CREM Projects
CREM Lab members are involved in many different projects involving the development of agent-based models and GIS modules to name a few. The following are just some of the projects that CREM is involved in:
Coral Reef Survey: North Sound of Antigua
A coral reef survey conducted in the North Sound region of Antigua between August 1st and 5th, 2005. This survey was supported by the Stanford Development Corporation and was conducted using the benthic and fish surveying methods of the Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) program.
Click here to know more about this project and results.
ReefRanger: 3D Game Software
Coral reefs are vital to the culture and economics of Hawaii, and to the quality of life of the people who reside in the State and who visit it as tourists. The average person reaping these benefits has only a vague concept of the importance of the reefs, and a partial understanding of the complexity of the threats to these ecosystems. CREM developed a game software with the intent that by playing the game, the player will have a better understanding of the ecology of the coral reefs and effects humans have on the coral reef ecosystem.
Click here for more on this project.
PESCA (Partnership for Ecologically Sustainable Coastal Areas)
PESCA subsumes four core components that underpin a scientifically informed integrated coastal development planning. The project analyze the human dimension of reef resource use by examining fishing and tourism as livelihood systems directly dependent on harvested resources and recreational amenities derived from the Punta Cana reef system. We characterize and quantify the latter by describing the state of the water quality and the processes and factors that determine this. We analyze the patterns of distribution of benthos including corals and algae as well as fish in space and time, and the factors that influence these. The knowledge produced from the studies of the human and reef systems are passed on to community stakeholders through two mechanisms. Environmental education provides capacity building both for educators and students, as well as other environment-oriented groups including non-governmental organizations and community associations. Establishing a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based decision support tool for Fundacion Ecologica PUNTACANA will allow a demonstration of integrating social, economic and ecological data into coastal development planning if the latter is to be environmentally sustainable and socially acceptable.
More on this project will be made available soon.