Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network

Coral reefs are at risk from many threats including global warming causing coral bleaching, over fishing or destructive fishing, pollution by sediments, nutrients and toxic chemicals, coral mining and shoreline development and unregulated tourism. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are an important tool for marine conservation and management. This book provides practical advice on how to design and implement ecological and socio-economic monitoring programmes aimed at addressing these issues.

27% of the world's coral reefs have been lost and 14% are predicted to be destroyed in the next 10 to 20 years. These are the predictions of the world's most authoritative document on the health of reef systems. Released by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), a consortium of major reef monitoring groups in the world, in partnership with IUCN - The World Conservation Union and others, the new report reveals an erratic pattern of damage and recovery worldwide.

This report was written to provide an overview, without the use of scientific jargon, of the status of coral reefs and causes of reef decline, with recommendations for action by national authorities. This second edition is a major expansion and improvement on the first edition written in 1998.

Coral reef management has focused traditionally on the biophysical aspects of coral reefs, but today reefs are coming under increasing pressures from human activities. Understanding the socioeconomic context of reef stakeholders is essential for assessing, predicting and managing reef use. This manual will assist coral reef managers around the world in making basic socioeconomic assessments in their communities.

11% of all coral reefs have been damaged beyond recovery or totally destroyed; another 16% were damaged in 1998 by climate change related to coral bleaching. More than 50% of the world’s mangrove forests have been cleared without understanding the enormous value of these muddy coastal forests. Seagrass beds have had similar losses in many areas. This book was written for practicing resource managers and educators in developing countries.