No Net Loss of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Applying the Mitigation Hierarchy and Biodiversity Offsets as tools to achieve sustainable development in the WIO - Session 9: From Science to Policy Paper 1

The Western Indian Ocean (WIO) is one of the richest regions of the world for biodiversity. It comprises diverse ecosystems both in terms of biodiversity and the ecosystem services provided, as is the case of coral reefs and mangroves. These areas are important for both wildlife and human populations; offering breeding and foraging areas for flagship marine and migratory species and providing protection for communities and property against storms, sea level rise and coastal erosion. The coastal population of the region is largely dependent on the health and productivity of these and other ecosystems through fishing, coastal agriculture, and tourism.