Issue 113 - October 2024

Piping Plovers: Climate Change Threatens Endangered Shorebirds

Piping plovers have been struggling for decades. All three U.S. populations are federally protected–two are threatened and the third is endangered. Despite habitat restoration efforts, piping plovers may be facing their greatest adversary yet–climate change. Sea level rise and migratory challenges could push them to the brink of extinction. We must take action quickly to save piping plovers.

Sandy Colored Shorebirds

Piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) are small, sandy colored shorebirds with white undersides and black neck rings that appear during breeding season. They live on beaches and mudflats along coastlines. Their diet is made up of freshwater and marine invertebrates and insects. They nest in shallow scrapes in the sand and lay two to five eggs. Both parents incubate their eggs and care for their young (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, n.d.).

On the left, an adult piping plover with breeding plumage. On the right, a juvenile piping plover. Both photographed at Montrose Beach in Chicago, Illinois.

Two subspecies of piping plovers live in the United States: C. m. circumcinctus and C. m. melodus. The two subspecies are divided further into three populations. The circumcinctus subspecies make up the Great Plains population (threatened) and the Great Lakes population (endangered). The melodus subspecies makes up the Atlantic population (threatened). Plovers spend their summers in the north at their breeding

grounds. However, the majority of the year is spent further south at their wintering grounds. While individuals from each population tend to migrate to the same area, that is not always the case. Plovers from the Great Plains population tend to winter on the Gulf coast (Gratto‐Trevor et al., 2011). Individuals from the Great Lakes population are more commonly found wintering on the Georgia or Florida coast (Stucker et al., 2010). Birds from the Atlantic population tend to travel further south and over winter in Florida and the Bahamas (Gratto‐Trevor et al., 2016).

Why Piping Plovers?

Piping plovers are an umbrella species. Their breeding and foraging habitats can range from 100 to 1000 meters. As threatened and endangered species, they are federally protected in the U.S. under the Endangered Species Act. Piping plovers are not the only species that use their habitats. The protection afforded to piping plovers helps protect other species as well. For example, the barrier beach habitats on the Atlantic coast are also home to other rare or declining bird, plant, sea turtle and tiger beetle species. These species in turn benefit from the conservation efforts aimed at piping plovers (Hecker, 2008). In the Great Lakes, over 500 species of birds breed, winter, or use the area during their migration. Here too, many other species–in fact the entire ecosystem–can reap the benefits of piping plover conservation efforts.

Piping Plovers in Chicago

Chicago hadn’t seen piping plovers since 1955. In 1986 the Great Lakes population was added to the endangered species list. However, it wasn’t until 2015 that they were once again spotted in Chicago. Then, in 2019, a pair of plovers lovingly named Monty and Rose, began nesting at a restored habitat along Montrose Beach. This restored habitat on the shore of Lake Michigan is now named the Monty and Rose Wildlife Habitat. For three years, Monty and Rose successfully raised chicks at Montrose Beach. After Rose failed to return and Monty passed in 2022, one of their chicks, Imani, returned to Montrose Beach looking for a mate of his own.

After two seasons as a bachelor, Imani finally found a mate. Sea Rocket was released at Montrose Beach as a fledgling in 2023, after being captive reared when her nest was abandon. In 2024 she returned to Montrose Beach where she and Imani mated and raised a chick named Nagamo. Imani and Sea Rocket weren’t the only two adults at Montrose Beach. A second male by the name of Pippin also called Montrose Beach his summer home, attesting to the positive outcomes of local restoration efforts.

In 1990, there were only 13 plover pairs in the Great Lakes piping plover population. With much work, this number has increased to about 80 pairs, but piping plovers still face an uphill battle.

Sea Level Rise

Greenhouse gasses are on the rise, causing significant climate changes and threatening all life on Earth. Increasing temperatures are causing ice that has been locked up in glaciers for millions of years to melt at alarming rates. Glacial melt in Greenland is estimated to make sea level rise at least ten inches by the year 2100. This equates to roughly 3.3% of glacial mass loss on Greenland alone (Box et al., 2022). This is an alarming statistic considering there are many other areas with melting glaciers contributing to sea level rise.

