Reefs of life to reefs of death: The political ecology of coral reef health

This research focuses on the South Pacific region, an area of high global coral diversity. I examine reef health surrounding two islands in Fiji, Vatulele and Ovalau, and two Cook Islands, Aitutaki and Rarotonga. Each island has distinct differences based not only on reef type, environment, and ecology, but also upon social institutions. I will compare four islands with barrier and fringing reefs that have different levels of economic development, population pressure, land-use practices, and marine management practices. This research will assess coral health in areas that have not been previously surveyed.; This interdisciplinary research methodology includes both ecological and social data collection to further understanding of human environment interactions. I do this by identifying and describing the presence of certain social institutions and some historical reasons as to why they exist. I then assess the impact they probably are having on the reef, and finally I present data on the ecological condition correlated with certain social institutions. In comparing the reefs with these social conditions and institutions, I argue that certain institutions have greater or lesser impact upon coral reef health based upon correlation. Correlative research is useful to point out areas of future research, and to provide data to make estimates as to the level of causality, which could in turn be information used for policy making and activism.; Through the examination of four island case studies I will argue that: (1) The commodification of the reef and reef resources is one of the primary factors causing the decline of coral reef health. (2) The loss of traditional marine social institutions has affected coral reef health. Specifically, the transformation of common property resources from communally owned property to state owned with open access status has primarily influenced ecological change on the reef. (3) The implementation of traditional marine social institutions as exemplified in a case study in Rarotonga, Cook Islands is improving coral reef health. (4) The image of the South Pacific as having “healthy” reefs shapes and forms policy and practices of global, regional, and local institutions and organizations.