In this issue
Announcements
ReefBase Publication Database
Online GIS
Announcements
1. World Ocean Conference
The World Ocean Conference (WOC) 2009 is forum for the world community to discuss
current issues in the marine field which are related to climate change, in order
to achieve an international agreement and draw up an adaptive strategy to use of
marine resources wisely for the benefit of humanity. Alongside the main WOC2009
event, there will be opportunities for scientists and experts, NGO members, and
journalists to discuss the results of research and the latest developments in science
and technology, and establish measures for resolving climate change related problems
in the marine and coastal environment, through holding of a number of side events
organized within the framework of the WOC2009.
This international conference is set to take place in Manado, North Sulawesi of
Indonesia from 11-15 May 2009. For more details, please log on to the official website:
http://www.woc2009.org
2. ReefBase Pacific
The ReefBase Pacific project is the first regional focus of the global ReefBase
project. The Pacific project aims to utilize and strengthen a regional-wide network
of stakeholders to generate and mobilize a relevant, user-friendly knowledge-base
on coral reef systems. The project has successfully created a variety of information
products, in a form of a DVD database, website and printed materials that provide
improved access to information for Pacific and global users. The ReefBase team is
excited to announce the launch of the latest information product; the ReefBase Pacific
Information Portal; Livelihoods, Fisheries and Biodiversity DVD version 2.0. This
DVD is a remote copy of an information system which is also available at http://pacific.reefbase.org.
The collection of data and system features have developed greatly since the release
of DVD version 1.0 and we are pleased to highlight to you these new features:
Pacific ReefGIS is a simple mapping
system that allows users to display and explore information relating to reef locations,
monitoring activities, threats to reefs, images of reefs etc on interactive maps.
Pacific Reefs is a database that
presents information extracted from published status reports; information is provided
by country and presented in 4 categories: Resource, Status, Threats and Management.
Users can extract relevant information pertaining to these 4 categories with an
easy search function tool.
Reef Manager Toolbox provides
quick and easy access to manuals and guidebooks that have been designed to assist
in the effective monitoring and management of reef resources.
Education Center is a virtual
resource center of materials that support reef related education and outreach activities
that mobilize information in a non-technical form to communities, school groups
and the general public.
In addition, the entire ReefBase team is pleased to be a part of the production
and release of the report 'Status of the Coral Reefs of the World' with the Global
Coral Reef Monitoring Network. With the support of the Coral Reef InistiativeS of
the Pacific, reports from the region have been made freely available on our new
DVD and the website http://pacific.reefbase.org. Reports on the status of the
reefs across the globe are freely available from http://www.reefbase.org.
If you wish to receive a copy of the DVD or further information about the ReefBase
Pacific project, please drop us an email at reefbase@cgiar.org.
ReefBase Publication Database
1. SOCMON Global Report
- The world's tropical coasts are home to over two billion people, many of whom live
in poverty and depend on coastal resources such as coral reef fish for their livelihood,
sustenance, and cultural traditions. This report synthesizes data from individual
socioeconomic assessments to quantify and qualify regional and global dependence
on coral reef resources, perceptions of resource conditions, threats to marine and
coastal resources, and support for marine management strategies such as marine protected
areas. Data are included from 49 studies, representing close to 14,000 household
surveys conducted in hundreds of communities in 27 countries.
Loper, C., R. Pomeroy, V. Hoon, P. McConney, M. Pena, A. Sanders, G. Sriskanthan,
S. Vergara, M. Pido, R. Vave, C. Vieux and I. Wanyonyi, 2008. Socioeconomic conditions
along the world's tropical coasts: 2008. SocMon Global Report, 2008. 56pp.
http://www.reefbase.org/resource_center/publication/main.aspx?refid=27174
2. GCRMN, Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2008
- This Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2008 report is the 5th global report since
the GCRMN (Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network), was formed in 1996 as an operational
network of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI). The catalyst for GCRMN
was the inability of international agencies to report objectively on the health
or otherwise of the world's coral reefs. The US government then provided initial
funding to set up a global network of coral reef workers to facilitate reporting
on reef status; and has continued to be the major supporter of GCRMN and ICRI since
the first strategies and action plans were developed in 1995.
