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Measuring, Interpreting, and Responding to Changes in Coral Reefs: A Challenge for Biologists, Geologists, and Managers

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Coral Reefs at the Crossroads

Part of the book series: Coral Reefs of the World ((CORW,volume 6))

Abstract

What, exactly, is a coral reef? And how have the world’s reefs changed in the last several decades? What are the stressors undermining reef structure and function? Given the predicted effects of climate change, do reefs have a future? Is it possible to “manage” coral reefs for resilience? What can coral reef scientists contribute to improve protection and management of coral reefs? What insights can biologists and geologists provide regarding the persistence of coral reefs on a human timescale? What is reef change to a biologist… to a geologist?

Clearly, there are many challenging questions. In this chapter, we present some of our thoughts on monitoring and management of coral reefs in US national parks in the Caribbean and western Atlantic based on our experience as members of monitoring teams. We reflect on the need to characterize and evaluate reefs, on how to conduct high-quality monitoring programs, and on what we can learn from biological and geological experiments and investigations. We explore the possibility that specific steps can be taken to “manage” coral reefs for greater resilience.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. Dennis Hubbard for inviting us to submit this chapter and for stimulating exhausting but productive discussions and two USGS scientists for reviewing an earlier draft. Dr. Bill Precht’s review was particularly insightful and constructive. We also wish to thank Julia Dileo and Lee Richter for their helpful comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Caribbean Field Station, US Geological Survey, 1300 Cruz Bay Creek, St. John, VI, 00830, USA

    Caroline S. Rogers

  2. South Florida/Caribbean Inventory and Monitoring Network, US National Park Service, 1300 Cruz Bay Creek, St. John, VI, 00830, USA

    Jeff Miller

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  1. Caroline S. Rogers
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Correspondence to Caroline S. Rogers .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, USA

    Dennis K. Hubbard

  2. Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Car, US Geological Survey, St. John, Virgin Islands, USA

    Caroline S. Rogers

  3. John D. Cooper Archaeological and Paleon, Santa Ana, California, USA

    Jere H. Lipps

  4. Department of Geosciences, The University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA

    George D. Stanley, Jr.

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Rogers, C.S., Miller, J. (2016). Measuring, Interpreting, and Responding to Changes in Coral Reefs: A Challenge for Biologists, Geologists, and Managers. In: Hubbard, D., Rogers, C., Lipps, J., Stanley, Jr., G. (eds) Coral Reefs at the Crossroads. Coral Reefs of the World, vol 6. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-7567-0_12

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