Conservation status of corals in Singapore
Ng, C.S.L.; Chan, Y.K.S.; Poquita-Du, R.C.; Tun, K.; Huang, D. (2025). Conservation status of corals in Singapore, in: Chou, L.M. et al. Coral reefs of Singapore's urbanised sea. Coral Reefs of the World, 23: pp. 173-184. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-0903-4_10
In: Coral Reefs of the World. Springer: Dordrecht. ISSN 2213-719X, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Ng, C.S.L.
- Chan, Y.K.S.
- Poquita-Du, R.C.
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| Abstract |
Throughout much of Singapore’s modern history, impacts from intensive coastal urbanisation and climate change have resulted in significant changes to the structure and function of its coral reefs. Here, we assembled information from contemporary reef survey data, museum records and the literature reviews to determine the conservation statuses of all 276 recorded stony coral species in Singapore. Threat statuses for 142 species (1 presumed Nationally Extinct, 1 Critically Endangered, 7 Endangered, 20 Vulnerable, 26 Near Threatened and 87 Least Concern) are now provided, representing a substantial increase from just two species assessed from the last report in 2008. One of them, Seriatopora hystrix, is now presumably extirpated owing to its last specimen collected before the 1960s, while the other, Stylophora pistillata, remains Critically Endangered. These updated conservation statuses serve to inform strategies for enhancing the recovery of Singapore’s corals and to improve habitat management for sustained reef ecosystem functioning. However, nearly half of all species lack sufficient data for a formal assessment and are considered Data Deficient, underscoring the urgent need for more detailed surveys to increase detection and quantify species trends. Mitigating impacts from development and climate change remains critical to reduce the risks of further coral species extirpations. |
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