Research and climate change models are continually evolving. They provide new projections and different perspectives on what climate change may mean for the Great Lakes Basin. Recent predictions using a regional climate model along with a 3-D lake model show an increase in temperatures. The most drastic increases will be in the winter months. Precipitation will also increase, with the greatest increases in fall and spring. Ice cover on all of the Great Lakes, with the exception of Lake Erie, will decrease. Lake Erie is significantly shallower than the other lakes and does not hold as much heat. This will allow for ice to continue to form during the colder months. However, winters on the lakes may be nearly ice free. Additionally, the Great Lakes are predicted to experience an increase in winter storms and an increase in lake effect snow. Lake levels will rise and coastal flooding will occur throughout the Great Lake Basin (Xue et al., 2022).

How Sea Level Rise Affects Piping Plovers

While coastal flooding isn’t all bad news for piping plovers, lake and sea level rise could end in disaster. Piping plovers nest on sandy shorelines with sparse vegetation, above the high tide lines. This makes nests susceptible to localized flooding and nest abandonment. However, this is a delicate balance. Some flooding is needed to prevent too much vegetation encroachment on piping plover breeding habitat (Gratto-Trevor & Abbott, 2011).

On the Atlantic coast, barrier islands provide suitable habitat for piping plovers. Barrier islands migrate as waves move sediment from one side of the island to the other through natural processes. Changes–both positive and negative–to piping plover habitat depended on islands’ ability to migrate inland and up slope. However, human development has the potential to impede these processes (Seavey et al., 2011).

Wintering grounds of the piping plover are not immune to climate related sea level rise. In the Gulf Coast region of Florida, models predict increased habitat fragmentation and land loss due to sea level rise. Piping plovers face a greater risk of population decline, especially when compared to other shorebird species in the area (Convertino et al., 2012).

Whether on barrier islands, in the Great Lakes region, or on coastal wintering grounds, shorebirds like the piping plover will experience a decrease in suitable habitat. Sea level rise, exacerbated by climate change, will push shorebirds up against urban developments.Their habitats will become more fragmented or even disappear. The survival of piping plovers depends on the availability of shoreline habitat. If this habitat is unable to migrate, plovers may be forced out of parts, or all, of their current ranges.

Migration

Migrating birds must find food at stopover sites along the way in order to make their long journeys. Researchers are concerned that climate change is altering the timing of fruit and insect availability–essential food sources for migrating birds. If timing is off and food is scarce, birds may need to spend additional time and energy foraging in order to meet their energetic needs (VanTol et al., 2021).

Weather surveillance radar data has been used to compare continental bird migration patterns and temperature data across North America. Horton et al. (2019) analyzed more than 13 million radar scans from 1995 to 2018. Results showed shifts in migration timing throughout the entire continental U.S., with greater shifts at higher latitudes. In nearly all locations studied, both spring and fall migrations shifted earlier, but more so in spring than in fall. In addition, data showed a warming trend at 96% of the weather stations studied (Horton et al., 2019).

Birds that migrate shorter distances have been found to be more flexible in their migration timing. They take into account environmental cues, like temperature, which can change from year to year (Horton et al., 2019; Miller-Rushing et al., 2008). While this seems like good news for endangered piping plovers, newly published research suggests their struggle will continue. The new growth of green vegetation in the spring–referred to as green-up–has been shifting earlier in the year. This shift is happening as average global temperatures rise. Yet the timing of bird migration tends to be closer to the long term average of green-up rather than current conditions. This indicates that migrating birds are adapting at a slower rate (Robertson et al., 2024).

How can you help?

Climate change may seem like an insurmountable hurdle, leaving us to wonder, “What difference can I make?” While no one can address climate change on their own, there are things you can do to help both climate change and piping plovers.

Get involved. There are a number of organizations dedicated to piping plover conservation. Try reaching out to your local Audubon chapter. Great Lakes Piping Plover Recovery Effort supporters can help by donating, helping with local beach clean ups and restorations, or even by simply reporting a piping plover sighting. Using apps like iNaturalist or eBird to record wildlife sightings can give researchers valuable information about the ecosystem.
Stay out of protected wildlife areas and encourage others to do so as well. While we can’t control where wild animals go, we can give them their space and provide them with suitable habitat undisturbed by human activities. Montrose Beach in Chicago is a great example. It has a designated dog friendly area, plenty of space for recreational activities and a protected wildlife area.
Reduce your carbon footprint. Climate change is largely fueled by increasing atmospheric carbon levels. You can reduce how much carbon you are contributing to the atmosphere by doing things like choosing foods and paper products from sustainable sources. You can switch to an electric or hybrid car, carpool, take public transportation, walk, or ride a bike or scooter. You can switch to sustainable energy sources, buy local, and take measures to conserve water. You can buy reusable products instead of single use versions and compost biodegradable waste rather than throwing it in the trash.
Contact your local government official. Let them know that climate change and environmental conservation are priorities for you and that they should be priorities for governments as well.
Tell your family and friends. No one can tackle these issues on their own. But the more people get involved, the greater difference we can make. Talk to your family and friends about numbers one through four above and suggest ways they can help too.

