Bridging Global Research and Local Management
The CRTR Program is coordinated across geographic nodes that reflect the regional distribution of coral reefs and the management initiatives underway to conserve them.
The regional nodes are the focal points for research carried out by international scientific working groups and integrated within an overall research framework consisting of three strategic elements:
- Addressing knowledge and technology gaps
- Promoting learning and capacity building
- Linking scientific knowledge to management.
A major focus of the Program is to build capacity in countries with coral reefs to develop and sustain a robust research framework and to apply the findings in practical ways.
Centers of Excellence
Four regional Centers of Excellence are associated with the Coral Reef Targeted Research & Capacity Building for Management (CRTR) Program, reflecting the distribution of coral reefs throughout the world.
The Centers of Excellence aim to build scientific capacity necessary to provide the information needed for management and policy, so that coral reef ecosystems, under threat from climate change and multiple human stressors, can be sustained for current and future generations.
Partnerships have been formed to enable the Centers of Excellence to serve as a convening location for each of the CRTR Program Working Groups. This ensures research can be discussed and implemented with regional and local scientists, managers, NGOs and stakeholders in a collaborative spirit.
Capacity Building
The CRTR Centres of Excellence play an essential role in building scientific capacity to inform management and policy, so that coral reef ecosystems, under threat from climate change and multiple human stressors, can be sustained for current and future generations.
Future Leaders Forum
In December 2007, the Australasian Centre of Excellence at The University of Queensland hosted 55 of the Program’s postgraduate students and postdoctoral researchers from 17 countries at a Future Leaders Forum. The Forum helped develop the network of the future leaders in marine and coral reef ecosystem research and management; assisted in building their capacity to understand global issues impacting on these ecosystems; and developed new knowledge and skills to assist them in their current and future roles. Read about the experience of the Filipino students at the Forum.
Postgraduate course: Light and Photosynthesis on Coral Reefs
This was an intensive postgraduate course (Jan-Feb 2008) on the photobiology of coral reefs and included a strong theoretical background (75 hours) coupled with hands on experience in practical classes (75 hours).