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Understanding Coral Reef Ecosystems
The National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs tasks NOAA and its Coral Reef Task Force partners with developing a comprehensive understanding of coral reef ecosystems to improve stewardship of these valuable resources. This includes studying the causes of coral reef decline, determining the impacts of natural and human stresses on reef and reef-associated ecosystems, and developing effective solutions to reduce human impacts.
The plan describes four distinct goals to meeting the overall objective:
- Develop comprehensive maps of all U.S. reefs;
- Develop a nationally-coordinated coral reef inventory, assessment and monitoring program;
- Support research that focuses on determining the status of coral reef health and recovery, including basic ecological processes, bleaching and disease, and best management practices for managing reefs and marine and terrestrial habitats; and
- Conduct socioeconomic studies of the human dimension of successful coral reef conservation.
Mapping
Monitoring and Assessment
Supporting Research
Conducting Socioeconomic Studies
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This satellite image shows the French Frigate Shoals Reserve Preservation Area in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, which includes approximately 177 square nautical miles (606 square kilometers) of submerged coral reef habitats.
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Mapping
NOAA and its partners intend to map all shallow U.S. reefs by 2009. To that end, NOAA has made significant progress. In the U.S. Caribbean, comprehensive coral reef habitat maps for Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and other areas have been completed. Multi-beam, deep- water surveys of the west Florida shelf currently are underway.
In the Main Hawaiian Islands, NOAA and its partners are developing comprehensive digital coral reef ecosystem benthic habitat maps. In the Northwest Hawaiian Islands (NWHI), NOAA is updating positional accuracy data for several atolls and islands in the area to provide more accurate navigational charts.
NOAA also is using high resolution satellite imagery to map and characterize NWHI coral reef habitats from 0 to 30 meters depth. Using survey-grade global positioning system data, benthic data and gravimetric data, NOAA is working to seamlessly integrate its maps with terrestrial topographic mapping programs, thus providing extremely accurate aeronautical and nautical charting.
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A blue angelfish on an Oculina coral head at Jeff's Reef, one of the few areas within the Oculina Bank Reserve where Oculina coral stands are healthy. Though the Reserve faces a long road to recovery, recent evidence suggests that some fish stocks may be rebounding.
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Monitoring and Assessment
In 2001, NOAA conducted numerous missions to monitor and assess the conditions of U.S. reefs. For instance, new monitoring stations, which provide real-time in situ meteorological and oceanographic data, were added to NOAA’s early warning coral reef monitoring program in the Caribbean and NWHI. An assessment of the deep Oculina coral reef habitat, situated off the coast of Florida, was completed. Despite the area's designation as a fisheries protected area, the study revealed that the area continues to be heavily damaged by fishing activities. However, evidence suggests fish stocks appear to be rebounding slightly in areas that remain intact. In addition, NOAA completed a draft report of the Baseline Multispecies Coral Reef Fish Stock Assessments for the Dry Tortugas, revealing that 40 percent of the analyzed fish stocks were overfished. Finally, NOAA completed an evaluation of two Acropora coral species in the Florida Keys, which have declined by up to 98 percent in the area. The information will be used to determine the species’ eligibility for protection under the Endangered Species Act.
Monitoring and assessment projects continue to be a priority in 2002, with many efforts underway.
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NOAA performs extensive monitoring of the coral reefs in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Here, an observer examines a massive coral species.
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Supporting Research
Many U.S. reefs are being devastated by "epidemics" of diseases that kill corals and other reef species. Little is known about the source of or treatment for these diseases. Working with partners, NOAA has created and helped fund the interagency Coral Reef Disease Consortium, which tracks and predicts coral disease and bleaching outbreaks, and supports research aimed at finding solutions to these problems. Other extensive coral reef research is ongoing.
In 2002, NOAA will implement the Coral Reef Conservation Program, which will provide additional funding through grants for states, territories, nonprofit organizations and others to address coral reef issues. Other potential activities include initiating regional ecosystem studies to better understand the causes of reef decline and address needs in Florida and the Caribbean.
Conducting Socioeconomic Studies
In 2001, NOAA and its partners completed a series of studies on the use and economic value of southeast Florida's coral reef ecosystem. One study estimated that over 8 million people participate in reef-related activities during the course of a year. In Monroe county alone, coral reef activities supported an estimated 8,000 jobs, and brought in an estimated $363 million in sales and $106 million in income. The study assessed the value of southeast Florida's reefs at $7.6 billion.
In 2002, NOAA will continue its efforts to study the complex socio-economic issues affecting the use of, appreciation for, and health of coral reef ecosystems.
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