Restored Island-Ocean Biodiversity
How the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge
improves biodiversity on a global scale
Our world is facing rapid environmental changes and a mass extinction crisis. The permanent loss of animal and plant species harms our ecosystems and puts humanity — and all other life forms — at risk.
In response to this crisis, the IOCC works with local partners to protect, restore, and rewild island-ocean ecosystems from ridge to reef. We work together to combat desertification, promote the sustainable use of terrestrial habitats such as forests, halt and reverse land degradation, and prevent biodiversity loss around the world.
Of the 36 officially-listed Biodiversity Hotspots, most are coastal and include islands. Almost a third of the hotspots are exclusive to islands. Because of their unique geography, islands foster many special endemic species of plants and animals that can be found nowhere else on Earth. They are home to 20% of the world’s bird, reptile, and plant species.
The Island-Ocean Connection Challenge fosters biodiversity through the recovery of native, unique, and at-risk species within island-ocean habitats. Restored and rewilded islands can conserve critical terrestrial and marine ecosystems, helping vulnerable species thrive.
This Floreana Mockingbird (Mimus trifasciatus) is one of an estimated 600 at-risk endangered species populations that can benefit from restored and rewilded island-marine habitats.
How restored islands foster biodiversity
Removing invasive species within island-marine ecosystems can make them into refuges for animals and plants under threat. Invasive species can limit the ability of connector species to thrive, and when they’re removed, connector species can return and play a vital role in island-marine biodiversity.
Seabirds are a fantastic example of connector species. After eating fish at sea, they return to islands to nest, and leave the nutrients behind in the form of guano. These nutrients not only enrich the island, but they also flow into the surrounding marine ecosystems and improve their health as well.
Coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses all rely on nutrients from connector species like seabirds. Damaged coral reefs have been shown to heal four times faster when their adjacent island-marine ecosystems are restored and protected. These reefs are critical to rebuilding ecological durability, providing resources to local communities, and maintaining climate change resilience by protecting islands from extreme weather.
Seabirds play a vital role in thriving island-marine ecosystems. Greater biodiversity increases resilience to climate change and safeguards natural sustainability for all lifeforms.
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