scholarly journals Microhabitats of sharknose goby (Elacatinus evelynae) cleaning stations and their links with cleaning behaviour

Coral Reefs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn E. Whittey ◽  
Katie Dunkley ◽  
Grace C. Young ◽  
Jo Cable ◽  
Sarah E. Perkins
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Structural Complexity ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Cleaner Fish ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Anthropogenic Threats ◽  
Cleaning Stations

AbstractCoral reefs are renowned for the complexity of their habitat structures and their resulting ability to host more species per unit area than any another marine ecosystem. Dedicated cleaner fish, which acquire all their food resources through client interactions, rely on both the habitat structures (by using topological cleaning stations) and the wide diversity of fish species available on coral reefs, to function. As a result of natural and anthropogenic threats, coral reef habitat structures and their complexity are being lost—despite this threat it is unclear how important reef geometry is to key ecological interactions, like cleaning. Using an established Caribbean reef study site, three-dimensional constructions of discrete coral heads were used to investigate how fine-scale structural complexity traits (structural complexity—measured by rugosity and vector dispersion—height, volume, surface area, percentage live coral cover and refuge availability) relate to cleaner occupancy, abundance and their cleaning interactions with clients. Coral height was a particularly important trait for cleaning, correlating with both the occurrence of cleaning stations on a reef, and with increased cleaning durations and reduced cleaning frequencies/rates. Cleaning stations were also more structurally complex than non-cleaning coral heads, and the increased availability of uneven surfaces (creating cracks and crevices) and refuge availability linked with increased cleaning durations/rates. By understanding habitat features important to cleaner fish on a typical Caribbean fringing reef, we can gain a better understanding of how important reef geometry might be for governing the occurrence and dynamics of such mutualisms.

scholarly journals Associations between Benthic Cover and Habitat Complexity Metrics Obtained from 3D Reconstruction of Coral Reefs at Different Resolutions

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsuko Fukunaga ◽  
John H. R. Burns ◽  
Kailey H. Pascoe ◽  
Randall K. Kosaki
Keyword(s):  
Fractal Dimension ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Habitat Structure ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Structural Complexity ◽  
Coralline Algae ◽  
Crustose Coralline Algae ◽  
Surface Areas ◽  
Abundance And Diversity

Quantifying the three-dimensional (3D) habitat structure of coral reefs is an important aspect of coral reef monitoring, as habitat architecture affects the abundance and diversity of reef organisms. Here, we used photogrammetric techniques to generate 3D reconstructions of coral reefs and examined relationships between benthic cover and various habitat metrics obtained at six different resolutions of raster cells, ranging from 1 to 32 cm. For metrics of 3D structural complexity, fractal dimension, which utilizes information on 3D surface areas obtained at different resolutions, and vector ruggedness measure (VRM) obtained at 1-, 2- or 4-cm resolution correlated well with benthic cover, with a relatively large amount of variability in these metrics being explained by the proportions of corals and crustose coralline algae. Curvature measures were, on the other hand, correlated with branching and mounding coral cover when obtained at 1-cm resolution, but the amount of variability explained by benthic cover was generally very low when obtained at all other resolutions. These results show that either fractal dimension or VRM obtained at 1-, 2- or 4-cm resolution, along with curvature obtained at 1-cm resolution, can effectively capture the 3D habitat structure provided by specific benthic organisms.

scholarly journals Coral Reef Degradation Due to ‘Ship Grounding’ in Indonesia: Case Study of Ship Aground in Bangka-Belitung Waters by Mother Vessel MV Lyric Poet

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 263
Author(s):  
Idris Idris ◽  
Neviaty P. Zamani ◽  
Suharsono Suharsono ◽  
Fakhrurrozi Fakhrurrozi
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Species ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Hard Coral ◽  
Lyric Poet ◽  
Ship Grounding

