NERP TE Project 9.1 - Dynamic vulnerability maps and decision support tools for the Great Barrier Reef (AIMS)

Project summary

To support management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, coral reef managers need decision support tools that can integrate physical and biological information at a variety of spatial and temporal scales. In this project we will construct vulnerability maps for the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) that combines our knowledge of ocean warming, hydrodynamics, ocean chemistry with ecological responses of coral reef organisms. By combining reef vulnerability maps with social and financial criteria reef managers can optimise management planning under different environmental scenarios.

Linkage of coral reefs threats
Linkage of coral reefs threats

Linkages between global drivers (climate change, ocean acidification and partly storms) and local/regional drivers on the resilience and vulnerability of coral reefs.

© courtesy Ken Anthony, 2012
Conceptual resilience model
Conceptual resilience model

Conceptual resilience model: managing disturbances such as the Crown-of-Thorns starfish supports reef resilience.

© courtesy Ken Anthony, 2012, with thanks to John Bennett

Why this research is needed

One of the greatest challenges for management planning of the GBR is to understand how to best protect reef ecosystems from different types of threats. Developing research based tools for reef managers will help identify reef areas of potentially high resilience and sensitive areas that need extra protection.

Research-user focus

This project will facilitate coral reef conservation and management by Australian government bodies, particularly Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.

Outcomes

  • A novel, innovative framework for reef vulnerability assessments;
  • The development of dynamic vulnerability maps for the GBR; and
  • The project will help deliver resilience-based decision support for the GBR.

Reports, Publications and News

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For more information see Project 9.1 'Dynamic vulnerability maps and decision support tools for the Great Barrier Reef' on the NERP Tropical Ecosystems Hub site.

Images

Datasets

NERP TE Project 9.1 Dynamic vulnerability maps and decision support tools for the Great Barrier Reef (AIMS)
1 July 2015

To support management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, coral reef managers need decision support tools that can integrate physical and biological information at a variety of spatial and temporal scales. In this project we will construct vulnerability maps for the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) This project will deliver a novel framework for linking impacts of environmental change to spatial patterns of coral reef resilience and vulnerability.

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