What?

Mesoamerican Reef DAO (MesoReefDAO) is a Regenerative Coral Reef Science initiative that focuses on the creation of a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) of DeSci (Decentralized Science) that seeks to scale coral reef conservation efforts in the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR). The Mesoamerican Reef is indeed the second-largest coral reef system in the world, spanning over 600 miles along the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras (Fig 1). It is an incredibly diverse and ecologically important ecosystem, providing habitat for thousands of species that support ecological goods and services.

Fig 1. A map of the Mesoamerican Reef, © WWF Guatemala.

MesoReefDAO is working to establish partnerships with local communities, NGOs, and governments to support the implementation of sustainable fishing practices and the development of marine protected areas in the MAR. The DAO believes that engaging local communities in conservation efforts is crucial for the long-term sustainability of the region (Fig 2).

Fig 2. MesoReefDAO General Framework.

Mission The MesoReef DAO aims to restore, protect, preserve, and conserve the Mesoamerican Reef ecosystem, working towards the United Nations Decade of Restoration framework, through the implementation of regenerative practices, big data analytics, and decentralized technologies. We will foster a decentralized and collaborative management system to ensure a sustainable future for the reef and the people that depend on it.

Vision

The MesoReef DAO envisions a future where the Mesoamerican Reef ecosystem is thriving, providing ecological and economic benefits to local communities and visitors. We will achieve this by restoring degraded coral habitats, improving water quality, reducing pollution, promoting sustainable fishing practices, and educating local communities and visitors.

Problem

The problem that MesoReefDAO is trying to solve/mitigate is the rapid deterioration of the Mesoamerican Reef System due to climate change, pollution, overfishing, biodiversity loss, and other human activities. The Mesoamerican Reef System is one of the most biodiverse and economically important coral reef systems in the world, providing critical habitat for numerous species of marine life and supporting the livelihoods of millions of people in the region.

However, the reef system is under significant threat in the Anthropocene. The current approaches to address these issues have not been sufficient, with a lack of coordination between stakeholders, insufficient funding, and limited implementation of scientific research and data-driven decision-making.

Fig 3. Coral Outplanting areas in the Mexican Caribbean.

How?

MesoReefDAO aimed to mitigate the problems facing the Mesoamerican Reef through decentralized science web3 tools, community engagement, and leveraging the power of blockchain technology. As a DAO, MesoReefDAO is governed by its members, who collectively make decisions and allocate resources based on a set of rules and protocols encoded on the blockchain.

The framework model is centered around creating a decentralized, transparent, and sustainable system of funding and decision-making for regenerate coral reef conservation efforts in the Mesoamerican Reef System (Fig 4).

Fig 4. Six-layer framework (a-f) for “Web3” DeSci DAOs, adapted from Ding, et al., (2022).

Create regenerative feedbacks in coral reef conservation throughout the MAR (Fig 5).

Fig 5. The Five Steps of the Conservation and DeSci Web3 tools to explore adapted from Brown et al. (2022).

In this proposal, we aim to further develop and expand the capabilities of MesoReefDAO through the Climate Solutions category of the Gitcoin Grants program.

Our proposed project includes:

1. Explore and potentially build a user-friendly interface for MesoReefDAO: A well-designed interface will help to attract more users and make it easier for them to contribute to conservation efforts. The interface will also provide transparency into the decision-making process and the allocation of funds.

2. Developing a regenerative decentralized science (DeSci) offset program for the MAR: Climate change is one of the biggest threats to the MAR. To mitigate its impact, we plan to create a community-based decentralized science offset program that will incentivize individuals and organizations to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to MAR conservation efforts. The program will be transparently managed through MesoReefDAO.

3. Partnering with coral reef scientists: We aim to collaborate with coral reef scientists to identify and prioritize conservation efforts based on scientific research. This will ensure that the funds raised through MesoReefDAO are used in the most effective and impactful way possible.

4. Implementing smart contracts: Smart contracts will be used to automate the distribution of funds and ensure transparency and accountability. This will eliminate the need for intermediaries and reduce the risk of fraud and mismanagement.

When?

2023: Q1-Q4

Q1-2023

• Assemble transdisciplinary experts and core members for MesoReefDAO.

• Acquire an ENS domain and create a safe.global for funds.

• Create a Discord server.

• Promote the proposal on social media.

Q2/Q3-2023

-Create the framework for the MesoReefDAO DeSci DAO: protocol, governance, incentives, organization, operations, and applications.

• Apply for both traditional and decentralized grants.

• Monitor project growth and promote it through social media, summits, forums, and academic conferences.

Q4-2023

• Establishing synergies and creating onboarding channels/strategies with DeSci Web3 Tools for existing coral reef conservation projects and initiatives within our traditional science, as well as inviting stakeholders to join MesoReefDAO and beyond

• Create a co-management plan for the coordination and operation of MesoReefDAO:

1. Establish a clear governance structure and decision-making process that involves all stakeholders.

2. Develop a shared vision and goals for the project, ensuring that they are aligned with the values and objectives of all involved parties.

3. Establish regular communication channels and meetings to facilitate ongoing collaboration and information sharing.

4. Identify and assign roles and responsibilities to ensure that tasks are completed efficiently and effectively.

5. Develop a plan for monitoring and evaluating the project's progress, and adjust the plan as needed to ensure that it remains on track.

