Coral Reef Protection Begins on Land

On high islands like Maui, the connection between what we do on the land and the impacts on the ocean is easy to visualize.  Water flows downhill after all!  This is why coral reef conservation begins on the land.

Coral reefs are subject to "death by a 1000 cuts". Climate change, over fishing and local pollution all reduce the resilience of this important ecosystem.  The complexity and scale of addressing the first two categories make it imperative that find and manage the local sources of pollution as quickly and effectively as we can.  These include 1.) sediment, which erodes from stream bed & banks, old farm roads, gulch edges, land disturbed by pigs & deer, areas denuded by fire and improperly managed construction, 2.) nutrients from leaky sewage infrastructure, treated waste water effluent from injection wells, and current and past landscaping & farming fertilization and 3.) contaminants, from waste water, pesticides & fertilizers, personal care products and urban run-off.

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Overview of Reef Stressors

Sewage & Waste Water

Elevates nutrients driving algae growth, introduces contaminants and fresh water lowers pH degrading reef structure.

Wildfires

Render soil hydrophobic and removes vegetative cover accelerating sediment erosion & runoff when it rains. Learn more

Nutrients

Enter through surface and ground water driving algae growth which smothers corals and impedes larval settling.

Feral Pigs & Deer

Rapidly destabilize large areas of vegetation driving soil erosion while introducing degrading invasive plants. Deer management overview from DOFAW.

Sunscreens

Active ingredients oxybenzone and octinoxate damage coral DNA, increase coral bleaching & impede reproduction.

Climate Change

Drives coral bleaching through elevated sea temperatures, ocean acidification and sea level rise eroding coastal banks.