Reef-reshing study bridges community and coral connections
An innovative three-year study has explored the relationship between people and the Great Barrier Reef, developing an app to connect community with the world's largest coral reef system.
The collaborative SEABORNE project, led by CQUniversity, CSIRO, James Cook University and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, with support from the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
CQUniversity researcher and key investigator Dr Jeremy De Valck said that while the natural beauty of the Reef was well-known, SEABORNE filled a significant knowledge gap regarding its social and economic value.
“There was simply no system in place when we started this project. We started from scratch,” Dr De Valck said.
“The Reef management authorities came to us with the request to design that socio-economic information system so that they could at least have a reference point for their management decisions,” he explained.
“In that respect, we believe that SEABORNE did some important pioneering work that can hopefully pave the way towards more advanced systems in the future. There is still much to be done!”
The project team pulled together data from a multitude of sources and identified gaps to create a system that integrates with existing monitoring efforts and produces a suite of open access reports for the CSIRO website.
One of SEABORNE's key contributions was the launch of the SYNTHESEAS app, an innovative public platform that connects human experiences to the benefits derived from the Reef’s ecosystems. The user-friendly tool allows individuals to explore how their interactions with the Reef contributes to its social and economic value.
Dr De Valck said the novel ecosystem accounting database tracks the many ecosystem services provided by the Reef, ensuring that local residents, industries, government and First Nations peoples can recognise their value.
He also highlighted the project’s dedication to integrating the perspectives of First Nations Peoples, recognising their spiritual and cultural connections to the Reef.
“A key feature of SEABORNE has been its commitment to weaving First Nations' cultural values into the fabric of economic understanding. It’s been incredibly important for us to honour those perspectives as part of the larger picture,” he explained.
"This project not only highlighted the Reef's ecological importance but also shone a light on how it supports our communities both socially and economically."
Dr De Valck is an environmental economist with CQUniversity's Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre, engaging with coastal industries and communities to develop practical and sustainable solutions for our unique coast and marine environments.
