GCRMN Pilot Monitoring Study
Clive Wilkinson
C.Wilkinson at pearl.aims.gov.au
Sun Oct 27 01:07:36 EDT 1996
GLOBAL CORAL REEF MONITORING NETWORK (GCRMN)
Pilot Monitoring Programme of the IOC-UNEP-IUCN Global Coral Reef Monitoring
Network: we are launching a one-off pilot programme to monitor reefs around
the world. We invite you to participate.
This call is to marine research groups, senior researchers and others who
have experience in monitoring coral reefs, particularly in several different
coral reef regions.
Our goals are to:
establish a cooperative network;
demonstrate to governments, donors and the science community that a network
can function; and
assist developing countries get started in reef monitoring.
We shall ask you to monitor at least one site in your country and a parallel
one with developing country scientists between December 1996 and May 1997;
then pool the data so that we can report a snapshot view of reef status as
part of the International Year of the Reef in June 1997. Methods and protocols
will either be provided by electronic mail or are in the Manual (see below)
now being revised for a 2nd printing.
It is probable that sites monitored this time will constitute the basis for
a global system of regular long-term monitoring.
HISTORY
The concept of global coral reef monitoring has been discussed for many
years. It culminated in June 1992 in Guam, at the 7th International Coral
Reef Symposium when many reef scientists and managers reported their
willingness to participate in a 'snapshot' global reef monitoring programme.
But there was no money to get it started.
METHODS
Methods from the Survey Manual for Tropical Marine Resources (Eds. English,
Wilkinson and Baker, published by AIMS) from the ASEAN-Australia Living
Coastal Resources Project will form the basis for monitoring. These were
chosen as the 'standards' by the UNEP-IOC-WMO-IUCN Meeting of Experts on a
Long-Term Global Monitoring System of Coastal and Near-Shore Phenomena
Related to Climate Change, Pilot Projects on Mangroves and Coral Reefs,
December 1991, and confirmed by the UNEP-IOC-IUCN-ASPEI Global Task Team
on the Implications of Climate Change on Coral Reefs in 1992. However,
during this Pilot project, any comparable methods will be acceptable.
These biophysical monitoring methods include:
manta tow (or equivalent for a broad perspective);
line intercept transect with identification at a minimum of 'lifeform' level
(or equivalent transect method to gather % cover data); and
fish censusing, with emphasis on fisher target species and indicator fish,
like butterfly (chaetodont) fish.
Reporting should also include specific events and activities e.g. bleaching,
predators, dynamite damage, urchin populations etc. Data on these are being
accumulated by several groups, coordinated by Bob Ginsburg in Miami, Gregor
Hodgson in Hong Kong, and John McManus of ReefBase in Manila.
A comparable set of socioeconomic parameters are being assembled.
THE GCRMN
The GCRMN was activated by the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI)
to provide Research and Monitoring information on coral reefs and related
ecosystems for more efficient management and long-term conservation. The
GCRMN has 3 co-sponsors (IOC, UNEP and IUCN), two hosts (AIMS and ICLARM)
and interacts closely with the ICRI Secretariat.
The overall objectives of the GCRMN are to:
improve the conservation, management and sustainable uses
of coral reefs and related ecosystems for peoples of the
tropics and the world through assessing the trends in
biophysical status and social, cultural and economic
values of these ecosystems;
provide many people with the capacity to assess their
resources and integrate these people into a global
network to document and disseminate data on reef status
and trends.
The GCRMN is based on the following principles:
emphasise the involvement of local communities;
put equal emphasis on biophysical and social, cultural and economic data;
function through existing organisations, networks, and monitoring
programmes, not create new bodies;
offer a standard methodology, but be responsive to wishes of participants;
often focus monitoring in current or planned Marine Protected Areas and
adjacent unprotected areas;
ensure that data are accessible to all in an understandable format.
CONTACT
If you want more information, please look up the web site -
http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/gcrmn/gcrmn.html
to sign up contact -
Dr Clive Wilkinson, Coordinator, Global Coral Reef Monitoring
Network, c/o Australian Institute of Marine Science
PMB No. 3, TOWNSVILLE MC 4810, AUSTRALIA
Tel: +61 77 534 372 or +61 77 724 314
Fax: +61 77 722 808 or +61 77 725 852
e-mail: c.wilkinson at aims.gov.au
or
Dr John McManus, ReefBase Project Leader
International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management,
MCPO Box 2631, 0718 MAKATI, Metro Manila, PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63 2 818 0466 or +63 2 817 5255
Fax: +63 2 816 3183
e-mail: j.mcmanus at cgnet.com
Clive Wilkinson, Coordinator
Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network
Tel: +61 77 724314; Fax: +61 77 722808 or 725852
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