In order to understand and assess reef health in the Mesoamerican Reef Region, we are developing a quantifiable, interpretive framework of measurable indicators and criteria.

Recognizing the strong linkages between reef health and human health, the framework incorporates how humans impact the reef ecosystem and conversely, how the condition of the reef ecosystem may be influencing local people and their livelihoods.

The Healthy Reefs for Healthy People framework is based on four fundamental elements in 16 themes (Figure 1). Click on the key indicators in Figure 1 for more details.

• Download Indicator Framework (PDF) - 2069KB
• Criteria for selecting ecological indicators
• Criteria for selecting social wellbeing indicators