Project title: CLEAN REEFS: a dynamic pollution mapping and risk assessment tool for global coral reefs

Project lead: Amelia Wenger

Co-applicants: Dr. Simon Albert, Kim Fisher, Dr. Alec Hughes, Dr. Stacy Jupiter, Paul van Nimwegen, Haley Williams, Sam Teicher

Countries involved: Australia, Bahamas, Fiji, Solomon Islands

Takes place: Fiji and Solomon Islands

Supporting institutions: University of Queensland, Coral Vita, Wildlife Conservation Society

Total budget: USD $1,122,546

Duration: 36 months

Project overview

With nearly one billion people living within 100 km of coral reefs, pollution from land-based sources, such as sediments, excessive amount of nutrients, and wastewater, poses a significant threat to reef health globally, affecting over 30% of coral reefs. Effective pollution management has therefore become essential for coral reef conservation. Yet, the tools available for reef practitioners are still largely inaccessible or unsuitable for decision-making.

The CLEAN REEFS project seeks to close this gap by developing a global, open-source pollution mapping and risk assessment tool, which will enable coral reef managers, scientists, and citizen scientists to identify and address pollution risks across coral ecosystems. Through an intuitive, web-based application, CLEAN REEFS will provide near-real-time data on pollution sources, exposure, and dispersal patterns. This tool will enhance local conservation planning by aiding the identification of high-risk areas, pollution sources, and possible mitigation strategies, ultimately improving coral restoration outcomes.

CLEAN REEFS will work on two scales: (1) supporting on-the-ground conservation in Fiji and the Solomon Islands, and (2) creating a globally adaptable tool that benefits coral reef communities worldwide.

Specific objectives

1. Develop dynamic pollution models: create global maps showing pollution dispersal and exposure of coral reefs.
2. Create a user-friendly web application: design a browser-based application to generate and display pollution maps, offering actionable data.
3. Support conservation efforts in Fiji and the Solomon Islands: collaborate with local partners to apply tool outputs for targeted pollution management, site selection for coral restoration, and strategic planning.

How the objectives will be met

• Dynamic pollution models development: refine existing pollution dispersal models to assess pollution transport driven by oceanic currents, wind, and waves, focusing on sediment and nutrient dispersion.
  • Field campaigns: collect pollution data from multiple sites in Fiji and the Solomon Islands to validate and calibrate model predictions.
  • Workshops with end-users: host 3 in-person workshops to define user requirements, gather feedback on tool functionality, and provide training on tool usage.
  • Coral reef pollution mapping: generating global maps of coral reef pollution exposure, showing the frequency and magnitude of pollution events. The tool will also allow users to simulate pollution management scenarios and coastal development.
• Web application development: design an interactive web app allowing users to map coral reef pollution, analyze data by selecting areas of interest, and view pollution sources, exposure maps, and scenario-based results.
• Outreach and global engagement: disseminate the CLEAN REEFS tools through webinars and local and international in-person events to coral reef practitioners, decision-makers and the scientific community.

Impact of the project

CLEAN REEFS will empower coral reef stakeholders in 100+ countries to make data-driven decisions for coral protection and pollution management. By providing a tool that visualizes current pollution impacts and tests management scenarios, CLEAN REEFS will enhance coral restoration planning and support sustainable management practices.

In Fiji and the Solomon Islands, WCS Melanesia will leverage CLEAN REEFS in collaboration with government agencies to guide national and sub-national reef conservation strategies under the Coral Reef Rescue Initiative. Coral Vita will also use the tool to identify low-pollution zones for its coral nurseries, ensuring optimal conditions for coral propagation.

Major highlights

• Development of a global, dynamic pollution model for coral reefs.
• Integration of tool outputs into national reef conservation plans in Fiji and the Solomon Islands.
• Creation of an accessible web-based tool, enabling worldwide access to critical pollution data for coral reefs.

In 2024:

✅ Initiated development of the web application tool.

To learn more about this project, watch the episode 11 of our web series.