Research Framework
To achieve the Research Vision, a Research Framework is proposed which both focuses on building the understanding of what makes the Reef resilient and, more importantly, generates innovative solutions, to ensure adaptation and/or solutions to climate change.
The Framework, shown below, spans threats, impacts, solutions and adaptations and integrates a monitoring and reporting system.
.png)
Framework Components
Pressures/Threats
The threat of climate change looms as the most potent – and immediate – of the challenges to the Reef’s future.
In addition to the threats of ocean acidification and increasing ocean temperatures, climate change is changing the weather. This is intensifying storms and land run-off as well as driving rapid increases in sea level, changes to currents and altering circulation (e.g. upwelling zones) which are likely to affect the productivity of coral reefs and their resident species.
Alongside the threats and impacts of climate change on the Reef are a suite of compounding threats and impacts which inhibit the resilience of the Reef to cope with the stresses of climate change. These compounding threats include poor water quality caused by sediment, nutrient and pollutant loads, unsustainable fishing, coastal development and shipping.
However, addressing these compounding threats, whilst critical to enhancing the resilience of the Reef, is not sufficient to address the impacts of climate change. Good water quality alone will not protect the Reef once the waters become too warm or too acidic for corals to cope.
Exposure & Resilience of the ReefIt is critical to establish what biophysical, social and economic features make the Reef “resilient” to the threats of climate change.
These features or attributes, which span both the biophysical and socio-economic, could be considered the ‘vital signs’ of Reef health in the face of climate change – the key gauges of whether the Reef is resilient.
Defining, measuring and monitoring these attributes will allow Reef users, managers and policy makers to make decisions to protect and preserve the Reef.
The attributes of a resilient Great Barrier Reef are the focus of the Foundation however these attributes may be applicable to reefs globally.
Solutions and Adaptations
What actions can be taken to protect and preserve the Great Barrier Reef from the impacts of climate change? Can we devise and develop a suite of interventions that will either sustain or enhance the attributes of a resilient Reef?
Innovation and development of these concepts occurs within the solutions and adaptation field. Solutions seek to directly minimise or reduce climate change impacts on the Reef, while adaptation strategies seek to best manage and respond to those impacts across the biophysical, institutional, social and economic domains.
Policy/Planning
This research framework is driven towards practical outcomes that managers, policy makers and users will be able to draw on as the effects of climate change are felt on the Reef.
Monitoring, evaluation and reporting system
A monitoring, evaluation and reporting system is critical to audit the effectiveness of the over-all framework and will include:
- The condition of the different attributes (and hence, the health/resilience/sustainability of the reefs) and across space and time;
- The effectiveness of solutions and adaptation interventions on sustaining or enhancing the attributes.
- The evaluation of scenarios for management and policy responses.