If you would like to look at our mid-long term co-adaptive SMART goals, you should check them out here

Here you can see our updates of MesoReefDAO.

Who? (Members)

Fig 5. MesoReefDAO Core Members and Advisors.

Core

MSc. Rodrigo Alfredo Nuñez-Inzunza (Co-Founder) PhD. Jesús Ernesto Arias-González (Co-Founder)

Advisors

PhD. Diana Morales-de-Anda (Fish Ecology) PhD. Julieta Maldonado-Sánchez (Invertebrate Ecology) PhD. Aarón Israel Muñiz-Castillo (Climate Change) PhD. Andrea Rivera-Sosa (Coral Bleaching) PhD. María Geovana Pech León (Coral Genomics) MSc. José Luis Cabrera Pérez (Coral Reef Fish Fisheries)

New Members:

Colleen Flanigan (Coral restoration practitioner + socio-ecological artist) PhD. Viridiana Alvarado-Cerón (Coral Genomics)

MesoReefDAO aims to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders including scientists, the private sector, local communities, academia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and government entities. Through these collaborations, MesoReefDAO aims to leverage the power of blockchain and DeSci DAOs to drive positive change to local communities and create synergies between sectors to address the challenges faced by coral reefs and the MAR. By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, MesoReefDAO seeks to foster innovation and develop effective solutions for coral reef conservation and restoration.

MesoReefDAO is committed to promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in all aspects of our project, including collaboration. We believe that diversity in perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences leads to more innovative solutions and better outcomes. We actively seek out partnerships and collaborations with individuals and organizations that share our values and commitment to DEI. We are open to working with a wide range of stakeholders, including those from underrepresented communities, to ensure that our project benefits and uplifts everyone. We recognize that DEI is an ongoing process and are committed to continuously learning, growing, and improving in this area.

Contact us on social media of MesoReefDAO if you want to get involved.

Updates:

1. Onboarding Scientists at CICY Research Centre (NGO) about our experience of being part of GreenPillMexico and our study case of MesoReefDAO and DeSci Mechanisms to explore

2. Part of the November Coral Bleaching Awareness Month with Coral Reef Alliance

3. Apply for a poster session of XII Congreso Mexicano de Arrecifes Coralinos y III Congreso Panamericano de Arrecifes Coralinos (en: XII Mexican Congress of Coral Reefs and III Pan-American Congress of Coral Reefs): MesoReefDAO: Conservación Descentralizada en el Arrecife Mesoamericano

4. Three more submissions to XII Mexican Congress of Coral Reefs and III Pan-American Congress of Coral Reefs:

• The level of protection in Marine Protected Areas (ANPs) and the habitat define the traits and structure of fish in the Mesoamerican Reef System, with support from Healthy Reefs (Morales-de-Anda et al.).

• Effect of the white syndrome in corals and other factors on the functional structure of reef fish in the SAM, with support from Healthy Reefs (Muñiz-Esponiza et al.).

• Function of herbivorous fish in the Mesoamerican Reef System, with support from Healthy Reefs (Fonseca-Tovar et al.).

5. Cordap CAP 2023 - Concept note submitted: ReefGuard Hub and Tool Kit some of our co-applicants and consultants:

• Coral Reef Alliance (Climate standards, Spatial/field Monitoring of potential hope areas)
• Healthy Reefs (logistics and data analyst/monitoring in the field)
• Iberostar Hotel Group/Wave of Change (Coral Reef Restoration, Probiotics, and some CBASS operations
• Rhode Island University (conservation genetics)
• Reef Institute (Life Support Systems)
• Plant A Million Corals (coral microfragmentation)
• Cozumel Coral Conservatory
• Beyond Coral Foundation (Robotics, AI, Blockchain, Web3)
• Lead Applicant: Cinvestav / MesoReefDAO (Fish Restoration/Coral Restoration and some DeSci-ReFi web3 approach to implement)

6. The Pass - DeSci DAO listing profile

7. RetroPGF - Keep word

8. November brings a field trip, fish tank setup, and financial tasks with Gitcoin Beta Round Funds

9. Fish tank setups for fish and coral pilot experiments and monitoring - first communities ecological succession on the way

10. Impact Zone Space with Impactopia, list of daos, kokonut network: Unleashing the Power of Decentralized Systems

11. We proudly showcased our coral restoration work at #SER2023 in Australia! with Iberostar’s Wave of Change

12. bio.xyz biotech 2nd cohort accelerator program postponed to January 2024 we are still in! (personal communication Leonard Boltz

13. Coral Reefs and Bleaching Workshop in the Mesoamerican Reef with Coral Reef Alliance and Healthy Reefs

14. Cinvestav Coral Bleaching Awareness Campaign

15. Discord MesoReefDAO community update channel Thanks to sminempepe

16. Refi con Fork twitter space with ForkDAO after GG18

To do: Q4-2023 – Q1-2024

• Bankless DeSci Unconferences: MesoReefDAO Divulgation (December 2023)
• Year Review: Highlights of 2023
• Create our webpage web2+web3 interface
• Onboard scientific and regenerative communities to regenerative crypto ecosystems
• Explore Web3 DAOs tools for decision making and voting