NSF Org:	OCE Division Of Ocean Sciences
Recipient:	UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
Initial Amendment Date:	April 23, 1991
Latest Amendment Date:	August 4, 1993
Award Number:	9018392
Award Instrument:	Continuing Grant
Program Manager:	Phillip R. Taylor OCE  Division Of Ocean Sciences GEO  Directorate for Geosciences
Start Date:	April 15, 1991
End Date:	March 31, 1995 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$543,704.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$548,704.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 1991 = $538,704.00 FY 1992 = $5,000.00 FY 1993 = $5,000.00
History of Investigator:	Peter Glynn (Principal Investigator) pglynn@rsmas.miami.edu
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	University of Miami 1251 MEMORIAL DR CORAL GABLES FL  US  33146-2509 (305)421-4089
Sponsor Congressional District:	27
Primary Place of Performance:	University of Miami 1251 MEMORIAL DR CORAL GABLES FL  US  33146-2509
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	27
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	KXN7HGCF6K91
Parent UEI:	VNZZYCJ55TC4
NSF Program(s):	BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY, LATIN AMERICA, SDC, INTERNAT. BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Primary Program Source:	app-0193
Program Reference Code(s):	1650, 9251
Program Element Code(s):	165000, 592600, 757500
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.050

ABSTRACT

This long-term study focuses on the ecological disturbances to eastern Pacific coral reefs that accompanied the severe and historically unprecedented 1982-83 ENSO (El Nino-Southern Oscillation) event. During the first 3-year segment (1985-87) of the study a strong causative link was established between prolonged sea warming and numerous kinds of primary disturbances. During the first and second 3-year (1988-90) study periods the team of workers involved in this study have (a) demonstrated the importance of several secondary (long-term) disturbance processes, (b) revealed the extent of recovery and continuing reef destruction to date, and (c) provided some indication of the frequency of severe El Nino disturbances to coral reefs in an historical context. Because some important secondary disturbances are still occurring, and reef recovery has been slow (Costa Rica, Panama) or non-existent (Galapagos Islands), it is necessary to continue with this study in order to understand the variety of changes involved and the full impact of a major disturbance on coral reef survival and the potential for continued reef building. ENSO warming disturbances can provide some clues to the probable changes in coral reefs worldwide if global warming causes repeated and/or protracted sea temperature increases comparable to the 1982-83 El Nino event.

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