Modeling the threat from marine-based pollution

The RRSEA analysis of threat from marine-based sources of pollution is based on the location of major shipping lanes and oil infrastructure. These components were buffered based on distance rules developed with project partners and aggregated into a map layer reflecting the threat from marine-based pollution. This estimate was adjusted for the natural vulnerability of the area to pollution. The assessment does not address the fine-scale impact of anchor damage, but it is an indicator of the broad-scale impact of pollutants.

Marine-based pollution results for Southeast Asia

Marine-based pollution is the least pervasive of the threat categories evaluated. It threatens an estimated seven percent of the coral reefs within the region, with only about one percent estimated to be under high threat. Japan and Taiwan have high levels of threat relative to the region, each at about 15 percent. Cambodia and Singapore have relatively small areas of coral reefs, but high percentages of those reefs are estimated to be threatened (medium or higher) from marine pollution-30 and 100 percent, respectively.