Coral Reef Task Force Priority Study Areas in the Pacific Ocean.įuture CMHRP research will address not only the natural controls on coral reef ecosystems, but also how human activities and climate change impact them at local, regional, and global scales. CMHRP high-resolution maps and studies of natural processes have contributed to our understanding of how human activities and climate change have affected coral reefs within U.S. Similarly, data and findings from CMHRP coral reef hydrogeologic studies have played pivotal roles in legal rulings to better protect U.S.-managed coral reefs on the islands of Maui and Hawaiʻi. Tools and techniques developed by CMHRP coral reef scientists have assisted national monitoring efforts related to coral reefs these data have played critical roles in governmental decisions to better protect and preserve U.S.-managed coral reefs on the islands of Oʻahu, Guam, Kahoʻolawe, and American Samoa and motivated NGO restoration actions on Molokaʻi and Kauaʻi. CMHRP studies of sediment impacts to reefs have provided guidance to foreign governments and international agencies. Project-specific USGS reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, invited lectures, briefings, and outreach programs describe scientific results that are relevant to managers and stakeholders concerned with coral reef health. Information such as this is used by partnering organizations to manage coral reef resources. Three-dimensional perspective view, looking northwest, of the Pala'au region of the south Moloka'i reef (derived from satellite imagery, underwater video, and other data sources) showing major biological cover.