Coral reefs cover less than 0.1% of our ocean, but they are home to 25% of marine species and provide food and livelihoods for hundreds of millions of people. This makes them one of our planet’s most productive and important ecosystems. And yet, with ocean temperatures rising, coral reefs are disappearing at an alarming rate. Learn about our Coral Reef Rescue Initiative – an innovative partnership that prioritizes integrated coral reef conservation and climate adaptation interventions in sites that are likely to survive in a warmer ocean. 

In addition to the targeted approach adopted by the Coral Reef Rescue Initiative, WWF offices are working to reduce pressure on coral reef systems and to enhance the long-term resilience of vulnerable coastal communities by supporting locally managed marine areas, advocating for marine protected areas networks and sustainable fisheries management, mobilizing finance for coral reef conservation and reducing land-based pollution.

Mangroves and seagrass meadows are highly productive coastal ecosystems. They are hotspots for carbon storage, with soil carbon sequestration rates per hectare up to 10 times higher than those of terrestrial ecosystems. Conservation and restoration of these carbon-rich “blue forest” habitats -- also including salt marshes and kelp forests -- supports climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, enhances the resilience of coastal communities and sustains vital ecosystem services.

The deep sea is home to a significant proportion of Earth’s biodiversity, with most species yet to be discovered. The richness and diversity of organisms in the deep sea supports ecosystem processes necessary for the Earth’s natural systems to function. However, deep sea ecosystems are currently under stress from climate change, bottom trawling and pollution. Industry proposals to mine the deep seafloor would add to these stressors, resulting in the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem function that may take centuries to recover. WWF calls for a moratorium on deep seabed mining.

The connected nature of our ocean demands an integrated approach to conservation and sustainable use. Halting and reversing the loss of nature at seascape level will often require the use of multiple conservation and management interventions, including protected and conserved areas, regulatory protection of species and habitats, fisheries management, habitat restoration, marine spatial planning and pollution control measures.

WWF employs various approaches to integrated seascape management, ranging from community-led “ridge to reef” management at the local level to ecosystem-based marine spatial planning at the national level.