New tools and technologies for coral reef protection
Robert H. Richmond, Ph.D.
The downward global trajectory for coral reefs has reached a crisis decision point for implementing activities and actions for managing impacts, and protecting the future of these important ecosystems and those who depend on them. Local stressors include land-based sources of pollution and over-exploitation of key marine species such as herbivorous fish, which remain the appropriate targets for continued local management actions and activities. However, this approach is no longer sufficient, as even in areas where such efforts are showing success, the increasing impacts of climate change are overriding gains. New molecular tools in genomics, proteomics and transcriptomics are providing data to better guide management actions and activities at the coral population level, and new technologies provide a means of applying this knowledge at the ecosystem level. The members of the Coral Reef Task Force need to address limitations in the present policy and regulatory frameworks to keep up with these valuable and timely advancements.
Kewalo Marine Laboratory, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Robert H. Richmond, Ph.D.
The downward global trajectory for coral reefs has reached a crisis decision point for implementing activities and actions for managing impacts, and protecting the future of these important ecosystems and those who depend on them. Local stressors include land-based sources of pollution and over-exploitation of key marine species such as herbivorous fish, which remain the appropriate targets for continued local management actions and activities. However, this approach is no longer sufficient, as even in areas where such efforts are showing success, the increasing impacts of climate change are overriding gains. New molecular tools in genomics, proteomics and transcriptomics are providing data to better guide management actions and activities at the coral population level, and new technologies provide a means of applying this knowledge at the ecosystem level. The members of the Coral Reef Task Force need to address limitations in the present policy and regulatory frameworks to keep up with these valuable and timely advancements.
Kewalo Marine Laboratory, University of Hawaii at Manoa