How many different coral reef regions are the global reefs divided into?

How are reef areas distributed globally? What patterns do you see in the distribution of reefs and the size of the population that lives within 30 km of reefs? Provide the data to support your conclusions.

What are the patterns for local threats to coral reefs relative to population within 30 km of reefs? Do the patterns seem reasonable when considering that local threats consist of overfishing and destructive fishing, marine-based pollution, coastal development, and land-based pollution? Provide the data to support your conclusions.

What is thermal stress in coral reefs? What are the patterns in past thermal stress to coral reefs relative to population within 30 km of reefs? Are they the same as with local threats? Why or why not? Provide the data to support your conclusions.

How might thermal stress affect reefs in the future? As discussed in the chapter, what is another threat that reefs are facing or will be facing in the future? How are these two stresses related?

What challenges do these different threats present for protecting coral reef systems? What is the role of MPAs in protecting coral reefs against these various threats? Based on the information about reefs in the table, which regional reef is most secure and which is least so? Explain your responses.