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other sources of information
The United Nations Environment Programme Coral Reef Unit is part of the Division of Environmental Conventions, in close association with the Division of Early Warning and Assessment. With six coral reef specialists, the unit has what is probably the largest concentration of coral reef expertise in the United Nations system. The Coral Reef Unit works actively with international
partners around the world in a concerted effort to reverse coral
reef degradation and to increase international, national and local
support for coral reef conservation and sustainable use. It is
responsible for UNEP's participation in the International Coral
Reef Action Network (ICRAN) and other international programmes,
and provides the administrative base for the ICRAN Coordinating
Unit. The
UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre has prepared the
World
Atlas of Coral Reefs, a detailed global map of coral
reefs that compiles data on a broad range of coral reef related
topics. It contains 94 maps, including global maps of biodiversity
and reef stresses, regional maps showing 3-D bathymetry and high
resolution maps showing reefs, mangroves, population centres,
dive centres and protected areas. Colour photographs show reefs,
wildlife, people and places. Introductory texts explaining the
formation, structure and ecology of coral reefs; their various
uses and abuses at the hands of humans; and the techniques used
in coral reef mapping. Detailed texts describe the distribution
and status of coral reefs in every country. Data tables list information
on biodiversity, human use, and protected areas. These include
statistics on coral reef area, biodiversity, fish consumption,
and threats. The
International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) is a partnership
among nations and organization seeking to implement the marine-
and coastal-related provisions of Agenda 21, and other international
Conventions and agreements for the benefit of coral reefs and
related ecosystems. The Initiative was established to stop and
reverse the global degradation of coral reefs and related ecosystems.
The ICRI partnership and approach thus far has been to mobilize
governments and a wide range of other stakeholders in an effort
to improve management practices, increase capacity and political
support, and share information on the health of these ecosystems.
The
International Coral Reef Information Network (ICRIN)
is designed to support ICRI's goals of sustainable protection
for coral reefs and related ecosystems, by providing an integrated
system of public information distribution. ICRIN acts as a central
source of information on coral reef outreach and education materials
and techniques, and as a catalyst for more effective public awareness
activities. ICRIN's primary objectives are to communicate effectively
to the public the value and importance of the world's coral reefs
and the threats to the reefs' sustainability, and to motivate
target audiences to take action to protect coral reefs. The
International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN) is a collaborative
effort designed to reverse the decline of the world's coral reefs.
Supported by the United Nations Foundation (UNF), ICRAN consists
of a set of inter-linked, complementary activities that will facilitate
the proliferation of good practices for coral reef management
and conservation. The project consists of a one-year startup phase,
now ongoing, and a four-year action phase from 2001 to 2005. UNESCO
- World Heritage Centre |
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