Coral reefs in the Mahafaly Seascape (SW Madagascar) as potential climate refugia following the 2024 mass bleaching event.

ABSTRACT: The southwesternmost coast of Madagascar, including the Mahafaly seascape, is home to some of the country's most ecologically and culturally important coral reefs, which remain largely understudied. These ecosystems are facing growing pressure from a panel of disturbances, with climate-induced events such as marine heatwaves being among of the causes of coral bleaching. The decline of these reefs can directly threaten the livelihoods of the local communities, who depend heavily on the resources they provide. In this context, understanding how different disturbances impact coral reef condition and recovery is critical for developing effective management strategies and conservation for this vulnerable region. This study investigates coral bleaching dynamics in the Mahafaly seascape during an

SUBMITTER: Randrianarivo M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12662060 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature