The cumulative threats of overexploitation, land-use changes, pollution, and coastal development, coupled with the effects of global climate change, foretell an uncertain future for Southeast Asia’s coral reefs. Despite widespread recognition that coral reefs are severely threatened, information regarding particular threats to specific reef areas is limited. Only a small percentage of reefs have ever been studied, and an even smaller number have been monitored over time using consistent methods. In addition, these data are rarely consolidated in a central repository where copies would be widely accessible.

This lack of information inhibits effective decisionmaking concerning coastal resources. The Reefs at Risk in Southeast Asia (RRSEA) project was designed to address this information deficiency through an extensive data compilation and improvement effort. Understanding which human activities negatively impact which reefs is key to future conservation and planning efforts. The goal of the RRSEA project is to raise awareness about threats to coral reefs and provide resource managers with specific information and tools to manage coastal habitats in Southeast Asia more effectively.

• The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
• The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)
• The United Nations Foundation (UNF)/ International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN)
• The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)