2006 Project Summaries
Project Summary for 2006-03: Rapid response projects in the Florida Keys
Rapid response projects allow the center to support cutting-edge and fast-breaking research that is relevant to center priorities and leverages resources with other agencies and programs (e.g., other NURP centers, NOAA sanctuaries, and other federal and state agencies). Rapid response requests are reviewed internally for operational feasibility, scientific merit and relevance. By providing operational support for these projects, the center will leverage costs with other programs while addressing marine issues relevant to NOAA's established research objectives. Support for these projects usually involves access to center facilities and field support, such as boats, ROV and dive support, and are restricted to less than $10,000, unless approved by NURP headquarters. Priority objectives for 2005 rapid response research include:
- Descriptive and process-based studies that evaluate the effectiveness of marine protected areas in the Florida Keys.
- Coral reef research and monitoring programs that help managers identify factors affecting the condition of coral reefs in Florida, especially work that helps distinguish between natural and anthropogenic changes.
- Studies that increase our knowledge of factors that affect biodiversity on coral reefs and other nearshore habitats in the Florida Keys.
- Monitoring and research projects that specifically identify factors responsible for causing direct and indirect effects of coral decline. For example, how much coral is killed by coral bleaching, disease, and other factors.
- Coral studies that focus on factors affecting recruitment, including ecology, population genetics, and innovative work that enhances recruitment rates for restoration.
- Studies that measure coral growth and/or bio-erosion rates, especially within the context of factors affecting coral reef condition.
- Innovative projects that use or develop bioindicators (at biochemical or organismal scales) to assess overall reef condition, or detect significant ecological or environmental change (e.g. nutrient enrichment, chemical pollution, global warming). Whole organism studies are sought that focus on (but are not limited to) echinoderms, smaller benthic invertebrates, and other benthic species that respond quickly to environmental change.