Coral reefs are critical to climate resilience in small island states like Mauritius and Seychelles, yet rising ocean temperatures and repeated coral bleaching events continue to put these ecosystems at risk.
This video features an Adaptation Fund-funded regional project, implemented by UNDP, that is restoring coral reefs across Seychelles, Mauritius, and Rodrigues Islands as a climate adaptation response. By focusing on marine ecosystem services—from shoreline protection and fisheries to livelihoods and tourism—the project shows how coral restoration can help island communities adapt to a changing climate.
Through innovative, resilience‑focused approaches, the project is redefining coral restoration for a warming climate. Efforts include selecting heat‑tolerant corals that survived past bleaching events, using both ocean‑ and land‑based nurseries, combining multiple restoration techniques, and adjusting restoration timing based on environmental conditions. By engaging local partners and stakeholders throughout the process, this regional experience offers practical, community‑informed lessons for climate‑resilient coral reef restoration in small island developing states.
