[Coral-List] ICRS 2020 abstract call for Session =?utf-8?Q?=E2=80=9CWhere_?=are coral reefs now and where are they headed: The status of coral reefs of the world in =?utf-8?Q?2020=E2=80=9D._?=(in Theme 7, Scalable observations and technologies)

[David Obura]

Dear coral-listers,
Please submit your abstract for this session on the status of coral reefs around the world. The core of this session will be the global status of coral reefs by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network being published in 2020, and in particular regional results from the global analysis.

We also encourage submissions on different aspects of the health of coral reefs and reef-dependent communities, including ecological, social, economic and cultural dimensions. In particular we encourage submissions that cover broader spatial or temporal scales  (e.g. among regions, across multiple assessment teams, in relation to specific threats or issues, using novel or established assessment/indicator processes or technologies, etc.).
Looking forward to receiving your submissions,

Sincerely,

David Obura and the session convenors



For more details on the sessions, themes and abstract submission, go to http://www.icrs2020.de/program/call-for-abstracts/.

Abstracts must be 2500 characters or less, and submitted by 1 September, midnight, in Germany (TEN DAYS REMAINING).

Session title: Where are coral reefs now and where are they headed: The status of coral reefs of the world in 2020.
Convenors: David Souter (AIMS), David Obura(CORDIO/IUCN-CSG), Serge Planes (CRIOBE), Supin Wongbusarakum (NOAA)
Session abstract: Despite the unquestionable value of coral reefs to local communities, national economies and global biodiversity, there has been a steady worldwide decline in their condition as a result of increasing local to global pressures. Prevention of further degradation and maintenance of resilience within these critical ecosystems is dependent on understanding the interdependence of reefs and people, and the implementation of appropriate and timely management actions. The foundation for such knowledge is gained through the implementation of targeted long-term and integrated monitoring programs. The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) is an operational network of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), and a worldwide network of coral reef scientists, managers, and organisations. Since its establishment in 1995, the GCRMN has produced five Status of Coral Reefs of the World reports between 1998 and 2008. These reports have had significant impact within the g
lobal scientific, NGO, government and United Nations (UN) communities, with the UN recognising GCRMN's significant role in monitoring progress toward coral reef-related Aichi Biodiversity Targets (Target 10) and Sustainable Development Goals (13 & 14). In response to calls by ICRI members, a new GCRMN Implementation and Governance Plan has been adopted, with an initial focus on the next Status of Coral Reefs of the World report. The report will be launched at ICRS 2020, and this mini-symposium will inform conference participants and a global audience of the current status of the world's coral reefs, the major threats they face, their socio-economic importance, and the initiatives being implemented to manage and conserve these critical ecosystems. This session welcomes contributions presenting long-term surveys of coral reefs, integrated datasets and innovative monitoring tools to promote greater collaboration and magnification of monitoring consistent with the UN Decade of Ocean Scie
nce for Sustainability.
This session is in Theme 7: Scalable observations and technologies.
Description: Coral reef are profusely biodiverse ecosystems with complex spatial and community structural patterns. The dense tapestry of taxonomic variety, topographic complexity and specific adaptations poses challenges to a reductionist study of reef systems. Our scales of observation, analysis and explanation need to span the range from cellular or organism level to regional and biogeographic levels. This requires innovative developments of technology, methodology, data acquisition and analysis as a means to scale up observations across scales of reef system function. Theme 7 welcomes contributions that relate to scaling up our observations of reef organisms and systems, improving analytical throughput, cross-disciplinary efforts and reaching new levels of explanations of system function.


David Obura || CORDIO East Africa, #9 Kibaki Flats, Kenyatta Beach, Bamburi Beach, P.O.BOX 10135 Mombasa 80101, Kenya
Email: dobura at cordioea.net; davidobura at gmail.com; Website: www.cordioea.net; www.wiofutures.net
Mobile: +254-715 067417; skype dobura; Twitter @dobura