ManagementPlan

Developing an Effective Management Plan

What makes for an effective Management Plan?

Value of the ecosystem, resource needs and sources must be understood, and there must be a balance between resource extraction and ecological integrity Coral reefs provide essential functions and services Protect shorelines, filter water, cycle nutrients Provide habitat for commercially valuable fish species Provide recreational and aesthetic enjoyment to people Coral reef species are commercially harvested for several reasons Sources of pharmaceuticals and natural-product chemicals. Provide recreation and tourism, scientific research, education Threats to ecosystems function and services must be identified in order to efficiently direct managment Harvesting Activities - decline of populations and loss of higher level carnivores within the ecosystem from over harvest, physical damage from fishing gear Recreational Use - anchor and diver damage to corals, disturbance of reef organisms, pollution of the reef environment Water Pollution - various impacts ranging from loss of light to nutrient changes and disease introductions Coastal Development - increased sedimentation, altered upland runoff and nutrient input to the reef system, loss of juvenile nursery habitat Successful ecosystem management must account for stability and resilience in order to ensure sustainability of the ecosystem in the long run The ecosystem must be viewed in a holistic manner and with a contextual point of view Non-equilibrium perspective of ecosystems, dynamic and consist of constantly shifting mosaics Uncertainty cannot always be accounted for so flexibility in management in necessary Management plans must be constantly revised in order to adapt to dynamic conditions

Resources

• Tilmant, James. Coral Reef Protected Areas: A Guide for Management. Prepared by the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Working Group on Ecosystem Science and Conservation. March, 2000.