ReefBase: A global database of coral reefs and their resources

ReefBase is a project designed to assemble, to assimilate and to disseminate a broad range of information for managing the coral reefs of the world. Initiated in late 1993, ReefBase has information on over 6,000 named coral reefs, including ecology, stress, use and management factors for selected reefs. Most known coral reefs at or near the sea surface have been plotted at global and regional scales. Detailed maps and photographs are available for many reefs. The information within the database may accessed through user-friendly queries or geographic, map-based searches. Information can be displayed using a built-in geographic information system and summarized through a query system. ReefBase will incorporate database from the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network and volunteer organizations to facilitate the determination of coral reef health. As an example of the utility in the establishment of comparative norms, we show that the coral cover from a set of 205 reef slopes from around the world exhibits a mean of 37.3% + 3.1 CI95. The initial ReefBase CD-ROM has been released, and the project is seeking reports, maps, and photographs for inclusion in future releases