Connecting Communities to Coral Reefs: Why Restoration Must Go Beyond Planting Corals

Coral restoration is not only about growing fragments.

It is about growing relationships.

Across the world, coral reefs have declined dramatically over the last 40 years due to climate change, pollution, overfishing, and unsustainable tourism. As reefs disappear, so do fisheries, coastal protection, tourism income, and cultural identity.

In Indonesia — home to the Coral Triangle — restoration efforts have increased rapidly. More than 500 coral restoration projects have been recorded across the country.

But one essential question remains:

Are communities truly connected to these restoration efforts?

A recent study conducted in Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area explores this question from a socio-ecological perspective — examining not only coral growth, but community knowledge, engagement, and stewardship.

Nusa Penida's underwater biodiversity is rich yet vulnerable.

🐠 Restoration Is Growing — But So Are the Challenges

Nusa Penida has experienced coral reef decline over the past decade due to bleaching events, natural disasters, flash floods, and increasing tourism pressure.

At the same time, restoration efforts have accelerated.

Between 2020 and 2022:

• Over 15,000 coral fragments were propagated

• 34 jobs were created for local community members

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This marks a shift: coral restoration is no longer only ecological — it is socio-economic.

Restoration can:

• Provide livelihoods

• Strengthen local stewardship

• Rebuild ecosystem resilience

But long-term success depends on something deeper:

Community understanding.

📊 What the Study Revealed

Researchers interviewed 77 stakeholders in Nusa Penida — including fishers, dive professionals, business owners, village officials, and restoration members.

The findings were powerful.

1️⃣ Everyone Supports Restoration

• 96% were aware of coral restoration activities

• 93% acknowledged the continued need for restoration

• 100% supported coral restoration efforts

Community support exists.

But knowledge gaps remain.

2️⃣ Climate Change Is the Biggest Knowledge Gap

Most respondents could explain:

• Biodiversity benefits

• Tourism opportunities

• Fisheries support

However, more than half struggled to explain how coral reefs relate to climate change mitigation.

Even some reef users — including fishers and MPA officials — demonstrated limited understanding of this connection.

This highlights an urgent need for clearer, locally relevant communication about climate change impacts.

If climate change feels abstract, action feels distant.

3️⃣ Direct Involvement Increases Understanding

One of the strongest findings:

People who directly participated in restoration projects had significantly higher knowledge of ecosystem services.

Coastal residents and those with water skills (divers, snorkelers) also demonstrated deeper understanding compared to non-coastal residents.

This confirms something simple but powerful:

Experience builds stewardship.

When people engage with reefs physically and practically, their relationship deepens.

Restoration is education.

🏝 Why Community-Based Restoration Matters

The study emphasizes that coral restoration is most effective when local communities are:

• Directly involved

• Supported by NGOs and MPA managers

• Engaged through culturally appropriate platforms

• Included in decision-making

  
  

In Bali, the banjar (village-level community forum) plays a critical role in trust-building and social cohesion.

Engagement strategies that respect local cultural structures are more sustainable than top-down interventions.

Restoration cannot be imported.

It must be rooted.

🌱 Youth as the Future of Reef Stewardship

The research highlights the importance of engaging young people in long-term conservation strategies.

Exposure to:

• Water skills training

• Coral ecology education

• Restoration workshops

can cultivate the next generation of conservation leaders.

When youth are connected to reefs early, stewardship becomes identity — not obligation.

💬 Breaking Barriers: Language and Communication

Another key insight: language barriers limit participation in conservation efforts.

Providing:

• English-language training

• Conservation messaging in locally accessible language

• Community-based workshops

can dramatically improve inclusion and engagement.

Restoration is not just technical.

It is relational.

💰 Securing Sustainable Funding

The study also highlights the importance of long-term funding models.

Dive professionals and business owners expressed willingness to financially support restoration.

Potential funding pathways include:

• Tourism partnerships

• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs

• Volunteer-based conservation tourism

Without sustained funding, restoration risks becoming short-term action instead of long-term resilience.

🌊 Beyond Planting Corals

Coral restoration is often measured in numbers:

15,000 fragments planted.

Hectares restored.

Projects launched.

But the deeper measure is this:

Are communities connected?

This study concludes that long-term socio-ecological success depends on:

• Strong stakeholder collaboration

• Continuous knowledge sharing

• Cultural integration

• Youth engagement

• Sustainable funding

• Clear communication about climate change

Coral reefs do not exist separate from people.

They protect coastlines.

They support livelihoods.

They shape identity.

Restoration, therefore, must restore relationships — between communities and their reefs.

📖 Read the Full Research Publication

This blog is based on the peer-reviewed article:

Sebastian, P., Sparks, L.D., Resolute, P., & Prasetijo, R. (2024). Connecting communities to coral reefs: a socio-ecological perspective on coral restoration programs in a remote marine protected area. Journal of Coastal Conservation.

Access the full publication here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11852-024-01041-6

✨ About the Authors

Pascal Sebastian – Main author, Co-Founder, Researcher & Conservation Practitioner

Pascal Sebastian, main author and Co-Founder of Terra Segara Indonesia Foundation

Pascal Sebastian is a marine conservation practitioner and researcher based in Nusa Penida, Indonesia. As a leading voice in community-based coral restoration, his work focuses on integrating ecological science with socio-economic development in remote marine protected areas. Through his involvement with Indo Ocean Project and Yayasan Terra Segara Indonesia, Pascal works at the intersection of reef restoration, stakeholder engagement, and long-term resilience planning. His research explores how coral restoration can move beyond ecological intervention to become a tool for strengthening community stewardship and sustainable livelihoods.

Prisilia Resolute – Co-Author & Co-Founder

Prisilia Resolute, Co-author and Co-Founder of Terra Segara Indonesia Foundation

Prisilia Resolute is a co-author of this research and the Co-Founder of Terra Segara Indonesia. A PADI Staff Instructor and SSI Assistant Instructor Trainer, she is also the visionary behind Penidacology. With a background in development practice, she designs educational programs that connect environmental awareness with expanded career opportunities for local young people. Her work bridges academic research and hands-on marine education, ensuring that youth empowerment and ocean conservation move forward together.