HighlightDamage to coral reefs by ship aground is twice the area of a football fieldFound four zones of damage including runoff, dune, blow and dispersalMortality of live coral and other benthic biota ranges from 75-100% in the affected locationThe form of damaged live coral growth is predominantly slow growing.Eight hard coral species were found on the IUCN-Redlist list with a vulnerable status.AbstractShip grounding on coral reefs often results in physical and biological damage, including dislodging and removal of corals from reefs, destruction of coral skeletons, erosion and removal of sediment deposits, and loss of three-dimensional complexity. Indonesia, as an archipelagic country, is very vulnerable to various pressures; for example, the case of ship grounding is a great concern of scientists, managers, divers, and sailors themselves. Most of the damage is very severe. The purpose of the research conducted is to identify the condition of the live coral cover, mapping the type and extent of coral reef damage, affected coral species, their conservation status, and to quantify the extent of the area of coral reef damage. Measuring the extent of damage to coral reef ecosystems using the fishbone method, while the level of damage and its impact was measured using the Underwater Photo Transect (UPT) and belt transect method. The event of the grounding of the MV Lyric Poet on the Bangka Waters, Bangka-Belitung Province, has caused damage to the coral reef ecosystem. There are four damage zones identified, i.e., trajectory, mound, propeller, and dispersion zone. Corals are damaged with a total area of 13.540m2; equivalent to twice that of an international football field. Diversity of hard coral found as many as 49 species included in the CITES-Appendix II. A total of eight protected species are included in the IUCN Red List with extinction-prone status.

scholarly journals Diversity and abundance of conspicuous macrocrustaceans on coral reefs differing in level of degradation

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto González-Gómez ◽  
Patricia Briones-Fourzán ◽  
Lorenzo Álvarez-Filip ◽  
Enrique Lozano-Álvarez
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Structural Complexity ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Percent Cover ◽  
Acropora Palmata ◽  
Coral Rubble ◽  
Local Diversity ◽  
Census Techniques

Coral reefs sustain abundant and diverse macrocrustaceans that perform multiple ecological roles, but coral reefs are undergoing massive degradation that may be driving changes in the species composition and abundance of reef-associated macrocrustaceans. To provide insight into this issue, we used non-destructive visual census techniques to compare the diversity and abundance of conspicuous macrocrustaceans (i.e., those >1 cm and visible without disturbance) between two shallow Caribbean coral reefs similar in size (∼1.5 km in length) and close to each other, but one (“Limones”) characterized by extensive stands of the branching coral Acropora palmata, and the other (“Bonanza”) dominated by macroalgae and relic coral skeletons and rubble (i.e., degraded). We also assessed the structural complexity of each reef and the percent cover of various benthic community components. Given the type of growth of A. palmata, we expected to find a greater structural complexity, a higher cover of live coral, and a lower cover of macroalgae on Limones, and hence a more diverse and abundant macrocrustacean community on this reef compared with Bonanza. Overall, we identified 63 macrocrustacean species (61 Decapoda and two Stomatopoda). Contrary to our expectations, structural complexity did not differ significantly between the back-reef zones of these reefs but varied more broadly on Limones, and the diversity and abundance of macrocrustaceans were higher on Bonanza than on Limones despite live coral cover being higher on Limones and macroalgal cover higher on Bonanza. However, the use of various types of microhabitats by macrocrustaceans differed substantially between reefs. On both reefs, the dominant species were the clinging crab Mithraculus coryphe and the hermit crab Calcinus tibicen, but the former was more abundant on Bonanza and the latter on Limones. M. coryphe occupied a diverse array of microhabitats but mostly coral rubble and relic skeletons, whereas C. tibicen was often, but not always, found associated with colonies of Millepora spp. A small commensal crab of A. palmata, Domecia acanthophora, was far more abundant on Limones, emerging as the main discriminant species between reefs. Our results suggest that local diversity and abundance of reef-associated macrocrustaceans are partially modulated by habitat degradation, the diversity of microhabitat types, and the establishment of different commensal associations rather than by structural complexity alone.

scholarly journals Moving to 3D: relationships between coral planar area, surface area and volume

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny E House ◽  
Luc M Bidaut ◽  
Alec P Christie ◽  
Oscar Pizarro ◽  
Maria Dornelas
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Reef Corals ◽  
Technological Developments ◽  
Planar Area ◽  
2D And 3D ◽  
Area And Volume

Coral reefs are a valuable and vulnerable marine ecosystem. The structure of coral reefs influences their health and ability to fulfill ecosystem functions and services. However, monitoring reef corals largely relies on 1D or 2D estimates of coral cover and abundance that overlook change in ecologically significant aspects of the reefs because they do not incorporate vertical or volumetric information. This study explores the relationship between 2D and 3D metrics of coral size. We show that surface area and volume scale consistently with planar area, albeit with morphotype specific conversion parameters. We use a photogrammetric approach using open-source software to estimate the ability of photogrammetry to provide measurement estimates of corals in 3D. Technological developments have made photogrammetry a valid and practical technique for studying coral reefs. We anticipate that these techniques for moving coral research from 2D into 3D will facilitate answering ecological questions by incorporating the 3rd dimension into monitoring.

