ongoing economic and food security threats. Whilst acknowledging these impacts, and drawing from experiences learned in other countries is a reasonable approach, this must occur in tandem with the development of region-specific studies and collaborations. Clearly this presents a major challenge, and requires a variety of interdisciplinary responses, from both scientists and managers. Given the combined pace of anthropogenic modification, exploitation and climate change, we must move quickly if we are to create effective and timely strategies based on best-available science to document, conserve and manage the region’s coastal ecosystems.