ReefBase

One of the ReefBase's main focuses is to maintain a global repository of
coral bleaching data to support coral reef monitoring and related
research. There rises an urgent need to obtain a more complete
information and data on coral bleaching as the phenomenon continues to
emerge as one of the most significant and widespread threat to coral
reefs around the world. 

The gathering of coral bleaching information is hence a key action to
the scientific understanding and the prediction of the fate of coral
reefs- subsequently to develop feasible and effective management
strategies. Hence, ReefBase has strived to maintain the most up-to-date
global database on coral bleaching events available, as well as a
comprehensive collection of images and reports related to bleaching. 

1.        If you have any information on bleaching events (anywhere
around the world), please submit a bleaching report to ReefBase using a
form available here
 .
(http://www.reefbase.org/contribute/bleachingreportentry.aspx?page=2).

2.        Other data relating to coral bleaching can also be submitted in
the form of publication references, photos and maps
(http://www.reefbase.org/contribute/default.aspx).

4.       These data will then be synthesized and integrated into graphs
and ReefGIS maps, which has been a useful data resource for many studies
concerning coral bleaching.
5.       ReefBase also provide a global protocol for assessment and
monitoring of coral bleaching -  developed by the WorldFish Center and
WWF which can be downloaded here
<http://reefbase.org/resource_center/publication/main.aspx?author=oliver&year=2004&logic=and&keyword=protocol&sortby=author> . 

(http://reefbase.org/resource_center/publication/main.aspx?author=oliver&year=2004&logic=and&keyword=protocol&sortby=author)

Alternatively, the ReefBase team would definitely like to hear any
questions or suggestions regarding datasets of coral bleaching by
dropping me an email. 

Thank you all in advance for the kind contribution.
 

Cheers,

Evelyn Teh

Research Assistant

ReefBase Project

The WorldFish Center

Data for 2008 "Status of Coral Reefs of the World"

A call from Ms Helen Sykes of Marine Ecology Consulting...

================================================

We are now calling for data from anyone who wishes to contribute to the 2007 Fiji report, which in turn will be included in the 2008 "Status of Coral Reefs of the World" edited by Clive Wilkinson of AIMS. All contributors will be acknowledged in the reports, and also help us to
increase the representation of more regions of the Fiji Islands. Data need to be with me by 15 DECEMBER 2007.

You can send me raw data if you wish, but I know many organisations need to hold on to original information. All I need are averages in the form of summaries. The reef should be as representative as possible of the area you work in, and it's great if you have data at two depths, one between 3 and 6 metres and one betwen 9 and 12 metres, but we will take any data you care to share. If you do not measure all the criteria below, send what you have - not all sites contribute to all categories.

Country

Region

Site name

GPS reference

Depth

Reef Type

Date

Water Temperature

Organisation name

Surveyor name

Survey method used

Please give means of at least 4 samples with standard deviation if possible:

Percentage substrate cover at the most complex level you record:

(Corals, Algae, Sponges, Abiotic substrate types)

Number of macro-invertebrates per 100m2 of reef Sea Cucumbers, Diadema Urchins, Tripnuestes Urchins, Pencil Urchins, Lobster, Banded Coral Shrimp, Crown of Thorns Stars, Giant Clams (Giant Clams with a size estimation)

Number of fish in these groups per 100m2 of reef Butterflyfish, Snappers, Sweetlips, Parrotfish over 20cm long, Moray Eels, Surgeon and Unicornfish, Goatfish, Jacks and Trevallies, Groupers (Groupers with a size estimation)

Any sightings, whether on a transect or off it, of Bumphead Parrotfish, Humphead Wrasse and Turtles. Turtles to species if possible, plus any notes on habitat and behaviour which may be possible.

Thanks and best regards,

Helen Sykes

Director

marine ecology

Fiji's leading company for Coastal & Marine Ecology Assessments

Resort Support

PO Box 2558, Govt Buildings

Suva, Fiji Islands

t: +679-336-3625 / +679-359-2136

e: helen@marineecologyfiji.com

July 2007 NOAA Coral Reef Watch's Satellite Monitoring Products

This map shows the global observations of coral bleaching occurrences combined with NOAA Coral Reef Watch's satellite monitoring products including Sea Surface Temperature, Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly, Bleaching HotSpot and Degree Heating Weeks.

