Coral reefs are enormously complex ecosystems, teeming with biodiversity. However, due to overfishing, coastal development, and factors associated with global climate change, the world's coral reefs are dying off at staggering rates. In fact, researchers estimate that we've already lost 20% of our reefs worldwide, and we're set to lose another 35% by 2050 if the global community doesn't act quickly. The Moorea Coral Reef Long-Term Ecological Research Site (MCR LTER), a National Science Foundation-funded project intended to study and protect reefs in Moorea, French Polynesia, boasts a particularly informative web site. Under General Information, readers may browse sections on News, What We Do, Locality, and Habitats Studied for information about the project, as well as beautiful pictures of this tropical paradise. The Research link takes readers to glosses of long-term trends and process-oriented studies. Educators may be particularly interested in the Education & Outreach link, which navigates to a separate website designed for teachers.
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