Assessing the Resilience of Leeward Maui Reefs to Help Design a Resilient Managed Area Network
This NOAA report analyzes the resilience of coral reefs along leeward Maui, Hawai‘i. It evaluates ecological indicators such as coral cover, diversity, recruitment, and fish biomass, alongside human stressors. The findings inform strategies for designing a resilient network of marine managed areas to improve reef sustainability.
Subject Tags
- Climate resilience
- Reefs
- Climate adaptation
Introduction
This report evaluates the resilience of coral reef ecosystems along the leeward coast of Maui, Hawai‘i, to inform the design of a resilient marine managed area network. The study assesses ecological indicators including coral cover, coral diversity, recruitment, reef-builder ratios, coral disease, rugosity, and herbivorous fish biomass across multiple reef sites and depths. It identifies spatial variation in reef resilience and analyzes key drivers influencing resilience patterns. The report also incorporates anthropogenic stressors such as nutrient pollution, sedimentation, coastal development, and fishing pressure. By combining ecological and stress data, the study proposes targeted management actions including conservation prioritization, water quality improvement, sediment reduction, and fisheries monitoring. The findings support resilience-based management approaches aimed at enhancing coral reef recovery, sustaining ecosystem services, and guiding long-term conservation planning in Maui.
Suggested Citation
Maynard, J., Conklin, E., Minton, D., Williams, G.J., Tracey, D., Amimoto, R., Lynch, H., Carr, R., Rose, J., Sparks, R., Fielding, E., Sylva, R., White, D. 2019. Assessing the Resilience of Leeward Maui Reefs to Help Design a Resilient Managed Area Network. The Nature Conservancy. Honolulu, HI. 39 pp.
TNC Authors
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Eric Conklin
Marine Science Director, Hawai‘i and Palmyra
The Nature Conservancy
Email: econklin@tnc.org -
Harry Lynch
Marine Field Operations Manager
The Nature Conservancy
Email: hlynch@tnc.org -
Ryan Carr
Marine Monitoring Manager, Hawai‘i
The Nature Conservancy
Email: rcarr@tnc.org -
Julia Rose
Coral Restoration Program Manager
The Nature Conservancy
Email: julia.rose@tnc.org
TNC Authors
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Emily Fielding
Marine Program Director, Hawai‘i
The Nature Conservancy
Email: efielding@tnc.org