REVISED 10/27/2011

Coral Ecosystem and Marine Resources InitiativeT/E and Sensitive Species

Project # 10-306

Defending Our Nation's Resources Defending Our Nation's Resources _ DoD Conservation ProgramDoD Conservation Program

Background:Up to 75% of the world’s coral reefs are threatened dueto continued pressure from both local and globalstressors. Updated data on the conservation status ofmarine species shows dramatic increases in the numberof threatened coral reef associated species. In order tomake these data easily accessible to DoD) NaturalResources Managers, the Coral Reef InitiativeDatabase has been updated, expanded and reorganized.The database serves as an aid in the identification ofsensitive coral reef species and their critical habitats inaddition to providing the latest information on threatsand assessment techniques. The database benefitsresource mangers by providing identification and dataon species of special conservation status associatedwith coral reefs thereby allowing successfulmanagement and assessment of activities in coral reefenvironments.

Objective:The goal of this Legacy-funded project is to developtools for consistent management and conservation ofDoD protected marine species and associatedbenthic/marine habitat (coral reef ecosystems),including endangered threatened and sensitiveresources and habitat. The final product is an updatedversion of the website based Coral Reef InitiativeDatabase with specific information on Threatened andEndangered Species.

Summary of Approach:An update of the Coral Reef Initiative Databasewebsite/database provides resource managers withinformation on coral reef ecosystems. A new sectionwith information on Threatened and Endangeredspecies associated with coral reef habitats. Lists ofspecies in the vulnerable, endangered, or criticallyendangered categories (Threatened) of the InternationalUnion for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red Listwere compiled and can be searched by region or byorganism. Links are provided to outside sources as wellas pdfs of the scientific literature. Fact sheets oncritically endangered species are being compiled.

Benefit:DoD benefits from increased marine resourceawareness through improved consistency in applyingpolicy and resource protection measures whilereducing resource management costs. The databaseprovides resource information for DoD managers to

Staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) a critically endangeredspecies occurring in the Caribbean.

assist in compliance with numerous Federal Acts andExecutive Orders particularly with regards to the need toinventory biologically or geographically significant orsensitive natural resources. The database providesresource information for use in decision-makingregarding on-shore or near-shore activities in order tomaintain military readiness with minimal adverse impactsto the marine environment. It serves as an in-houseresource for locating underwater resources andidentifying potential impacts related to mission needs,operations or development projects. The ultimate goal isfor long-term conservation of marine resources underDoD management.

Accomplishments:The newly reorganized and expanded Coral ReefInitiative Database provides an easily accessible, up todate and fully documented database that DoD NaturalResource Managers can utilize to use to identify speciesof special conservation status and evaluate compliancewith T/E regulations.

Contact Information:Phillip Lobel, Ph.D.Professor of BiologyBiology DepartmentBoston University5 Cummington St.Boston, MA 02215617-358-4586plobel@bu.edu