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 promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss—through the span
of any one of the IOCC projects.
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. Many prioritized islands are in global Key Biodiversity Areas, which are some of the most important biodiversity habitats in the world.
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 provide refuge for animals and plants under threat. When these habitats rebound, the relocation and restoration of significant ‘connector’ species becomes possible. These are species that play a vital role in
island-marine biodiversity.
For example, seabirds connect land and ocean. They travel great distances to deposit rich nutrients on remote islands, which in turn support the surrounding marine organisms. These interconnected systems continuously flow into one another, ensuring a diverse range of fauna and flora.
This includes coral reefs, mangroves and seagrasses. 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.
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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