'%Healthy Reefs for Healthy People - A Guide to Indicators of Reef Health and Social Well-being in the Mesoamerican Reef Region%'%by Melanie McField and Patricia Kramer%

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TH E H E A L T H Y R E E F S F R A M E W O R K

The Healthy Reefs conceptual framework is grounded

· Ecosystem Function includes key ecological

in the fundamental elements of ecosystem structure

processes (e.g., mortality, recruitment, herbivory).

and function, while integrating human stressors

Functional attributes are the processes required

and social issues (Figure 4.a). The framework links

to sustain biodiversity, and they influence

multiple indicators to improve our understanding of

how structural components interact. There

how humans impact reef ecosystems and, conversely,

are four main attributes of this component:

how the condition of reef ecosystems may be

Reproduction and Recruitment, Coral Condition,

influencing local people and their livelihoods24. Such

Reef Accretion and Bioerosion, and Herbivory.

an integrated conceptual framework is necessary

· Drivers of Change include both anthropogenic

to provide interpretive tools for practitioners and

and natural stressors that directly or indirectly

decision-makers trying to evaluate the impact

cause degradation of reef health and integrity by

of their conservation efforts on the ecosystem.

disrupting the natural structure and functioning

of reefs. Conservation efforts are usually

The framework consists of four main components:

directed at reducing these threats. There are

Ecosystem Structure, Ecosystem Function, Drivers

four main attributes of this component: Tourism

of Change, and Social Well-being and Governance.

and Coastal Development, Land Use and

Each component is defined as a condition or state

Agriculture, Fishing, and Global Climate Change.

that affects reef health and integrity and can be

directly or indirectly measured by specific indicators:

· Social Well-being and Governance attributes

recognize the role that the environment plays in

· Ecosystem Structure refers to the organisms present

sustaining people's livelihoods, health and culture,

(e.g.,diversity,abundance)andthephysicalconditions

as well as the potential positive and negative

of the ecosystem (e.g., salinity, temperature). Reef

effects of human activity on the ecosystem. Human

structure plays an important role in determining

values and stewardship will play a dominant role in

the way a reef ecosystem functions. There are four

the sustainable management of these ecosystems.

main attributes of this component: Biodiversity,

There are four main attributes of this component:

Community Structure, Abiotic, and Habitat Extent.

Human Health, Economy, Culture, and Policy.

Figure 4.a. Healthy Reefs Conceptual Framework

ECOSYSTEM STRUCTURE

ECOSYSTEM

ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION

Biodiversity

Reproduction & Recruitment

Coral Condition

Community Structure

Reef Accretion & Bioerosion

Abiotic

Herbivory

Habitat Extent

HEALTHY MESOAMERICAN REEF

DRIVERS of CHANGE

SOCIAL WELL-BEING & GOVERNANCE

SOCIAL

Tourism & Coastal Development

Human Health

Land Use & Agriculture

Economy

Fishing

Culture

Global Climate Change

Policy