KEYNOTE SPEAKER
ABOUT
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Prof Joe LEE
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China; Griffith University, Australia Joe Lee has been researching the ecology of coastal wetlands, particularly mangroves, since 1985 when he started a PhD on the carbon dynamics of mangroves at The University of Hong Kong. His work focuses on the ecological processes underpinning the function and services of coastal wetland ecosystems, and how key animals are involved in, or affected by, these processes. To date, Joe has published > 230 papers on various aspects of coastal marine biology and ecology. Joe also contributes to the global conservation of mangroves through his role as chair of the IUCN Mangrove Specialist Group, since its establishment in 2014. After successive academic appointments at The University of Hong Kong, Griffith University (Australia), and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Joe took early retirement in 2022 but continues to engage in mangrove conservation work and research everything interesting about coastal wetlands in his capacity as adjunct professor of the latter two institutions.
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ABSTRACT
No Intact Eggs in an Upturned Nest: Potential Impacts of Global Changes in Coastal Wetlands on Horseshoe Crab Conservation
OBJECTIVES
This presentation aims to [1] review the recent changes in coastal wetlands, particularly, urbanization, species invasion, and restoration, on the value of these habitats to horseshoe crab populations; and [2] discuss potential conservation measures to reduce the impact of these changes, with particular reference to tropical coastal wetlands.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The trend of quantitative and qualitative changes in coastal wetlands is reviewed based on the latest global data. Particular attention is paid to the role of urbanization, species invasion, and restoration, in driving the changes. The potential impacts of these changes on the invertebrate fauna of coastal wetlands are explored based on current understanding of the interaction and mutual dependence between coastal wetlands and their associated fauna.
RESULTS
Coastal wetlands support highly diverse and abundant invertebrate faunas, with many species of conservation and/or commercial importance. Urbanization, species invasion, and recent large-scale restoration efforts all exert strong impacts on coastal wetland habitats, resulting in significant quantitative (e.g., areal cover) and qualitative (e.g., habitat complexity) changes with strong implications for the associated fauna. Horseshoe crabs demonstrate certain ecological and life-history traits that may increase their vulnerability to adverse habitat changes.
CONCLUSION
Globally, coastal wetlands are under immense pressure from urbanization and species invasion. While restoration efforts may increase wetland area, it is crucial that diverse, mature, functional coastal wetlands are protected from further loss and degradation, to promote the conservation of their associated invertebrate fauna, such as horseshoe crabs.
This presentation aims to [1] review the recent changes in coastal wetlands, particularly, urbanization, species invasion, and restoration, on the value of these habitats to horseshoe crab populations; and [2] discuss potential conservation measures to reduce the impact of these changes, with particular reference to tropical coastal wetlands.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The trend of quantitative and qualitative changes in coastal wetlands is reviewed based on the latest global data. Particular attention is paid to the role of urbanization, species invasion, and restoration, in driving the changes. The potential impacts of these changes on the invertebrate fauna of coastal wetlands are explored based on current understanding of the interaction and mutual dependence between coastal wetlands and their associated fauna.
RESULTS
Coastal wetlands support highly diverse and abundant invertebrate faunas, with many species of conservation and/or commercial importance. Urbanization, species invasion, and recent large-scale restoration efforts all exert strong impacts on coastal wetland habitats, resulting in significant quantitative (e.g., areal cover) and qualitative (e.g., habitat complexity) changes with strong implications for the associated fauna. Horseshoe crabs demonstrate certain ecological and life-history traits that may increase their vulnerability to adverse habitat changes.
CONCLUSION
Globally, coastal wetlands are under immense pressure from urbanization and species invasion. While restoration efforts may increase wetland area, it is crucial that diverse, mature, functional coastal wetlands are protected from further loss and degradation, to promote the conservation of their associated invertebrate fauna, such as horseshoe crabs.
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