* HTML version of this newsletter is available at
http://www.reefbase.org/newsletter.aspx?newsdategroup=200901
* PDF version of this newsletter is available at
http://www.reefbase.org/newsletter/Newsletter_January2009.pdf

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ReefBase Newsletter - January 2009
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The ReefBase Newsletter provides registered users with updates on new
additions to the ReefBase database and website. You have received this
newsletter as you are a registered user of ReefBase and indicated that
you wanted to receive our electronic newsletters. To view / edit your
ReefBase account or unsubscribe to this newsletter, please visit:
http://www.reefbase.org/account
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In this issue
-------------

Announcements

1. World Ocean Conference
2. ReefBase Pacific

ReefBase Publication Database

1. SOCMON Global Report
2. GCRMN, Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2008
3. The State of Coral Reef Ecosystem of US and Pacific Freely
Associated States: 2008
4. Herbivore species richness and feeding complementarity affect
community structure and function on a coral reef
5. Ocean acidification causes bleaching and productivity loss in
coral reef builders

Online GIS

1. Annual / December 2008 NOAA Coral Reef Watch's Satellite
Monitoring Products



Announcements
-------------

1. World Ocean Conference

The World Ocean Conference (WOC) 2009 is forum for the world
community to discuss current issues in the marine field which are
related to climate change, in order to achieve an international
agreement and draw up an adaptive strategy to use of marine resources
wisely for the benefit of humanity. Alongside the main WOC2009 event,
there will be opportunities for scientists and experts, NGO members, and
journalists to discuss the results of research and the latest
developments in science and technology, and establish measures for
resolving climate change related problems in the marine and coastal
environment, through holding of a number of side events organized within
the framework of the WOC2009.

This international conference is set to take place in Manado, North
Sulawesi of Indonesia from 11-15 May 2009. For more details, please log
on to the official website: http://www.woc2009.org


2. ReefBase Pacific

The ReefBase Pacific project is the first regional focus of the
global ReefBase project. The Pacific project aims to utilize and
strengthen a regional-wide network of stakeholders to generate and
mobilize a relevant, user-friendly knowledge-base on coral reef systems.
The project has successfully created a variety of information products,
in a form of a DVD database, website and printed materials that provide
improved access to information for Pacific and global users. The
ReefBase team is excited to announce the launch of the latest
information product; the ReefBase Pacific Information Portal;
Livelihoods, Fisheries and Biodiversity DVD version 2.0. This DVD is a
remote copy of an information system which is also available at
http://pacific.reefbase.org. The collection of data and system features
have developed greatly since the release of DVD version 1.0 and we are
pleased to highlight to you these new features:

Pacific ReefGIS is a simple mapping system that allows users to
display and explore information relating to reef locations, monitoring
activities, threats to reefs, images of reefs etc on interactive maps.

Pacific Reefs is a database that presents information extracted from
published status reports; information is provided by country and
presented in 4 categories: Resource, Status, Threats and Management.
Users can extract relevant information pertaining to these 4 categories
with an easy search function tool.

Reef Manager Toolbox provides quick and easy access to manuals and
guidebooks that have been designed to assist in the effective monitoring
and management of reef resources.

Education Center is a virtual resource center of materials that
support reef related education and outreach activities that mobilize
information in a non-technical form to communities, school groups and
the general public.

In addition, the entire ReefBase team is pleased to be a part of the
production and release of the report 'Status of the Coral Reefs of the
World' with the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network. With the support
of the Coral Reef InistiativeS of the Pacific, reports from the region
have been made freely available on our new DVD and the website
http://pacific.reefbase.org. Reports on the status of the reefs across
the globe are freely available from http://www.reefbase.org.

If you wish to receive a copy of the DVD or further information about
the ReefBase Pacific project, please drop us an email at reefbase@....



ReefBase Publication Database
-----------------------------

1. SOCMON Global Report

* The world's tropical coasts are home to over two billion people,
many of whom live in poverty and depend on coastal resources such as
coral reef fish for their livelihood, sustenance, and cultural
traditions. This report synthesizes data from individual socioeconomic
assessments to quantify and qualify regional and global dependence on
coral reef resources, perceptions of resource conditions, threats to
marine and coastal resources, and support for marine management
strategies such as marine protected areas. Data are included from 49
studies, representing close to 14,000 household surveys conducted in
hundreds of communities in 27 countries.

