Integrating Paleo, Historical, Archeological, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge Data into Caribbean Coral Reef Management

Abstract

Studies using paleoecological and historical data can inform coral reef management by providing accurate ecological baselines and by pinpointing the timing, magnitude, and drivers of ecosystem declines. However, these studies have rarely been incorporated into policy and management frameworks. This working group brings together paleontologists, historical ecologists, ecologists, fisheries scientists, and conservation practitioners to develop pathways for incorporating long-term ecological data into decision-making to advance the sustainable management of reef ecosystems. Our group is focusing on Caribbean coral reefs, a geography with an abundance of historical ecological data and a track record of collaboration between reef scientists and managers. This spirit of collaboration is enhanced by the immediacy of conservation needs for reef ecosystems in this region. We are focusing on the application of long-term data to two pressing management issues for Caribbean coral reefs, which together address the most urgent local human drivers of ecosystem change – fishing and land-based pollution. In this talk, I will outline our working group’s aims and progress to date.