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Planning for Resilience: 2nd Reef Resilience Conference and 26th US Coral Reef Task Force Meeting

Executive Summary on the Economic Valuation of Hawaii’s Coral Reefs

Spotlight on the Mesoamerican Reef

Recent Publications and Other Resources

Upcoming Events

 

 

To join the Resilience Practitioners Network or to submit updates, contact us at resilience@tnc.org.

For more information about The Nature Conservancy's Reef Resilience Program, visit reefresilience.org.

This newsletter is brought to you through the generous support of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program.
 

 Reef Resilience Newsletter:
December 2011 

   Distributed by the Global Marine Initiative

Planning for Resilience: 2nd Reef Resilience Conference and 26th US Coral Reef Task Force Meeting


R2 Conference
Journalists from the Society of Environmental Journalists interview a panel of coral reef experts on reef resilience-related topics. © TNC

This past October, the 26th U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) Meeting in partnership with the 2nd Reef Resilience Conference (RRC) was held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The mission of the USCRTF, to lead, coordinate, and strengthen U.S. government actions to better preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems, was met with the Workshop’s theme “Planning for Resilience” to address spatial planning within Florida and in the wider Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.

Coordinated by the Florida Reef Resilience Program, a consortium of local and state agencies and partners and chaired by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the meeting was a successful 2-day workshop with presentations on subjects including the Florida Reef Resilience Program, the Climate Change Action Plan for Florida Coral Reef Systems, Reef Resilience Science updates, and Coastal Marine Spatial Planning (CMSP) for Coral Reef Ecosystems. A group of representatives from recreational fishing, commercial fishing and diving industries throughout the world presented on their personal views of CMSP conservation strategies in “Voices of the Reef”, which was a smashing hit with participants. Another success was the International Reef Resilience Practitioners Workshop, where several reef and reef resource managers presented their application of reef resilience trainings, workshops, and learning exchanges in their locale.

U.S. residents say Hawaii’s coral reef ecosystems worth $33.57 billion per year: Executive Summary on the Economic Valuation of Hawaii’s Coral Reefs


This study employed a scientifically developed national Internet survey of more than 3,200 households – a representative sample of all U.S. residents, not just Hawaiians or coastal dwellers. From June through October 2009, the survey allowed the public to express its preferences and values for protection and restoration of the coral reef ecosystems around the main Hawaiian Islands.

"Hawaiians, as well as residents from across the United States, treasure Hawaii’s coral reefs, even those citizens who never get to visit,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “This study illustrates the economic value of coral reefs to all Americans, and how important it is to conserve these ecosystems for future generations.”

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Spotlight on the Mesoamerican Reef

Mesoamerican Reef

Map of Mesoamerican Reef. © TNC
WStretching for 625 miles along the coastline of Honduras, Guatemala, Belize and Mexico, the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) is the second largest barrier reef in the world. It encompasses a rich mosaic of ecosystems host more that 500 fish species, 60 coral species, 350 mollusk and other marine mammals, algae and seagrasses. It is home to critically endangered species, like the largest population of manatees in the Western Caribbean, saltwater crocodile, sea turtle (green, hawksbill and loggerhead), Nassau and Goliath grouper, and the largest aggregation of whale sharks in the world.

The main threats affecting the MAR are overfishing, pollution from inland and coastal settlements, runoff from agriculture, sedimentation, coastal ecosystems conversion due to coastal development and inappropriate tourism practices. Climate change driven stressors are pushing ecosystems to their limits and affecting their capacity to sustain human use and pressure.
 
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Recent Publications and Other Resources

Publications:

Critical Thresholds in Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) of Coral Reef Fisheries

Good coastal management practices in the Pacific: Experiences from the field.

Adapting to a Changing Environment: Confronting the Consequences of Climate Change is a new book proposing solutions to the social and ecological challenges posed by climate change.

Differential Responses of the Coral Host and Their Algal Symbiont to Thermal Stress

The Diversity of Coral Reefs: What Are We Missing?

Present Limits to Heat-Adaptability in Corals and Population-Level Responses to Climate Extremes


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Upcoming Events

Coral Reefs of the Gulf Conference
January 17-19, 2012
Abu Dhabi, UAE

2012 Global MPA Enforcement Conference
February 19-23, 2012
San Francisco, CA

12th International Coral Reef Symposium
July 9-13, 2012
Cairns, Queensland, Australia

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