About The Author

Lindsay Keller works as an Animal Placement Coordinator at Chicago Animal Care and Control and is a volunteer Piping Plover Monitor in Chicago, Illinois. She is also a graduate student with Project Dragonfly at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in conjunction with Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Her current studies focus on the connection between animal behavior and conservation.

References

Box, J. E., Hubbard, A., Bahr, D. B., Colgan, W. T., Fettweis, X., Mankoff, K. D., Wehrlé, A., Noël, B., van den Broeke, M. R., Wouters, B., Bjørk, A. A., & Fausto, R. S. (2022). Greenland ice sheet climate disequilibrium and committed sea-level rise. Nature Climate Change, 12(9), 808–813. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-022-01441-2
Convertino, M., Bockelie, A., Kiker, G. A., Muñoz‐Carpena, R., & Linkov, I. (2012). Shorebird patches as fingerprints of fractal coastline fluctuations due to climate change. Ecological Processes, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/2192-1709-1-9
Gratto-Trevor, C., & Abbott, S. (2011). Conservation of Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) in North America: science, successes, and challenges. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 89(5), 401–418. https://doi.org/10.1139/z11-024
Gratto‐Trevor, C. L., Amirault-Langlais, D. L., Catlin, D. H., Cuthbert, F. J., Fraser, J. D., Maddock, S. B., Roche, E., & Shaffer, F. (2011). Connectivity in piping plovers: Do breeding populations have distinct winter distributions? The Journal of Wildlife Management, 76(2), 348–355. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.261
Gratto‐Trevor, C. L., Haig, S. M., Miller, M. P., Mullins, T. D., Maddock, S. B., Roche, E., & Moore, P. (2016). Breeding sites and winter site fidelity of Piping Plovers wintering in The Bahamas, a previously unknown major wintering area. Journal of Field Ornithology, 87(1), 29–41. https://doi.org/10.1111/jofo.12131
Hecker, S. (2008). The piping plover as an umbrella species for the Barrier beach ecosystem. In R. A. Askins, G. D. Dreyer, G. R. Visgilio, & D. M. Whitelaw (Eds.), Saving Biological Diversity (pp. 59–74). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09565-3_6
Horton, K. G., La Sorte, F. A., Sheldon, D., Lin, T. Y., Winner, K., Bernstein, G., Maji, S., Hochachka, W. M., & Farnsworth, A. (2019). Phenology of nocturnal avian migration has shifted at the continental scale. Nature Climate Change, 10(1), 63–68. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-019-0648-9
Miller-Rushing, A. J., Lloyd-Evans, T. L., Primack, R. B., & Satzinger, P. (2008). Bird migration times, climate change, and changing population sizes. Global Change Biology, 14(9), 1959–1972. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2008.01619.x
Robertson, E. P., La Sorte, F. A., Mays, J. D., Taillie, P. J., Robinson, O. J., Ansley, R. J., O’Connell, T. J., Davis, C. A., & Loss, S. R. (2024). Decoupling of bird migration from the changing phenology of spring green-up. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 121(12). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2308433121
Seavey, J. R., Gilmer, B., & McGarigal, K. M. (2011). Effect of sea-level rise on piping plover (Charadrius melodus) breeding habitat. Biological Conservation, 144(1), 393–401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2010.09.017
Stucker, J. H., Cuthbert, F. J., Winn, B., Noel, B. L., Maddock, S. B., Leary, P., Cordes, J., & Wemmer, L. C. (2010). Distribution of Non-Breeding Great Lakes Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) along Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Coastlines: Ten Years of Band Sightings. Waterbirds, 33(1), 22–32. https://doi.org/10.1675/063.033.0103
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. (n.d.). Piping Plover. Retrieved November 15, 2022, from https://www.fws.gov/species/piping-plover-charadrius-melodus
VanTol, S. D., Koehn, C. R., Keith, R., Keith, B., & Proppe, D. S. (2021). Avian migrants encounter higher temperatures but continue to add mass at an inland stopover site in the Great Lakes region. Journal of Avian Biology, 52(4). https://doi.org/10.1111/jav.02626
Xue, P., Ye, X., Pal, J. S., Chu, P. Y., Kayastha, M. B., & Huang, C. (2022). Climate projections over the Great Lakes Region: using two-way coupling of a regional climate model with a 3-D lake model. Geoscientific Model Development, 15(11), 4425–4446. https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-4425-2022

