“Integrating Science and Management in
the Caribbean”
Issue
Coral reefs possess the greatest ecological complexity
and biodiversity among marine ecosystems, and represent
an invaluable economic and recreational resource.
However, the integrity of coral reefs is threatened
by numerous anthropogenic and natural stresses
including sediments, nutrient enrichment, climate
change (coral bleaching), over-harvesting, and
storms. Compared to other marine systems, coral
reefs may be particularly vulnerable to watershed-based
stresses related to coastal development, since
coral reefs are usually best developed near areas
with low sediment and nutrient input. Over-harvesting
may also be particularly hazardous since coral
reefs may be highly dependent upon complex biological
interactions involving predation, herbivory and
competition.
In addition to the separate effects of various
stressors, synergistic interactions among stressors
can further degrade coral reef health. For instance,
overharvesting of the grazers that control algae
might allow increased algal cover on the reef which
may compromise the resiliency of some reefs to
increased nutrient inputs.
Approach
The impacts of anthropogenic effects may be mitigated by implementation
of marine protected areas (MPAs). However, the development of
sound ecological strategies for management not only requires
the analysis of various stresses and biological processes, but
also must involve socioeconomic concerns and user-friendly modeling
systems to evaluate the efficacy of management options.
The Integrating Science and Management in the Caribbean project
will:
- Identify and evaluate factors critical to the decline of
coral reefs in the proposed study areas
- Evaluate effective management approaches
- Develop tools to assist resource managers
- Evaluate socio-economic concerns vital to management plans
- Integrate environmental studies, socioeconomic impacts, and
modeling into a comprehensive ecological study
The project was initiated in Fiscal Year 2003 as a science-based,
integrated approach to understand coral reef dynamics and processes,
and to provide tools and options for coral reef management. The
program will be based at three sites: La Parguera and Culebra,
Puerto Rico, and St. John, US Virgin Islands, all of which contain
marine protected areas in various stages of development. Research
conducted at these sites will build upon current research and
historical data going back 40 years and the comparison of processes
(both ecological and social) will result in greater understanding
of coral reef function and provide a scientific basis for reef
conservation and restoration.
Management and Policy Implications
The research will quantify linkages within the complex association
of species, habitats, and social systems, including:
- Land-water interactions, including linking models of terrestrial
runoff and coastal zone development
- Linkages among small-scale habitats and large-scale areas
within reef developments
- Changes in trophic dynamics (from fishing pressure, etc.)
and their effects on reef health and dynamics
- Linkages between human activities and natural systems
The
program will evaluate alternative management strategies, particularly
the effectiveness of marine protected areas, by comparing the
marine reserves at each of the study sites. Each reserve has
a historical and spatial basis for comparison. The program
will assess the impacts of fishery closure on the reefs themselves
and on the controlling processes (changes in community and trophic
structure), and will evaluate the socioeconomic processes affecting
the implementation and success of each reserve.
Finally, the program will develop user-friendly Geographic Information
System (GIS) based models as an ecosystem management tool. The
models will have a predictive capability, and incorporate terrestrial
inputs, current-flow models, trophic models of marine reserves,
and integrate natural and social processes and impacts.
Accomplishments
Preliminary accomplishments are now being reported on the
Center
for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA) CRES — US Caribbean
Component web site.
For More Information
Note: CCRI is a Cooperative Agreement between the University of Puerto Rico/Mayaguez and NOAA's Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research (CSCOR). CCRI is a core component of NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program.