Coral Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (CRAMP) Study Sites: Main Hawaiian Islands

The Hawaii Coral Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (CRAMP) was created during 1997-98 by leading coral reef researchers, managers and educators in Hawaii. The initial task was to develop a statewide network consisting of over 30 long-term coral reef monitoring sites and an associated database. Upon completion of the monitoring network the focus was expanded to include rapid quantitative assessments and habitat mapping on a statewide spatial scale. Today the emphasis is on using these tools to understand the ecology of Hawaiian coral reefs in relation to other geographic areas.

CRAMP study sites, including all areas of concern designated by the State of Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), were selected from throughout the State of Hawaii based on information provided by a wide spectrum of managers, scientists, and educators. These sites represent a full range of reef habitats subjected to various degrees of anthropogenic influences ranging from severely impacted to relatively pristine sites held in conservation status.

CRAMP is based at the Hawaii Institue of Marine Biology (HIMB) of the University of Hawaii at Manoa and is led by Dr. Ku'ulei S. Rodgers (kuuleir@hawaii.edu). For further information, please see: http://cramp.wcc.hawaii.edu