Hawai Coral Reef Initiative Research Program |
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NEW: FY2007 Kahekili Ecosystem Recovery Area Project HCRI has begun to shift its focus to a larger ecosystem approach. One area of focus is Kahekili on Maui. State resource managers’ plan to establish the Kahekili area as a trial herbivore recovery area. The general research design will be a before-after-control-impact (BACI) study, in which benthos (algae, coral), herbivores (fish, urchins), and potentially related factors (nutrients, sedimentation) are measured before and after the planned closure, at sites both within and outside of the planned herbivore enhancement area at Kahekili. NEW: FY2007 Maunalua Bay Integrated Ecosystem Management The other focus area in 2006 is Maunalua Bay on Oahu’s East shore. A range of stakeholders including local businesses, fishers, home owners, outrigger canoe paddlers, and boaters have joined together to address coral reef health declines, and have requested support from the research community in understanding the present state of the bay, identifying main sources of ecosystem stress, and determining options for mitigation and recovery. As a result, this developing consortium has the potential for generating much needed political will to formally address key problems, and has already been successful in engaging both local and federal resource agencies. HCRI will collect critical data on the quantity and quality of watershed discharges, impacts of sedimentation, synergistic effects of over-fishing, and the impacts of alien species. These data will be used by the group to identify mitigation options, and as a blueprint for cooperation and coordination among relevant parties. FY2006 final PPT presentations now on YouTube! Projects sponsored in FY2006 presented their final results at an all day HCRI meeting on January 10, 2008 at the Bishop Museum. The presentations were video taped and can be viewed online. “Reef Pulse” - Curriculum Review Meeting Photos NOAA has sponsored many innovative coastal and ocean ecosystem science education programs and resources (e.g., coral reef discovery kits, ocean explorer, Science with NOAA). There is, however, a need for a comprehensive NOAA-related resource at an early elementary level. HCRI is currently developing a hands-on/minds-on K-2 marine science curriculum for Hawaii, called Reef Pulse. Draft lessons have been reviewed by local teachers and informal educators and photos from the meetings can be viewed here. HCRI Travel Grants awarded 8 graduate students / post-docs have been awarded $1500 travel grants to present their HCRI sponsored research at national or international conferences in 2008. |
International Year of the Reef Kick off (January 25, 2008) NOAA Keiki Activity book available for download Help Conserve Hawaii’s Reef (brochure) |
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