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Issue 113 - October 2024

SEVENSEAS Travel Magazine – October 2024 – Issue 113

Where Blue Becomes Green: Lessons From Thailand’s Turbid Reefs

Navigating Growth in Conservation Careers and Finding Balance in an Unbalanced World

Photo of Giacomo Abrusci in the Dolomites

Pioneering Welsh Seagrass Nursery Growing & Sowing Seeds to Restore Lost Meadows

A new Welsh nursery is at the forefront of a mission to restore the UK’s lost seagrass meadows and equip organisations and communities with the tools to bring back biodiversity and support the removal of carbon dioxide from our atmosphere by restoring these vital habitats. Read the full article…

Guy Harvey Honored as The 2024 SeaKeeper of The Year

Guy Harvey, a renowned marine wildlife artist and conservationist, has been a steadfast champion for ocean conservation and its inhabitants. His vision and passion for marine biology led to the establishment of the Guy Harvey Research Institute (GHRI) at Nova Southeastern University in 1999. Read the full article…

Cleaning Stations & Coastal Cruising – Under the Waves with Karim Iliya, October 2024

Under the Waves with Karim Iliya, October 2024, Photo Banner

A Hawaiian green sea turtle cruises beneath the waves off the coast of Hawaii. This turtle was eating algae off the rocks, seemingly unaffected by the powerful turbulent water all around. When not eating algae, these turtles spend much of their time laying on the nearby beach. See more…

SSI Launches Global Ambassador Program to Elevate Diving Community

Scuba Schools International (SSI) is thrilled to announce the launch of its Global Ambassador Program, featuring nine extraordinary individuals worldwide. These SSI Ambassadors represent the pinnacle of expertise in freediving, scuba diving, extended range, and other specialities. Read the full announcement…

Book Suggestion: “Megalodons, Mermaids, and Climate Change” A New Book that Separates Fact from Fiction

Columbia University Press announces the forthcoming release of “Megalodons, Mermaids, and Climate Change: Answers to Your Ocean and Atmosphere Questions,” a compelling exploration of the natural world by renowned marine scientist Ellen Prager and veteran meteorologist Dave Jones. This engaging work, set to be released on October 22, 2024, promises to captivate readers with its accessible approach to complex scientific concepts. Find out more about the book…

Feature Destination: LMMA Practitioners in Tanzania Gather to Strengthen Collaboration Efforts for Marine Conservation

Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMA) have emerged as a promising model that address challenges faced in marine conservation in the Western Indian Ocean region. Read the full article…

Feature Destination: Tanzania, a Bucket List Destination Like No Other

Tanzania is a land where nature, adventure, and culture blend into one of the most extraordinary travel experiences on the planet. Read the full article…

Feature Destination: Actions to Strengthen Marine Turtle Conservation Agreed at UN Meeting in Tanzania

Governments, scientific experts and stakeholders gathered over four days in an international meeting that ended today to discuss pressing conservation issues for marine turtles in the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia region. Read the full article…

A Teen Environmentalist Attending The UN Summit of The Future Shares Her Fears & Hopes for The Planet

Standing alone at the United Nations headquarters in New York, I grasped my newly printed Office Depot business cards as if they could unlock influence. Read the full article…

Piping Plovers: Climate Change Threatens Endangered Shorebirds by Lindsay Keller

Piping plovers have been struggling for decades. All three U.S. populations are federally protected–two are threatened and the third is endangered. Read the full article…

New England Aquarium Scientists Spot Critically Endangered Right Whales in Unusual NY Feeding Ground

North Atlantic right whales were seen in the Hudson and Block Canyon areas south of Long Island along with an abundance of fin and humpback whales, various dolphin species, manta rays, whale sharks, tuna, and sea turtles. Read the full article…

