JAMSTEC International Coral Reef Symposium
Coral Reef Biodiversity and Health as Indicators of Environmental Change
Global climate changes and environmental fluctuations of the ocean affect the health of corals and coral reefs. Therefore, the health of corals and coral reefs is an important biological indicators for environmental changes in a global scale over a long-time span. The trend of global warming resulting from the increased level of atmospheric carbon dioxide has been implicated in the health change of coral reefs. Furthermore, coral reefs are important areas of fishery and sources of biodiversity. To make use of the coral reefs as bioindicators of environmental change, monitoring of their health is essential. The coastal ecosystem includes not only the corals but also the mangroves, sea grass (algae), and other related life forms, which also require continued studies.
Although Japan Marine science and Technology Center (JAMSTEC) has been engaged in coral reef studies for only seven years, the health of coral reefs was always in the background research in conjunction with an ongoing project of developing safe diving procedure since its founding in 1971. As our research on coral reefs is limited by the number of the personnel involved, we have so far promoted and supported only the practical research from the standing point of safe diving. We plan this symposium to gain the knowledge of basic and ongoing research activities in the world. It is hoped that the result of this symposium will shed light on the present status and the future prospect of coral ecosystem.
Conference Chairperson
Motohiko Mohri M.D
Director, Marine Ecosystems Research Department
JAMSTEC
2-14 Natsushima Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan
Tel: 81-468-67-5575, Fax: 81-468-66-5746
E-mail: mohrim@jamstec.go.jp
Conference Organizer
Mineo Okamoto Ph. D
Senior Scientist, Marine Ecosystems Research Department
JAMSTEC
Tel: 81-468-67-5536, Fax: 81-468-66-5747
E-mail: okamotom@jamstec.go.jp
