[Coral-List] Global Coral Disease Database update - do you have data?

Michelle Taylor Michelle.Taylor at unep-wcmc.org
Tue Feb 15 08:00:13 EST 2005


Dear Coral List, 

Coral Disease Database update - do you have data?

Under its remit for international assessment and analysis of ecosystems
and biodiversity, UNEP-WCMC created the first version of the global
database of coral disease incidence in 1999/2000. There are currently
over 2000 data points from 155 references recorded within the database
(references are, for the majority, peer reviewed, see full details at:
http://www.unep-wcmc.org/marine/coraldis/guide.htm).

Now, with the support of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), new data is being collated for a revision of the
coral disease database.  Data has been sourced from reviews of published
literature (from 2000 to present), as well as from a number of other
expert and novice sources including reports on the Coral List, AGGRA
(Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment) reports, Coral Cay
Conservation data, government reports and with support and advice from
leading international coral disease scientists.

The first edition of the database had a strong bias to the west
Atlantic, reflecting research and available published data pre-2000. In
recent years coral disease research has had a wider geographical range
and we wish to reflect this in the current revision of the coral disease
database. 

I'm writing to enquire if members of the Coral List would be able to
contribute data (incidental sightings, monitoring data, unpublished data
and references) to this database. We would, of course, reference all
data accordingly and can enter into a data sharing agreements where
necessary. The data will be made available in an on line database of
coral disease distribution. The data will also be made available to a
mirror site hosted by Reefbase.  The collection phase for this project
finishes on the 28th February 2005.

Should you wish to contribute data I have attached a document, with my
full contact details, explaining the database fields, priority
information, data submission and format requirements.
If you have any questions about the database or your potential input
please do not hesitate to contact me.

Warmest regards, 

Michelle Taylor



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