Sacha Lodge Announces New Private Birding Tours in Ecuadorian Amazon

Sacha Lodge, an easily accessible 5000-acre private ecological reserve in the Ecuadorian Amazon, is thrilled to announce an array of NEW private birding itineraries. Of the 1,600 bird species registered in Ecuador, 600 have been seen at Sacha Lodge. Read the full article…

MSU Researchers Build Connection Between Forests & Drinking Water, Outreach & Conservation Strategies Follow

Michigan forests play a key role in offsetting greenhouse gas emissions through carbon storage, provide wildlife habitats and increase biodiversity, offer ample recreational opportunities to the state’s population and visitors, and supply timber resources and other forestry products Read the full article…

National Geographic’s Sharkfest 2024: Discover the Wonders of the Shark World

National Geographic’s Sharkfest 2024 is poised to take viewers on an incredible dive into the world of sharks, offering a four-week-long documentary packed with 26 hours of original programming. Read the full article…

The FREE Weekly Conservation Post and Jobs List

Signing up for the free Weekly Newsletter & Jobs List will get you a round-up of upcoming events, webinars, meetings, reports, funding opportunities, photos of the week, and recent postings to the jobs list.

To sign up for our free subscription, please Click Here, or email us Here.

Since 2004, SEVENSEAS Media has fostered an informal and non-partisan platform to promote understanding of key issues and challenges while building partnerships across an increasingly diverse group of marine conservation professionals and students.

Our mission is to promote communication and build partnerships across the global marine community and to identify and address gaps in the community’s work. SEVENSEAS Media achieves this through multimedia promotion and partnerships. The community consists of a diverse and growing group of participants, including non-governmental organizations, government agencies, foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, fellowship programs, independent consultants, and academia/students.

If you are interested in contributing or getting involved, email Here.

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Issue 113 - October 2024

Where Blue Becomes Green: Lessons From Thailand’s Turbid Reefs

By Sophie Coxon

The island is washed into the water, clouding the blue sea green, shielding the reefs from the searing sunlight and settling in a blanket of soft murk over the undulating coral landscape.

A giant clam fringed with algae, embedded in the reef at Mae Haad, Koh Phangan. Photo by Sophie Coxon, 2024

A tidal wave of coral research and restoration has swept the global oceans and lapped at shallow coastlines over the past few decades, spurred by the increased appreciation for coral reef ecosystems and the value these habitats contribute to planet Earth. The kaleidoscopic kingdoms of sunlit reefs, sparkling in crystal clear waters and pulsing with shoals of fish, turtles and the shadows of sharks, attract a huge influx of attention due to their aesthetic appeal and hence receive the majority of research funding. But other kinds of reef exist, and may hold invaluable resilience to pressures and stresses which could unlock new hope for the future of conserving the planet’s struggling coral reefs. If we can look deeper than surface-level appearance and place value in grittier realms, the tools required to combat coral reef decline may be within reach.

The island of Koh Phangan is well stamped on the maps of young backpackers and travellers, known for its infamous full moon parties and zen yoga community. The island acts as a stepping stone for divers on their way to the marine paradise of Koh Tao, one of the world’s most heavily dived regions, famed for its vast coral reefs, anemone beds and vortexing tornadoes of trevally and barracuda. However, the reefs of Koh Phangan, only a few kilometres south, lie relatively unscathed by the bubbling swarms of divers. This is no doubt due to the fact that these reefs are turbid, exhibiting vastly different ecological conditions to the crystalline water column and flamboyantly technicolour reefs of Koh Tao. In the summer of 2024 I spent three magical months on this island, and my understanding and appreciation of these cloudy, silted, plankton-infused reefs took spark.

Turbid reef systems are significantly understudied in comparison to their oligotrophic counterparts, though are beginning to gain interest as the struggle to develop long-term coral restoration techniques intensifies. Characterised by high levels of suspended sediment, increased algal cover and low coral diversity, turbid reefs inhabit vast areas of shallow tropical and temperate coastlines, including 30% of the Coral Triangle, the most biodiverse reef region on the planet. High sedimentation levels are often classified as a stress to coral reefs, however naturally turbid systems are well adapted to these murky conditions, and may even benefit from the abundance of silt, plankton and organic matter that enshrouds them.

