The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) aims to facilitate discussion between scientists and Marine Park managers about scientific projects that will help inform Marine Park management, especially high priorities. Find out more about how GBRMPA uses scientific information and translating information needs into research for management.

In order to maximise the usefulness of any given scientific project it is important that scientists and managers collaborate throughout the life cycle of the project - from initial planning right through to analysis and reporting.  

Over Arching Research Questions

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has five over-arching research questions.  These centre on how natural resource management can be improved to protect the environmental, economic and social values of the Great Barrier Reef. View the over arching research questions.

Framework for GBRMPA's scientific information needs based on the Outlook Report 2009

The GBRMPA's scientific information needs have been updated to reflect the structure and priorities of the Outlook Report 2009. The needs are identified through a new framework approach, which is structured in table format to depict the interactions between the Outlook Report assessment components. The tables show the level of concern to management and the current adequacy of knowledge to help identify priority information gaps that need to be addressed. Read more about how these scientific information needs were determined.

View the guide to interpreting the Framework Tables.

Interactions between biodiversity, impacts of uses, and factors influencing the Reef's values. 

This table indicates the ways in which factors influencing the Marine Park affect different elements of biodiversity (habitats and groups of species). The coloured boxes are linked to web pages with further information and links regarding that specific interaction. The column titled Overall Status includes the cumulative impacts on that component.

Interactions between ecosystem health, impacts of uses, and factors influencing the Reef's values. 

This table indicates the ways in which factors influencing the Marine Park affect different elements of ecosystem health (physical, chemical and ecological processes) as well as outbreaks of disease, introduced species and pest species. The coloured boxes are linked to web pages with further information and links regarding that specific interaction. The column titled Overall Status includes the cumulative impacts on that component.

Interactions between benefits of use and factors influencing those benefits.

This table indicates the ways in which factors influencing the Marine Park affect the social, economic and cultural benefits derived from different uses of the Marine Park. The coloured boxes are linked to web pages with further information and links regarding that specific interaction. The column titled Overall Status includes the cumulative impacts on that component.

Related information

• Scientific Information Needs 2009 [1.02MB]
• How GBRMPA uses scientific information
  
• Translating information needs into research for management
• How these scientific information needs were determined