A Summary of Ecological and Social Conditions in the Sunda Banda Seascape, Eastern Indonesia

Located in the center of the coral triangle, the Sunda Banda Seascape (SBS) contains some of the most rich marine biodiversity in the world, supports millions of coastal people, and is thus of top conservation priority. Given its significance, it is relatively understudied. This desk study was conducted to 1) compile details of the marine protected areas in the SBS, 2) compile relevant research that has taken place in the SBS, and 3) provide a seascape-level synthesis of the known ecological and social conditions in the SBS. Depending on the objective of the research or conservation, four areas of interest were identified: Buton and Solor-Alor regions contain coral reefs of high risk and the most impoverished human populations; the Kei and Tanimbar Archipelagos contain reefs of lowest threat risk, moderate coral cover, and potentially strong traditional resource management.