Raja Ampat Amidst Climate Change

Abstract

The Raja Ampat Archipelago contains some of the most biodiverse and well maintained reefs in the world. As an overview, this research will explore the human impacts, biological impacts, and physical impacts that coral reefs in the Raja Ampat Archipelago have dealt with, as well as the history of the islands. Raja Ampat has an extremely rich history, and key events of the Archipelago will be highlighted. Concerning physical impacts, this paper will look into the reefs of Raja Ampat and their reactions to climate change. For example, the impact climate change has on climatic phenomena such as El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which affects the populations of native Raja Ampat species such as the Manta Ray and others. For human impacts, this paper will detail human activities such as commercial and illegal fishing, as well as nickel mining carried out in Raja Ampat. Other activities, such as tourism and boats, also harm Raja Ampat reefs. Next, concerning biological impacts, coral predators, such as the crown of thorns starfish in the Raja Ampat region also negatively affect coral reefs. Finally, both the negative and positive actions humans have committed towards the health of the Archipelago’s coral reefs will be outlined. It is up to humans to decide if we want to continue down the path of environmental destruction, or place an emphasis on positive actions to save the health of Raja Ampat’s beautiful, biodiverse reefs.