In 2017-2020, a programme is proposed under ICRI to strengthen the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN). The process will implement standards developed under the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and GEOBON’s Working Group 5 on Oceans. These focus on selecting key variables, improving standards for measuring and aggregating them, and reporting them (making them available) to relevant end-users in management and policy circles.
At the upcoming International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS), a Town Hall Meeting will be held titled “Coral reef reporting – from science to policy” (joined with a complementary workshop on Conservation Evidence) on 22 June 2016 from 19:30 to 21:30 (Room 301B), at which this will be discussed and ideas sought from ICRS participants on priorities with respect to the most important coral reef variables for global monitoring (Agenda, PDF File).
A two-part questionnaire has been developed on google forms, to collect some preliminary information prior to ICRS. The forms can be accessed from:
- Introductory page to the survey, with further detail on the project as it develops – http://cordioea.net/gcrmn2017-2020
- Part A – data sharing and use; GCRMN as concept/pilot/mature; comments/suggestions – FILL THIS ONCE – http://goo.gl/forms/ULH4nTzw9GHCC6gq1
- Part B – potential Essential Variables (EVs) for coral reefs – FILL THIS FOR AS MANY VARIABLES AS YOU CAN SUGGEST http://goo.gl/forms/Iww1cHutyEjLnbuP2
Findings from the questionnaires and the ICRS Town Hall meeting will carry forward into GEOBON and IUCN Conferences later this year, and thence into the 2017-2020 workplan under a proposed SCOR working group.
