NCCOS scientists shared knowledge gained from coral reef research and conservation efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands with researchers at a workshop in Hawaii with the aim of improving the quality and consistency of coral reef research worldwide. The workshop's goals included bringing together reef researchers and managers who are facing new challenges due to a changing climate.Expertise shared by NCCOSincluded coral reefresilience, larval connectivity, and land based impacts to reefs.

A relatively healthy reef of hard and soft corals including the ESA threatened species, elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata), in St. Croix, USVI. Photo Credit: NOAA

The workshop, 'Coral Reef Resilience Research and Management: Past, Present, and Future!', demonstrated the benefits of partnership between NOAA offices and with collaborative agencies around the world to provide marine, coastal, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystem managers with state-of-the-art tools for visualization, interpretation and management action.

Sponsored by NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program, this event provided opportunities for researchers to ensure that work across the various programs is aligned, data analysis is rigorous and standardized, and the projectsare contributing to and being informed by larger global efforts. Participants identified future research and product priorities, and planned collaborative projects.

For more information contact Kevin.McMahon.