Research challenges to improve the management and conservation of subtropical reefs to tackle climate change threats

This paper reports on a workshop conducted in Australia in 2010, entitled 'Management, Conservation, and Scientific Challenges on Subtropical Reefs under Climate Change'. The workshop brought together 26 experts actively involved in the science and management of subtropical reefs. Its primary aim was to identify the areas of research that need to be most urgently addressed to improve the decision-making framework for managers of subtropical reefs. The main findings of the workshop were a sustainable subtropical reefs declaration that highlights seven research priorities for subtropical reefs. These are to (i) conduct research and management activities across local government, state and bioregion borders; (ii) understand natural variability of environmental conditions; (iii) quantify socio-economic factors and ecosystem services; (iv) benchmark cross-realm connectivity; (v) know marine population connectivity; (vi) habitat mapping and ecological research; and (v) determine refugia. These findings are hoped to form a basis for focussing research efforts, leveraging funds and assisting managers with allocation of resources.

[1]  M. Araújo Climate change and Spatial Conservation Planning , 2012 .

[2]  P. Davies,et al.  Variation in sea temperature and the East Australian Current in the Solitary Islands region between 2001-2008 , 2011 .

[3]  R. Steneck,et al.  Rising to the challenge of sustaining coral reef resilience. , 2010, Trends in ecology & evolution.

[4]  Hugh P. Possingham,et al.  Conservation planning for connectivity across marine, freshwater, and terrestrial realms , 2010 .

[5]  D. Booth,et al.  Increasing ocean temperatures allow tropical fishes to survive overwinter in temperate waters , 2010 .

[6]  Alison Green,et al.  Designing marine protected area networks to address the impacts of climate change , 2009 .

[7]  R. Cowling,et al.  From theory to practice: Designing and situating spatial prioritization approaches to better implement conservation action , 2009 .

[8]  M. Rule,et al.  Monitoring the sea change: preliminary assessment of the conservation value of nearshore reefs, and existing impacts, in a high-growth, coastal region of subtropical eastern Australia. , 2008, Marine pollution bulletin.

[9]  Louis Celliers,et al.  Long-term community changes on a high-latitude coral reef in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, South Africa. , 2008, Marine pollution bulletin.

[10]  S. Andelman,et al.  Conserving Biodiversity Efficiently: What to Do, Where, and When , 2007, PLoS biology.

[11]  D. Richardson,et al.  Ecological and conservation significance of the subtidal rocky reef communities of northern New South Wales, Australia , 1999 .