Systematic evidence mapping of the impact of water quality stressors on coral reef health and interactions with climate effects for the US Coral Reef Task Force
We will screen and synthesize information in peer-reviewed literature evaluating the relationship between water quality stressors and coral reef endpoints, including reported interactions among stressors and climate impacts. The full body of available evidence will then be systematically mapped across coral and non-coral species, coral reef ecosystems, types of adverse effects, locations, relationships to climate change, and land and water-based management strategies. The goal is to assess current data availability to inform coral-reef-specific water quality threshold development or other water quality management possibilities and identify and prioritize data gaps in currently available information. The scope of this work does not include field data collection nor assessing the effectiveness of water quality management actions, and results will be relevant to all coral reefs in US jurisdiction. This research effort is a response to a request from the US Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) of EPA to assist with coral-reef-specific water quality understanding, due to EPA's water quality expertise and jurisdiction. It is a continuation of work co-developed by ORD and the Office of Water, as well as EPA Regions 2, 4 and 9, who have coral reefs within their jurisdictions and are members of the USCRTF. The work includes a vetting process through a Technical Advisory Team, comprised of USCRTF members from EPA Regions, USGS, NOAA, and states. The Office of Water, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds has contributed contractor support for this project.