The Reef Environment Centralized InFormation System (RECIFS): An integrated geo‐environmental database for coral reef research and conservation

AbstractMotivationHost to intricate networks of marine species, coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth. Over the past few decades, major degradations of coral reefs have been observed worldwide, which is largely attributed to the effects of climate change and local stressors related to human activities. Now more than ever, characterizing how the environment shapes the dynamics of the reef ecosystem (e.g., shifts in species abundance, community changes, emergence of locally adapted populations) is key to uncovering the environmental drivers of reef degradation, and developing efficient conservation strategies in response. To achieve these objectives, it is pivotal that environmental data describing the processes driving such ecosystem dynamics, which occur across specific spatial and temporal scales, are easily accessible to coral reef researchers and conservation stakeholders alike.Main types of variable containedMultiple environmental variables characterizing various facets of the reef environment, including water chemistry and physics (e.g., temperature, pH, chlorophyll concentration), local anthropogenic pressures (e.g., boat traffic, distance from agricultural or urban areas) and sea currents patterns.Spatial location and grainWorldwide reef cells of 5 by 5 km.Time period and grainLast 3–4 decades, monthly and yearly resolution.Major taxa and level of measurementEnvironmental data important for coral reefs and associated biodiversity.Software formatInteractive web application available at https://recifs.epfl.ch.