Coral Reef Targeted Research and Capacity Building for Management

This project proposes to conduct specific, targeted research to fill critically important information gaps in the fundamental understanding of coral reef ecosystems so that management and policy interventions can be strengthened globally. The purpose of the targeted research is to test specific hypotheses related to major human and natural factors threatening coral reef health. The project has five major objectives: 1.target the most important gaps in applied scientific understanding related to the resilience and vulnerability of coral reef ecosystems; develop and refine rigorous protocols capable of examining specific factors concerning coral reef health, by differentiating climate-related factors from anthropogenic ones across appropriate scales in space and time2.establish an effective, scientific framework and knowledge base for the express purpose of synthesizing and comparing findings between sites across national boundaries, and at regional and global levels3.apply the relevant findings to management interventions and policy formulation at national and local levels, and integrate relevant findings into Country Assistance Strategies; 4.further the involvement, cooperation and enhance the capacity of researchers within developing countries as part of the global, applied research framework 5.in light of research results, assist the Global Environment Facility to prioritize its allocation of resources for the conservation of coral reefs, as global repositories of marine biodiversity and important transboundary marine ecosystems vulnerable to the impacts of Climate Change.Sept. 2003 - Full projectThe project’s major objective is to fill critical gaps in global understanding of what determines coral reef ecosystem vulnerability and resilience to today’s range of key stressors—ranging from climate change to localized human stress--and to use this knowledge to strengthen management policies for the benefit of the communities that depend on coral reefs, the localities and countries in which they are located, and for the world as a whole. A related objective is to build much-needed capacity for science-based management of coral reefs in developing countries where the majority of reefs are found.