Wilkinson, C. (ed.), 2008.
Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2008.
Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network and Reef and Rainforest Research Center, Townsville, Australia. 296pp.
http://www.reefbase.org/resource_center/publication/main.aspx?refid=27173
3. The State of Coral Reef Ecosystem of US and Pacific Freely Associated States:
2008
- Called for by the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force's (USCRTF) National Action Plan to
Conserve Coral Reefs, this is the first biennial report on the condition of coral
reefs. It is the scientific baseline for subsequent reports on the health of U.S.
coral reef ecosystems that are to be used by NOAA and others to evaluate the efficacy
of coral reef conservation and management practices. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's National Ocean Service led the development of this report. It was
authored by 38 experts and supported by 79 contributors from government agencies
and non-governmental organizations across the nation and internationally. Over 100
Task Force members and other notable scientists have reviewed this document.
Waddell, J.E. and A.M. Clarke (eds). NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 73. NOAA/NCCOS
Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment's Biogeography team, 2008. The State
of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States:
2008. Silver Spring. 569pp.
http://www.reefbase.org/resource_center/publication/main.aspx?refid=A0000004544
4. Herbivore species richness and feeding complementarity affect community structure
and function on a coral reef
- Consumer effects on prey are well known for cascading through food webs and producing
dramatic top-down effects on community structure and ecosystem function. Bottom-up
effects of prey (primary producer) biodiversity are also well known. However, the
role of consumer diversity in affecting community structure or ecosystem function
is not well understood. Here, we show that herbivore species richness can be critical
for maintaining the structure and function of coral reefs. In two experiments over
2 years, we constructed large cages enclosing single herbivore species, equal densities
of mixed species of herbivores, or excluding herbivores and assessed effects on
both seaweeds and corals.
Burkepile, D.E. and M.E. Hay, 2008. Herbivore species richness and feeding complementarity
affect community structure and function on a coral reef. PNAS, October 21, 2008,
Vol. 105, No. 42:16201–16206pp.
http://www.reefbase.org/resource_center/publication/main.aspx?refid=27194
5. Ocean acidification causes bleaching and productivity loss in coral reef builders
- Ocean acidification represents a key threat to coral reefs by reducing the calcification
rate of framework builders. In addition, acidification is likely to affect the relationship
between corals and their symbiotic dinoflagellates and the productivity of this
association. However, little is known about how acidification impacts on the physiology
of reef builders and how acidification interacts with warming. Here, we report on
an 8-week study that compared bleaching, productivity, and calcification responses
of crustose coralline algae (CCA) and branching (Acropora) and massive (Porites)
coral species in response to acidification and warming. Using a 30-tank experimental
system, we manipulated CO2 levels to simulate doubling and three- to fourfold increases
[Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projection categories IV and VI]
relative to present-day levels under cool and warm scenarios. Results indicated
that high CO2 is a bleaching agent for corals and CCA under high irradiance, acting
synergistically with warming to lower thermal bleaching thresholds. We propose that
CO2 induces bleaching via its impact on photoprotective mechanisms of the photosystems.
Anthony, K.R.N., D.I. Kline, G. Diaz-Pulido, S. Dove and O. Hoegh-Guldberg, 2008.
Ocean acidification causes bleaching and productivity loss in coral reef builders.
PNAS, November 11, 2008. Vol. 105. No. 45: 17442–17446pp.
http://www.reefbase.org/resource_center/publication/main.aspx?refid=27195
Online GIS
1. Annual / December 2008 NOAA Coral Reef Watch's Satellite Monitoring Products
This map shows the global observations of coral bleaching occurrences combined with
NOAA Coral Reef Watch's satellite monitoring products including Sea Surface Temperature,
Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly, Bleaching HotSpot and Degree Heating Weeks. These
datasets are added into ReefBase Online GIS each month.
To view the latest Annual / December 2008 maps, click here.
http://reefgis.reefbase.org/redirect.aspx?urlid=24457
|