About This Project

The goal of this project is to assess how humans and climate change has impacted coral reefs globally by expertly assessing the status of different coral species in different regions around the world. At least 50% of the worlds coral reefs have already been destroyed. The goal is to rank each country by the health and status of coral reef habitats, and to offer mitigating solutions to a range of stakeholders to improve coral conservation worldwide!

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

More than 50% of the worlds coral reefs have already been destroyed and more continue to die each day. Snorkelling around the world, I have seen how detrimentally impacted the corals are from humans and climate change. I have spent 6 years in university studying marine biology and plan to improve coral conservation! Coral reef ecosystems lack proper management and long-term restoration plans. I plan to collect global data, assess different stocks and inform managing bodies. All of my data and assessments will have open and free access to anyone worldwide.

What is the significance of this project?

Restoring the world's coral reefs from coral bleaching and human impacts is an issue that has yet to be addressed. About 1% coral reefs die each year. It is critical to do something about this now, before it is too late. Coral reefs are important animals in the marine world, and over half a billion people depend on reefs for food, income, and protection. Providing data on the health and status assessments of corals worldwide is needed immediately to help inform stakeholders and managing bodies who can then put a restoration and protection plan in place.

What are the goals of the project?

Our first goal is to create global distribution maps of the many different species of coral, allocating to the marine ecoregion level for individual "stocks" (special software required).

Our second goal is to identify the stocks and assign biomass indices for each stock (mass data collection required).

Our third goal is to perform expert stock assessments for each country worldwide (special software required).

Our fourth goal is to rank each country on the health and status of their coral reefs, worldwide, in hopes of better informing managing bodies to improve coral conservation.