scholarly journals Status of Coral Reefs in the Water of Spermonde, Makassar, South Sulawesi

2021 ◽  
Vol 324 ◽  
pp. 03007
Author(s):  
Ni Wayan Purnama Sari ◽  
Rikoh Manogar Siringoringo ◽  
Muhammad Abrar ◽  
Risandi Dwirama Putra ◽  
Raden Sutiadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Health Index ◽  
Point Count ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
Reef Health ◽  
Index Value

Observations of the condition of coral reefs have been carried out in Spermonde waters from 2015 to 2018. The method used in this observation uses Underwater Photo Transect (UPT), and the data obtained is analyzed using CPCe (Coral Point Count with Excel Extensions) software. The results show that the percentage of coral cover has increased from year to year. The percentage of live coral cover in 2015 was 19.64%, 23.60 in 2016, 23.72% in 2017, and 27.83% in 2018. The increase in live coral cover from year to year is thought to occur due to the availability of nutrients. or increasing public awareness, considering this location is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Makassar. Coral reef health index values can be used to classify coral reef health. Through the analysis of the coral reef health index, an index value of 4 was obtained, which means that the condition of the coral reefs is in the “moderate” category.

Crown-of-thorns starfish outbreak at Taiping Island (Itu Aba), Spratlys, South China Sea

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Khang Heng ◽  
Ming-Jay Ho ◽  
Chao-Yang Kuo ◽  
Ya-Yi Huang ◽  
Chia-Ying Ko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South China Sea ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
South China ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Significant Decline ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Sea Stars ◽  
China Sea ◽  
Regional Collaboration ◽  
First Time

Outbreak of crown-of-thorns sea stars, Acanthaster cf. solaris, were documented in coral reefs around Taiping Island, Spratlys for the first time. The outbreak might be thereason for the significant decline in live coral cover in 2021. Comprehensive monitoring through regional collaboration is needed.

Management of Antarctic baleen whales amid past exploitation, current threats and complex marine ecosystems

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 503-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Leaper ◽  
Cara Miller
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Marine Pollution ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Baleen Whales ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Management Approaches ◽  
Anthropogenic Threats ◽  
The Antarctic

AbstractAs baleen whales recover from severe exploitation, they are probably subject to a wide variety of threats within the Antarctic marine ecosystem, including directed take. Here we review both the management and current status of Antarctic baleen whales and consider those threats likely to impact on them. Threats range from global problems - marine pollution and climate change - to localized issues including shipping, habitat disturbance, unregulated wildlife tourism and fishery activities. We identify the most pressing anthropogenic threats to baleen whales including scientific whaling and climate change. It is unclear whether current management approaches will be able to effectively encompass all these threats while also accounting both for the differing levels of scientific understanding and for the differing recovery rates of the whale species. For management we recommend the following: 1) incorporation of both ecosystem considerations and the suite of identified threats not limited to direct take, 2) identification of measurable indicators of changes in whales that allow more certainty in monitoring of populations and the environment, and 3) recognition of significant relationships between baleen whales and habitat features to provide information on distribution and use.

Ecological State of Coral Reefs for Conservation and Developmental Planning in Pandan Island, Puerto Princesa City, Philippines

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel G. Becira ◽  
Benjamin J. Gonzales ◽  
Honorio B. Pagliawan
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Resource Assessment ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Commercial Fish ◽  
Pinna Nobilis ◽  
Commercially Important