Whilst corals growing within turbid ecosystems exhibit slower growth, they also show improved stress tolerance, reduced bleaching and lower mortality rates than those in non-turbid systems, and are robust against the plethora of pressures burdening shallow ecosystems provoked by climate change and growing anthropogenic exploitation. Recent research has suggested that the suspended particles reflect a large percentage of UV radiation which exacerbates bleaching, and the inhabitant coral colonies are accustomed to being smothered by sediment, constantly producing mucus which sloughs off any surface debris. Plainly put, turbid reef systems are not the picturesque kingdoms of tropical colour and aquatic enchantment that springs to mind with the words ‘coral reef’, however the biodiversity they harbour and ecological services they supply are no less important.

Black damselfish surrounding a large colony of Porites coral at Haad Salad, Koh Phangan. Photo by Sophie Coxon, 2024.

I was integrated into a team of researchers at the COREsea station on the north shore of the island, spending long days diving in the various bays collecting data for long-term monitoring projects, as well as conducting my own research study on fish assemblages across reef zones. We assessed reef substrate composition, bleaching cover, coral predators, fish communities and giant clam abundance across the survey sites, compiling everything in a decade-long data archive – a live picture of the trends, dynamics and fluctuations occurring on Koh Phangan’s murky reefs. No other similar research has been published on this specific region, leaving a gaping hole in the scientific literature and our understanding of Thailand’s tropical turbid reef systems.

Though naturally turbid and rich in organic matter, with the onslaught of development and increasing tourism, Koh Phangan’s reefs are becoming inundated with threats. Construction and forest clearing on the island’s junglish slopes loosens sediments, which are rapidly washed into the surrounding coastal waters with every monsoon downpour. The footprint of the tourist industry is also leaving its mark, with pollution and disturbance accelerating every year, combining with the effects of climate change to push the already overfished and exploited reefs to the edge.

Researching these ecosystems is crucial to protecting and preserving them; without establishing biodiversity baselines and monitoring the temporal changes occurring, it is impossible to predict future outcomes and support new protection measures that may be fundamental to preventing degradation.

Throughout my time working on these reefs, I became closely familiar with the patterns and quirks that instilled a certain charm to the ecosystem. There was as much beauty here as any other reef I had dived, it just took a more willing eye to see it. After only a few days, I felt at home in the greenish murk, the glowing white streak of the transect line the only sense of direction in the vast expanse of coral canyons, pillars and plateaus that stretched out around me. Nudibranchs could be found speckled across the boulder corals, where pairs of butterflyfish sucked corallites through puckered lips and cushion stars lay, plump and velvety, like pincushions placed on coral plates. The jade-tinged haze of the water cloaked everything in mystery, blurring the silhouettes of fish into translucent shadows and suggestions, obscuring the treasures of the reef from all but the most vigilant observers. However, the blinding white scars of bleached coral gradually became more and more abundant across the reefs, like warning beacons signifying the beginnings of a disaster.

A fully bleached colony of Coelastrea, encircled by healthy Porites colonies at Mae Haad, Koh Phangan. Photo by Sophie Coxon, 2024.

Not long into my stay, an ocean heatwave singed the globe, and the Gulf of Thailand simmered. As sea temperatures soared into the mid 30s (Celcius), a plankton bloom engulfed the bays and the visibility dropped to between 1 and 2 metres. The water column was thick and green, and the monsoon rains sent rivers of sediment pouring onto the reefs every afternoon. The dives went on, and we continued monitoring the reefs, watching them turn a ghostly white before us. By the end of my three month research period, huge areas of the reefs were completely bleached, and finding a coral that was unscathed by bleaching was near impossible.

Whilst bleaching is not immediately fatal, if conditions remain inhospitable for a lengthened period, many coral colonies, some close to a century old, may succumb to this slow and pallid death, leaving nothing but empty skeletons to dissolve in the acidic seawater that once gave them life.

A partially bleached colony of Lobophyllia, well on its way to becoming fully bleached, as was much of the reef in Mae Haad, Koh Phangan, by July 2024. Photo by Sophie Coxon, 2024.

The snapshot of coral bleaching I was exposed to throughout my research period was both eye-opening and eye-watering. The severity of the issue was branded into my mind with every subsequent dive, the tally marks in the ‘fully bleached’ column multiplying each time, filling the clipboard with grim black smudges. The toughest, most resilient reefs we know of are now failing under the crushing weight of climate change and human interference. But the future of these reefs can still be steered towards vibrancy – to lose them would mean a loss of food and livelihood for the hundreds of local communities who call the Gulf of Thailand home, and would have deep-rooted impacts across marine food webs, affecting biodiversity throughout a vast region of ocean. The cushioning effect provided by the toughened forms of ancient bouldering corals would leave coastlines open to the elements, and the fronds of life on the reef, woven tightly into the tapestry of the local cultures and traditions, would be lost.

