The National Coral Reef Institute

Message from the Directors With levels of biodiversity rivaling those of tropical rainforests, the complex frameworks and structures created by reef-building corals and their calcified skeletons are unique and irreplaceable natural resources. Globally, regionally, and locally, coral reefs provide enormous direct and indirect economic benefits. In the United States, the direct and indirect economic value of coral reefs is valued in billions of dollars annually. Coral reefs serve as important fishery resources and physical barriers to coastal erosion, offer recreational and tourist areas, and are repositories to myriad species of great value to humankind. Yet, coral reefs are rapidly being degraded by pollution, overfishing, climate change, coastal development, ship-related injuries, recreational overuse, and the introduction of exotic species. About 25 percent of the world’s coral reefs have already been destroyed, and additional losses are predicted in the coming decades. The National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI) is devoted to management- relevant coral reef research. Its administration, facilities, and support are within the academic research university setting as part of the Oceanographic Center at Nova Southeastern University (NSU). NCRI builds comprehensive baseline information for scientific and management use by conducting targeted research into aspects of coral reef assessment, monitoring, and restoration. The results of this work are already improving the nation’s ability to determine the status of its coral reefs and emerging trends that might affect their future as a viable resource. NCRI will continue to strategically target areas of coral reef research that have particular relevance during these times of global climate change, heightened stressors, and issues related to an increasing human ecological footprint. A hallmark of NCRI has also been the efficient dissemination of important scientific information, research, and computational tools to members of the worldwide scientific community, resource managers, and conservationists concerned with coral reefs. This evaluation, synthesis, and sharing of such science are being achieved through major international scientific conferences, presentations, publications, technical reports, and Internet presence, all of which allows access to NCRI’s research and software. Richard E. Dodge , Ph.D., Executive Director, NCRI Bernhard M. Riegl , Ph.D., Associate Director, NCRI Message from the Directors 3