In Palawan, Philippines, Honda Bay is fast becoming a target recreational site for curious domestic and foreign visitors. The general objectives of this resource assessment are to gather information regarding status of the marine resources in Pandan Island, and to provide recommendations for their sustainable use. Assessment was done using line intercept transect (LIT), fish visual census (FVC) and an imaginary transect belt for coral cover, fish, and macro-invertebrates, respectively. Average live coral cover around Pandan Island can be categorized as good (57%), with stations 7 and 1 and 2 categorized as excellent (76-100%) and fair (26-50%) conditions, respectively. Some 178 fish species were recorded in Pandan Island waters of which seven (7) highly target and 29 common commercial fish species were found. The estimated total reef fish biomass around Pandan Island is 588 mt/ km2. A total of eight macro invertebrate (shells, etc.) species belonging to five families was found around Pandan Island. The study concluded that of these eight species, six are commercially important,Tridacnacro cea(taklobo), Tridacnasquamosa (taklobo), Hippopusporcellanus(taklobo), Trochusniloticus(topshell), Pinna nobilis (tarab), and Bohadschiamarmota (sea cucumber). Five of these species the T. crocea, T. squamosa, H. porcellanus, P. nobilis, and T. niloticus are listed as endangered species by International Union for Conservation of Nature.   Keywords - target species, macro-invertebrates, coral cover, coral reefs, reef fish, conservation

scholarly journals Cuando la conservación no puede seguir el ritmo del desarrollo: Estado de salud de los ecosistemas coralinos del Pacífico Norte de Costa Rica

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (1-1) ◽  
pp. 280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan José Alvarado ◽  
Andrés Beita-Jiménez ◽  
Sebastián Mena ◽  
Cindy Fernández ◽  
Jorge Cortés ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
North Pacific ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Actual State ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
The North ◽  
Invasive Seaweed ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
The North Pacific

Abstract: When conservation can keep up with development´s pace: Health status of coral ecosystems in the North Pacific of Costa Rica. Coral reefs are diverse and productive ecosystems, despite this, they are being threatened by human activities that enhance the detrimental impact of the natural phenomenon’s like Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB). The north Pacific of Costa Rica has been characterized as one of the best regions for the coral reefs development in the country. However, many of these ecosystems are being lost as a result of eutrophication, overfishing, invasive species and others impacts that affect the region. In the present study, live coral cover in the north Pacific was 5.0 ± 10.4(s.d.) %, with a domination in the ecosystems by turf algae. Twenty-six invertebrate taxa were registered in the region with the predominance of the sea urchin Diadema mexicanum. Ninety-four species of reef fish were identified. Snappers and some planktivores species were the groups with the highest frequency and abundance. The localities previously studied in the 1990 decade, presented a mean live coral cover between 40-50 %, whereby the actual state of the reef reflect a significant deterioration. This decline in coral cover is due to natural events like the El Niño, as well as the decrease in water quality in the region. In recent years, proliferations of the invasive seaweed Caulerpa sertularioides and high densities of bioerosive sea urchins have been reported, mainly associated with HAB events. Likewise, fish communities have low biomass, especially in the vicinity of fishing villages. The state of the reefs in the North Pacific is worrying and requires actions for its recovery and conservation, for which there must be better planning of the development of projects and activities on the coast. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(Suppl. 1): S280-S308. Epub 2018 April 01. 

scholarly journals Data Integration Through WebGIS to Inform Spatial Status of Coral Reefs in Lampung Province, Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 396-402
Author(s):  
Adib Mustofa ◽  
Budhi Agung Prasetyo
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Data Integration ◽  
Ecosystem Management ◽  
West Coast ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Ecosystem Monitoring ◽  
Reef Monitoring

Data integration of structured ecosystem monitoring is crucial to support decision making for better marine ecosystem management. Coral reef monitoring data had been carried out in several separated studies in Lampung Province. However, lacks data integration among scientists and institutions making them inefficient as a basis of science for ecosystem management and decision making. This study was aimed to integrate available coral reef data in the last 15 years in Lampung Province and inform the spatial status of coral reef cover through WebGIS. Secondary data of coral reef study in the last 15 years were acquired from published articles and online-available-institutional reports. Data were then converted to digital mode prior to publishing them in the form of a website database through WebGIS. Results suggested that there were four main areas of coral reef studies in Lampung Province, namely Lampung bay, Krakatau, Bakauheni, and Lampung west coast. One-way ANOVA analysis of the last 5-year coral data shown there were no spatial differences on coral cover the four areas. Coral cover in Lampung west coast was generally in good shape at 56.13±1.74% and was higher compared to those in Lampung bay, Bakauheni, dan Krakatau regions, at 46.57±2.23%, 36.48±1.58%, and 35.6±3.69%, respectively. All coral data was published through WebGIS at https://sll.itera.ac.id/research/webgis . It is recommended this WebGIS could serve as a reference to conduct long-term coral reef monitoring in Lampung since it provides coordinates and coral reef status as baseline data for further analysis of coral reefs ecosystem.

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