Incorporating climate change resilience into MPA planning in Sri Lanka

The impacts of coral bleaching and patterns of recovery in Sri Lanka after the major bleaching events of 1998 and 2016 were assessed through primary and secondary data sources. Past and current condition of coral reefs, and... [ view full abstract ]

The impacts of coral bleaching and patterns of recovery in Sri Lanka after the major bleaching events of 1998 and 2016 were assessed through primary and secondary data sources. Past and current condition of coral reefs, and biophysical parameters affecting resilience were considered in order to identify key conservation areas. The resilience potential of reefs within existing MPA’s was assessed using globally accepted resistance and resilience factors. Of the four major coral reef MPA’s in Sri Lanka, Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary, Hikkaduwa National Park and Rumassala Marine Sanctuary on the west and south coast are currently in a degraded condition while Pigeon Island National Park on the east coast remains in good condition. Overall, coral reefs on the western and southern coasts have suffered high bleaching related mortality and show signs of poor recovery with the exception of Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary. In comparison coral reefs on the east coast had lower mortality, and high potential for recovery. Coral species diversity, the presence of bleaching resistant coral species, fish assemblage structure, natural recruitment patterns, geographical location, wind exposure, natural fluctuations in water temperature, and level of anthropogenic impacts appear to affect the resilience of coral reefs in Sri Lanka. Developing a framework to apply country specific resistance and resilience factors identified through applied research into MPA declaration and management is essential in ensuring management success and conserving reefs in light of predicted climate change impacts in the future.