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Guam Guam, a U.S. unincorporated territory located at 13o 28’ N, 144o 45’ E, is the southernmost island in the Mariana Archipelago. It’s location in the western Pacific is approximately 3,700 miles west-southwest of Honolulu; 1,500 miles east of Manila; and 1,500 miles south-southeast of Tokyo. It is the largest island in Micronesia, with a land mass of 560 km2 and a maximum elevation of approximately 405 meters. It is also the most heavily populated island in Micronesia with a population of about 164,000 people (est. July 2003). The northern portion of the island is relatively flat and consists primarily of uplifted limestone. The southern half of the island is primarily volcanic, with more topographic relief and large areas of highly erodible soils. This topography creates a number of watersheds throughout the southern areas which are drained by 96 rivers. The condition of Guam’s coral reefs (including fringing reefs, patch reefs, submerged reefs, offshore banks, and barrier reefs) varies considerably, depending on a variety of factors including geology, human population density, degree of coastal development, levels and types of marine resource uses, oceanic circulation patterns, and frequency of natural disturbances (e.g., storms and earthquakes). Many of Guam’s reefs have declined in health over the past 40 years. However, in the past, Guam’s coral reefs have recovered after drastic declines. For example, an outbreak of the crown - of - thorns starfish in the early 1970s reduced coral cover in some areas from 50 to 60% to less than 1%. Twelve years later, greater than 60% live coral cover was recorded for these areas. A more distressing indicator of the condition of Guam’s coral reefs is the marked decrease in rates of coral recruitment. Reefs unaffected by sediment, nutrient loading, and freshwater runoff in the northern part of the island and between river outflows, have relatively healthy coral communities. The reefs have not suffered the large scale bleaching events and coral diseases seen in other parts of the world. Unfortunately, some reefs have been damaged by land-based sources of pollution and heavy fishing pressure. Satellite image of Guam State of The Reefs report (SOTR) The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States: 2008. The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States: 2005. The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States: 2002. Metadata, Data and Publications search in CoRIS Search the CoRIS Library for Guam metadata, data and publications ReefBase Coral Bleaching Reports Select " Micronesia" in the Region window and " Guam" in the Country window Status of Pacific Island Coral Reef fisheries Coral Reef Bibliography of Guam , 1993-2004 Pacific Islands Benthic Habitat Mapping Center Real Time and Near-Real Time Monitoring Data Coralwatch Coral Bleaching Indices Coral Reef Watch Satellite Coral Bleaching Monitoring CREI Moored Instruments with Telemetry Executive orders, Secretarial Orders, and Congressional Acts Micronesia Coral Reef Initiative NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Research Plan Successes and Challenges for Guam�s Coral Reef Conservation Program Guam�s 5-Year Coral Reef Initiative Program University of Guam Marine laboratory Guam Database of Deep Water Sport and Edible Fishes Marine Protected Areas/ Marine Managed Areas National Marine Fisheries Service Inventory of Marine Managed Areas Report on the Status of Marine Protected Areas in Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States. Volume 1: Marine Protected Areas Managed by U.S. States, Territories, and Commonwealths. NOAA Technical Memorandum CRCP 2 February 2007 Marine Protected Areas of the United States Home Page The Marine Protected Areas Inventory Marine Federal Areas Fact Sheet Executive order 13158: Marine Protected Areas Guam’s Marine Preserves: Powerpoint presentation Guam information including list of MPAs Guam Territorial Seashore Park Guam - UN SYSTEM-WIDE EARTHWATCH Web Site Haputo Ecological Reserve Area Marine Managed Areas of the United States: Territory of Guam Digital Boundaries Orote Peninsula Ecological Reserve Area Orote Peninsula Ecological Reserve Area Pacific Islands Marine Protected Areas Community: Powerpoint presentation Photograph of a marine protected area Report on the Status of MPAs in Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States. Volume 1: Marine Protected Areas Managed by U.S. States, Territories and Commonwealths Research in Guam’s Marine Protected Areas: Piti Bomb Holes Reserve Toward a Pacific Islands Marine Protected Area Community Traditional Knowledge, Community Management, and Marine Protected Areas in the Pacific U.S. Marine Protected Areas Coral Reef Habitat Assessment
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