|
Description:
Project Manager:
John Tomczuk
Project Years:
2021
2022
2023
Project Summary:
Local resource managers, operating with limited funds, often require reliable access to current, spatially-explicit and easily interpretable data to help prioritize coral reef sites for risk assessments and conservation actions. In the past decade, NOAA and other agencies have invested and developed a rich repository of data that is being (or could be) used to support effective coral reef conservation in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Furthermore, NOAA CRCP has funded the development of a comprehensive spatial database intended to support an objective decision framework and help prioritize sites in the USVI for conservation (NCCOS 2017). Although the existing USVI Prioritization Framework currently can support strategic permitting and planning though the ranking of sites based on assessed threats, presence of key species (e.g., ESA Corals), local knowledge of important valuable sites, and many other map features, USVI coastal managers are interested in knowing and being able to identify areas that may be resilient to long-term climate effects, as well as shorter-term chronic impacts such as coral disease. Specifically, managers urgently need to know: Where are the best examples of coral reefs? Where are the most climate resilient reefs and the most disease resilient reefs? This information will allow managers and investors to better prioritize, evaluate and target actions.
Expected Outcome:
The aim for this one-year project is to support management partners in their quest to implement resilience-based management and to guide CRCP conservation investments to address strategic plan objectives and targets. NCCOS and AOML will provide a coral reef prioritization tool that will assist the US Virgin Islands in identifying sites less vulnerable from climate impacts to assist with taking management actions to conserve coral reef ecosystems.
Project Locations:
Project Category:
Climate Change
Project Status:
Funding Ended
Associated Products:
|