There is more to turbid reefs that initially meets the eye, and we must enrich our understanding, connection and appreciation of these systems to grant them a place in our restoration frameworks. With more research, like the work carried out by the dedicated team at COREsea, the mysteries of these reefs and the limits of their resilience can be uncovered and shared across global reef conservation.

About The Author

Sophie is a qualified scientific diver, with a degree in Ecology and Environmental Sciences and an avid passion for tropical coral reef ecosystems and the fish communities within them. She has worked across the globe in Indonesia, Thailand, and her home country of Scotland, in marine projects including seagrass and oyster reef restoration, coral reef restoration, shark and elasmobranch monitoring, and fish assemblage assessments. She is now studying a master’s degree in Marine Systems & Policies, and uses writing to illustrate her experiences of ocean science in a creative, though informative way, aiming to help people connect with the marine realm and spark a passion to protect it.

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Issue 113 - October 2024

Navigating Growth in Conservation Careers and Finding Balance in an Unbalanced World

For many of us working in conservation, the path we’ve chosen is more than just a career, it’s a way of life. But as we move forward in our roles, the weight of what we see and experience can take a significant toll. Habitats destroyed. Species extinct. And sometimes, even when we do everything right, the larger systems at play don’t allow for the success we hoped for. The science was right when we were children, and today we’re witnessing the price being paid- by the planet, by humanity, and by the fragile ecosystems we’ve devoted our lives to protecting.

In the face of these overwhelming realities, it’s not uncommon for conservationists to experience burnout. We ask ourselves: Is it alright to take a break from conservation? What happens when hope is lost?

The Need for Breaks and Rediscovery

Yes, it is alright to step away, to take a pause. In fact, it’s necessary. Conservationists, like anyone else, need time to process, recharge, and reflect. Without these breaks, our mental, emotional, and physical health can deteriorate, which ultimately limits the impact we’re able to make.

When hope seems lost, that’s precisely when it’s time to reevaluate and ask some fundamental questions about why we’re here. Are we dedicated to the mission of an organization? To the preservation of a specific species or habitat? Or are we here because of a deep-rooted desire to make the world a better place, whether for a single animal, plant, or entire ecosystems?

Continuing Education: Traditional and Non-Traditional Paths

One way to rekindle that initial passion is through continuing education. This doesn’t always have to be in the traditional sense, such as earning an additional degree or certification, though those routes certainly offer value. But for those who have spent too much time behind a computer, it might be worth considering more non-traditional forms of education: immersive field experiences, hands-on workshops, or even short-term volunteering in places that inspire you. These opportunities not only provide a chance to learn but also serve as a powerful reminder of why we began this journey in the first place.

If you’re feeling stuck, getting out into the field, even for a short time, can shift your mindset and offer new perspectives. Seeing conservation work in action, whether it’s in a remote forest or a coastal village, has a way of reigniting the passion that brought you here in the first place.

Redefining Success in Conservation

Conservation is not a linear career path. The traditional markers of success, climbing the ladder, earning a promotion, don’t necessarily apply here. It’s always healthy to redefine what success looks like, both in terms of your personal life and professional career. You may find that after years of dedication, your goals and aspirations have shifted. And that’s okay.

We didn’t get into this field for money, but our health and security need to come first. Whether that means shifting to a role that prioritizes balance, or reimagining the impact you want to have, there’s no wrong answer.

Finding Contentment Amid Loss

The heartbreaking reality is that we won’t save everything. But that doesn’t diminish the value of what we do. It’s important to find peace with where we are- not necessarily where we’re headed. This means accepting that while we may lose biodiversity, habitats, and even hope at times, we must continue striving for that balance between what’s possible and what’s realistic.

At the end of the day, most of us in this field are here because we care deeply. We care about the world, its people, and the creatures that inhabit it. Our daily efforts, even if small, make the world better than it was yesterday. And that’s enough.

So, whether you’re at a crossroads in your career or just need a reminder of why you’re here, remember that it’s okay to pause, rethink, and redefine what matters most to you. After all, the only constant in conservation is change- both in the world around us and within ourselves.

Giacomo Abrusci, Executive Director, SEVENSEAS Media