This is a global
project that focus on understanding the coral reef
ecology, threats to it and ways to improve the situation
worldwide. It also emphasis capacity development to
facilitate research and monitoring by experts in
developing countries.
The first US$14 million,
five-year phase of this
World Bank-GEF-University of
Queensland project commenced in December 2004. UNU-INWEH
executes one of the six research components – that
concerning Connectivity and Large-scale Ecological
Processes. Connectivity among local populations of coastal
marine organisms, chiefly via dispersal of pelagic larval
stages, is of major importance for any form of spatially
explicit management -- such as use of Marine Protected
Areas. In general, the extent of connectivity is very
poorly known for many marine organisms in coral reefs.
The UNU-INWEH program
features demonstration projects, and capacity-building
workshops and advanced training of students to develop
tools, measure connectivity for selected species at
specific sites, and extend local knowledge of the
importance of connectivity in management planning. The
core budget is set at US$1.6 million for the 2004-2009
project.
Research and training is
being undertaken in the western Caribbean, along with
initiatives in the northern Philippines and in Palau. The
preliminary design and feasibility study for this project
component were completed in June 2004.
Fellowships in the Connectivity
Project
The Connectivity Project supports five
students from the Caribbean region through fellowships,
each focusing on specific research subjects.
Workshops and Trainings
The Connectivity Project
features capacity building activities through a series of
annual training workshops for working group staff,
symposia within key international technical conferences
and regional information workshops for senior management
agency and NGO personnel.
Partners in the Connectivity Project
Monitoring Data
2005-2006
Further Information:
Further information on the Connectivity
working group and its activities can be obtained from:
Dr. Peter Sale
Assistant Director (Coastal Zone Ecosystem)
UNU-INWEH
Chair, Connectivity Working Group