Loper, C., R. Pomeroy, V. Hoon, P. McConney, M. Pena, A. Sanders, G.
Sriskanthan, S. Vergara, M. Pido, R. Vave, C. Vieux and I. Wanyonyi,
2008. Socioeconomic conditions along the world's tropical coasts: 2008.
SocMon Global Report, 2008. 56pp.
http://www.reefbase.org/resource_center/publication/main.aspx?refid=27174


2. GCRMN, Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2008

* This Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2008 report is the 5th
global report since the GCRMN (Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network),
was formed in 1996 as an operational network of the International Coral
Reef Initiative (ICRI). The catalyst for GCRMN was the inability of
international agencies to report objectively on the health or otherwise
of the world's coral reefs. The US government then provided initial
funding to set up a global network of coral reef workers to facilitate
reporting on reef status; and has continued to be the major supporter of
GCRMN and ICRI since the first strategies and action plans were
developed in 1995.

Wilkinson, C. (ed.), 2008. Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2008.
Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, 304pp.
http://www.reefbase.org/resource_center/publication/main.aspx?refid=27173


3. The State of Coral Reef Ecosystem of US and Pacific Freely
Associated States: 2008

* Called for by the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force's (USCRTF) National
Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs, this is the first biennial report
on the condition of coral reefs. It is the scientific baseline for
subsequent reports on the health of U.S. coral reef ecosystems that are
to be used by NOAA and others to evaluate the efficacy of coral reef
conservation and management practices. The National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration's National Ocean Service led the development
of this report. It was authored by 38 experts and supported by 79
contributors from government agencies and non-governmental organizations
across the nation and internationally. Over 100 Task Force members and
other notable scientists have reviewed this document.

Waddell, J.E. and A.M. Clarke (eds). NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS
NCCOS 73. NOAA/NCCOS Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment's
Biogeography team, 2008. The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the
United States and Pacific Freely Associated States: 2008. Silver Spring.
569pp.

http://www.reefbase.org/resource_center/publication/main.aspx?refid=A0000004544


4. Herbivore species richness and feeding complementarity affect
community structure and function on a coral reef

* Consumer effects on prey are well known for cascading through
food webs and producing dramatic top-down effects on community structure
and ecosystem function. Bottom-up effects of prey (primary producer)
biodiversity are also well known. However, the role of consumer
diversity in affecting community structure or ecosystem function is not
well understood. Here, we show that herbivore species richness can be
critical for maintaining the structure and function of coral reefs. In
two experiments over 2 years, we constructed large cages enclosing
single herbivore species, equal densities of mixed species of
herbivores, or excluding herbivores and assessed effects on both
seaweeds and corals.

Burkepile, D.E. and M.E. Hay, 2008. Herbivore species richness and
feeding complementarity affect community structure and function on a
coral reef. PNAS, October 21, 2008, Vol. 105, No. 42:16201â??16206pp.
http://www.reefbase.org/resource_center/publication/main.aspx?refid=27194


5. Ocean acidification causes bleaching and productivity loss in
coral reef builders

* Ocean acidification represents a key threat to coral reefs by
reducing the calcification rate of framework builders. In addition,
acidification is likely to affect the relationship between corals and
their symbiotic dinoflagellates and the productivity of this
association. However, little is known about how acidification impacts on
the physiology of reef builders and how acidification interacts with
warming. Here, we report on an 8-week study that compared bleaching,
productivity, and calcification responses of crustose coralline algae
(CCA) and branching (Acropora) and massive (Porites) coral species in
response to acidification and warming. Using a 30-tank experimental
system, we manipulated CO2 levels to simulate doubling and three- to
fourfold increases [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
projection categories IV and VI] relative to present-day levels under
cool and warm scenarios. Results indicated that high CO2 is a bleaching
agent for corals and CCA under high irradiance, acting synergistically
with warming to lower thermal bleaching thresholds. We propose that CO2
induces bleaching via its impact on photoprotective mechanisms of the
photosystems.

Anthony, K.R.N., D.I. Kline, G. Diaz-Pulido, S. Dove and O.
Hoegh-Guldberg, 2008. Ocean acidification causes bleaching and
productivity loss in coral reef builders. PNAS, November 11, 2008. Vol.
105. No. 45: 17442â??17446pp.
http://www.reefbase.org/resource_center/publication/main.aspx?refid=27195



Online GIS
----------

1. Annual / December 2008 NOAA Coral Reef Watch's Satellite
Monitoring Products

This map shows the global observations of coral bleaching occurrences
combined with NOAA Coral Reef Watch's satellite monitoring products
including Sea Surface Temperature, Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly,
Bleaching HotSpot and Degree Heating Weeks. These datasets are added
into ReefBase Online GIS each month.
To view the latest Annual / December 2008 maps, click here.
http://reefgis.reefbase.org/redirect.aspx?urlid=24457

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