Nereus Program alumnus Gabriel Reygondeau (UBC/Yale University) is a main contributor to a new High Level Panel (HLP) Blue Paper on critical habitats and biodiversity. The authors investigate human impacts on biodiversity that is crucial for  “ecosystem services such as marine fisheries, aquaculture, coastal protection and tourism” and analyze marine species distributions in critical habitats throughout the globe. Additionally, they “assesses the current legal framework and available tools for biodiversity protection, current gaps in ocean governance and management and the implications for achieving a sustainable ocean economy tailored to individual coastal states grouped by social indicators.” You can read the full paper here, as well as the summary for decision-makers.

This paper is part of a series of 16 published papers known as the Blue Papers, which are “thematic deep dives into a range of topics, and offer a robust, fact base to inform the Report and the final recommendations of the High Level Panel.” The entire series will be published between November 2019 and October 2020.

The above summary was adapted from the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy website and the reference below

Rogers, A., O. Aburto-Oropeza, et al. 2020. Critical Habitats and Biodiversity: Inventory, Thresholds and Governance. Washington, DC: World Resources Institute. Available online at www.oceanpanel.org/blue-papers/critical-habitats-and-biodiversity-inventory-thresholds-and-governance