Coral Reef Refuges
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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System’s Coral Reef Refuges It has been 100 years since diverse ecosystems on earth, President Theodore Roosevelt set provide habitat to one-third of aside the islands and reefs around all fish species in the ocean. Key West and the northwestern Because of this incredible Hawaiian Islands to create two of diversity, coral reefs are often the first wildlife refuges. The 96 called “Rainforests of the Sea”. million acre National Wildlife However, this actually Refuge System (NWRS), a program underrates the diversity of within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife coral reef ecosystems. Service (FWS), now includes 13 Although tropical rainforests coral reef refuges encompassing may contain a higher number nearly 3 million acres, that conserve of species, coral reefs include Tiny 4.5 ha Rose Island at Rose Atoll NWR. and protect the biological integrity, many more animal phyla, the contains one of only two Pisonia grandis forests diversity, and environmental health taxonomic category below within the NWRS. of coral reefs and their companion kingdom and above class. Coral lands. Included in the System are reef species represent 33 of the 38 photographers capture spectacular some of the most remote and phyla in the Animal Kingdom. In scenes showing millions of pristine islands and atolls in the comparison, only eight animal phyla Americans that healthy coral reef world. Since 2006, the FWS has are found in rainforests. ecosystems are being conserved for also been responsible for the co- future generations. management of the 89 million acre Coral reefs are valued for more than Papahānaumokuākea Marine just scientific curiosity. They also Natural Laboratories National Monument. build tropical islands, protect coasts But more than underwater from waves and storms, store untold treasures, the coral reef refuges act Coral reefs, among the most potential for developing as natural laboratories. Stress from valuable, biologically complex, and pharmaceuticals, and support U.S. human activities and climate tourism and fishing industries with change are threatening coral reef billions of dollars. Each year, ecosystems around the world. millions of Americans visit coral Within the past decade, reefs to snorkel or dive among vast approximately 27% of the world’s schools of fish, swim alongside reefs have been destroyed or have majestic sea turtles or simply suffered severe damage. The coral marvel at the these incredible gifts reef refuges represent a baseline for of nature. For some Americans, pristine conditions allowing coral reefs are fundamental to the scientists to study climate change fabric of their local communities and impacts separate from the human are intertwined with their cultural impacts thus providing fundamental traditions. Yet, the coral reef insights for conservation and Orange-fin Anemonefish (Amphiprion communities in the National chrysopterus) and Bubble Tip Anemone restoration of these valuable but Wildlife Refuge System are also endangered ecosystems. (Entacmaea quadricolor), Baker Island cherished from afar. Underwater All photos courtesy Jim Maragos / USFWS. Northwest Hawaiian Islands Hawaiian Islands NWR 1909 Midway Atoll NWR 1988* Remote Pacific Ocean Johnston Atoll NWR 1926 Kingman Reef NWR 2001 Palmyra Atoll NWR 2001 Howland Island NWR 1974 Baker Island NWR 1974 Rose Atoll NWR 1973 Jarvis Island NWR 1974 Guam NWR 1993 Florida and Caribbean Key West NWR 1908 Great White Heron NWR 1938 Navassa Island NWR 1999 * Midway Atoll NWR and Hawaiian Islands NWR are part of the 89 million acre Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Coral Reef National Wildlife Refuges About the Coral Reef Refuges Earhart before she disappeared Midway Atoll, site of the famous during her round the world flight in Johnston Island is likely the most battle that changed the course of 1937. isolated atoll in the world. Perhaps World War II, conserves almost due to this isolation, fewer coral 300,000 acres of coral reefs and open Palmyra Atoll is a group of small species are found at Johnston Island water along with the historical islands encircling a system of three than at other Pacific sites; however, resources of the islands. Many of lagoons surrounded by more than coral coverage is extremely high. the other refuges in the Pacific also 16,000 acres of coral reefs. Owing to Fish abundance is also high with served as important forward the 175 inches of annual rainfall, the over 300 species reported many of operating bases during the war. islands are covered with lush which are found no where else in the vegetation including some of the last world. Johnston Island was long Some of the refuges, including surviving stands of Pisonia beach controlled by the U.S. military, who Navassa Island in the Caribbean forest in the U.S. Pacific, including dredged large areas of the lagoon for Sea and Baker, Howland, and Jarvis some trees that tower over 100 feet material to expand the island from Islands in the South Pacific, were in height. Kingman Reef, just 38 46 to 596 acres. Despite this major initially claimed by the U.S. under miles northwest of Palmyra Atoll, disturbance the health of the coral the Guano Islands Act of 1856. includes some of the most remote reefs is exceptional; testament to the These islands, home to massive and pristine coral reefs in the world. resilience of these ecosystems. seabird colonies for many centuries, The refuge is an example of a trophic contained guano deposits, prized as pyramid turned upside down. Far The Ritidian Unit of the Guam an agricultural fertilizer, over a different from the typical coral reef NWR, is an "overlay refuge" on lands hundred feet deep. After the community with their vast schools of administered by the U.S. Air Force resource was depleted, the islands small fish, the Kingman Reef and U.S. Navy. Although the remained U.S. possessions and were ecosystem is dominated by top military mission comes first on these governed as insular affairs. predators such as sharks and red lands, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Howland Island is perhaps most snappers while surprisingly few prey Service assists in protecting native famous for being the next fish are present. species and habitats. destination of famed aviator Amelia Rose Atoll, one of the smallest atolls The Key West and Great White For more information about the in the world, is the southernmost Heron refuges, two of the most Coral Reef Refuges please contact: refuge in the System located at 14° S visited in the entire system, were Andrew Gude Latitude. The refuge is included originally designated in order to National Wildlife Refuge System within the territory of and managed protect migratory birds. However, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, RM 636 cooperatively with American Samoa. these refuges also include Rose is distinguished by the pink substantial near-shore coral reefs Arlington, VA 22203 hue of its atoll reef, caused by that are easily accessible for [email protected] crustose coralline algae, and the recreational activity. All of the other P: 703.358.2415 numerous flat-topped, steep-sided coral reef refuges require special use pinnacles that rise from the lagoon’s permits for entry. http://www.fws.gov/refuges/ sandy floor. .