These datasets are added into ReefBase Online GIS each month.

To view the latest July 2007 maps, click here.

http://reefgis.reefbase.org/redirect.aspx?urlid=2320

New version of the ReefBase's Online Geographic Information System (ReefGIS) is now available

ReefBase are pleased to launch a new version of the ReefBase's Online Geographic Information System (ReefGIS): http://reefgis.reefbase.org.

What's new in ReefGIS:

1. A major revision of the entire site which is now matches the look and feel of the main ReefBase website.

2. A new Flash based map with integrated navigation toolbar providing a more user friendly interface and quick access to information.

3. Broader map saving options (.png, .jpg, .tif) provide easier integration of maps into publications or presentations. You can customize the map by modifying the title, adding legend, and including custom notes. A preview function allows you to view customized map before saving. The saved map can then be downloaded directly to your hard drive or emailed to any account.

4. Save selected datasets into various file formats (.xls, .doc, .csv, .txt, .xml). This feature provides for better data sharing. You can easily import the datasets to your system for further analysis.

5. Email the URL of a specific map view (zoomed, specific layers and etc) to colleagues.

6. New maps added include Coral Reef Morphology, Coral Bleaching, NOAA Sea Surface Temperature and Solomon's Post-disaster.

and much more...

ReefBase hope the new look and functionality of ReefBase will benefit your work. They welcome any feedback or comments you may have.

Coral Reef MPAs of East Asia and Micronesia data are now available online and CD format

The "Coral Reef MPAs of East Asia and Micronesia" project is a collaborative effort between The WorldFish Center (ReefBase Project) and Japan Wildlife Research Center (JWRC), and funded by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan, as part of the Japan-Palau ICRI secretariat Plan of Action for 2005 -2007.

The project output has been summarized and published as a new key topic in ReefBase "Key Topics" section.

Click here: http://www.reefbase.org/key_topics/coralreefmpas.aspx

ReefBase Pacific: Strengthening Information Access and Dissemination in Support of Effective Coral Reef Conservation and Management

Duration: January 2006 – December 2008

Funding: AFD, UNF

Partners: International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN), Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), University of the South Pacific (USP), École pratique des hautes etudes (EPHE), South Pacific Environment Program (SPREP)

Objectives
The ReefBase Pacific project will make an important contribution to realisation of the objectives of AFD’s Regional Initiative For The Protection And Management Of Coral Reefs In The South Pacific (CRISP) by:

• Promoting a holistic approach to the protection and management of coral reefs (considering not only ecological, but also social and economical information requirements) by applying the lessons learned from previous and existing activities by ICRAN, ReefBase, GCRMN, and regional partners.


• Mobilizing, standardizing, integrating, disseminating, and promoting the extensive data-, information-, and knowledge-bases currently present, but underutilized, in the South Pacific nations and territories.


• Increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of targeted research, by assembling and rationalizing the information needed to build effectively on previous and existing work.


• Providing a vehicle for dissemination of information for coral reef initiatives.

In order to make these contributions effectively, the proposed project has set the following general objectives (in logical order):

• To develop an active, collaborative, region-wide network of coral reef professionals currently involved in the research, conservation, and management of coral reef resources in the South Pacific, who effectively and efficiently share and discuss data, information, issues, and solutions.


• To use the region-wide network to mobilize an unprecedented knowledge-base on coral reef resources and their monitoring, conservation and management in the Pacific, using established methodologies and formats developed by ReefBase, GCRMN, and ICRAN.


• To utilize the network and knowledge-base to create an effective, easily accessible information system which can provide managers, researchers, and reef users with instant access to the wealth of existing and new information relevant to the management and sustainable use of coral reefs in the Pacific.


• To widen the scope, impact, efficiency and effectiveness of current coral reef management and conservation activities, through the development of a network of professionals in Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, who communicate and share information.

The project will develop close collaborations with existing information systems and initiatives and seek to coordinate and interlink them together in ReefBase Pacific by jointly developing, disseminating, and promoting relevant, high quality information products for specific, targeted beneficiaries (researchers, managers, policymakers, educators, and the media).