Identifying Mangrove-Coral Habitats in the Florida Keys

Coral reefs are degrading due to many synergistic stressors. Recently there have been a number of global reports of corals occupying mangrove habitats that provide a supportive environment or refugium for corals, sheltering them by reducing stressors such as oxidative light stress and low pH. This study used satellite imagery and manual ground-truthing surveys to search for mangrove-coral habitats in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and then collected basic environmental parameters (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pHNBS, turbidity) at identified sites using a multi-parameter water quality sonde. Two kinds of mangrove-coral habitats were found in both the Upper and Lower Florida Keys: (1) prop-root corals, where coral colonies were growing directly on (and around) mangrove prop roots, and (2) channel corals, where coral colonies were growing in mangrove channels under the shade of the mangrove canopy, at deeper depths and not in as close proximity to the mangroves. Coral species found growing on and directly adjacent to prop roots included Porites porites (multiple morphs, including P. divaricata and P. furcata), Siderastrea radians, and Favia fragum. Channel coral habitats predominantly hosted S. radians and a few S. siderea, although single colonies of Solenastrea bournoni and Stephanocoenia intersepta were observed. Although clear, low-turbidity water was a consistent feature of these mangrove-coral habitats, the specific combination of environmental factors that determine which mangrove habitats are favorable for coral recruitment remains to be defined. Circumstantial evidence suggests additional coral communities existed on mangrove shorelines of oceanside and backcountry islands until destroyed, likely by Hurricane Irma. These mangrove-coral habitats may be climate refugia for corals and could be included in ecosystem management plans and considered for their applications in coral restoration.

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STATUS TERUMBU KARANG DI PERAIRAN PESISIR NEGERI HUKURILA

TRITON : Jurnal Manajemen Sumberdaya Perairan ◽

10.30598/tritonvol17issue1page35-45 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 35-45

Author(s):

Dicky Sahetapy ◽

Laura Siahainenia ◽

Debby A J Selanno ◽

Johannes M S Tetelepta ◽

Novianty C Tuhumury

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Coral Reefs ◽

Coastal Waters ◽

Coral Species ◽

Similarity Index ◽

Ecological Index ◽

Stony Coral ◽

The Status ◽

Coral Communities ◽

Line Intercept

Coral reef is one of the important coastal ecosystems that have high biodiversity. This study aims to analyze the composition of the taxa and the distribution of coral species, the ecological index of coral communities and the status of coral reefs. The research was conducted from April-May 2019 in the coastal waters of Hukurila Village, South Leitimur District, Ambon City. Collecting coral data by using the Line Intercept Transect (LIT) method. Determination of coral reef condition based on percent data (value) of coral reef cover. During the study, 116 species of stony coral from 49 genera and 16 families were found, which 50 species of them are protected and 23 species of ornamental coral. The similarity index of stony coral species between coral reef locations ranges from 0.52-0.76 or there is the similarity of stony coral species between locations coral reef in the amount of 52-76%. The coral reefs of Hukurila Village have high diversity of coral species, with a low dominance of coral species in the community, and the compatibility of coral species in the community is classified as stable. Acropora corals contributed a low covering percent value (9.98%), while Non-Acropora corals contributed a relatively high percent of covering value (43.56%). The status of coral reefs between locations in the coastal waters of Hukurila Village is in the criteria of good (healthy). ABSTRAK Terumbu karang merupakan salah satu ekosistem pesisir penting yang emiliki kenanekaragaman hayati tinggi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis komposisi taksa dan sebaran spesies karang, indeks ekologi kominitas karang dan status terumbu karang. Penelitian dilakukan dari April-Mei 2019 di perairan pesisir Negeri Hukurila Kecamatan Leitimur Selatan Kota Ambon. Pengumpulan data karang menggunakan metode Line Intercept Transect (LIT). Penentuan kondisi terumbu karang berdasarkan data (nilai) persen penutupan karang batu. Selama penelitian ditemukan 116 spesies karang batu dari 49 genera dan 16 famili, dimana 50 spesies diantaranya dilindungi dan 23 spesies karang hias. Indeks similaritas spesies karang batu antar stasiun terumbu karang berkisar antara 0,52-0,76 atau terdapat kesamaan spesies karang batu antar lokasi terumbu karang sebesar 52-76%. Terumbu karang Negeri Hukurila memiliki diversitas spesies karang tinggi, dengan dominansi spesies karang rendah dalam komunitas, dan keserasian spesies karang dalam komunitas tergolong stabil. Karang Acropora memberi kontribusi nilai persen penutupan rendah (9,98%), sementara karang Non-Acropora memberi kontribusi nilai persen penutupan karang batu relatif tinggi (43,56%). Status terumbu karang antar stasiun terumbu perairan pesisir Negeri Hukurila berada dalam kriteria baik (sehat). Kata kunci: terumbu, karang batu, keragaman spesies, kesamaan, persen penutupan

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An emerging coral disease outbreak decimated Caribbean coral populations and reshaped reef functionality

10.21203/rs.3.rs-734716/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip ◽

F. González-Barrios ◽

Esmeralda Pérez-Cervantes ◽

Ana Molina-Hernandez ◽

Nuria Estrada-Saldívar

Keyword(s):

Coral Species ◽

Coral Disease ◽

Structural Features ◽

Caribbean Region ◽

Carbonate Production ◽

Coral Abundance ◽

Caribbean Coral ◽

Coral Communities ◽

The Caribbean ◽

Physical Functionality

Abstract Diseases are major drivers of the deterioration of coral reefs, linked to major declines in coral abundance, reef functionality, and reef-related ecosystems services1-3. An outbreak of a new disease is currently rampaging through the populations of the remaining reef-building corals across the Caribbean region. The outbreak was first reported in Florida in 2014 and reached the northern Mesoamerican reef by summer 2018, where it spread across the ~ 450-km reef system only in a few months4. Rapid infection was generalized across all sites and mortality rates ranged from 94% to < 10% among the 21 afflicted coral species. This single event further modified the coral communities across the region by increasing the relative dominance of weedy corals and reducing reef functionality, both in terms of functional diversity and calcium carbonate production. This emergent disease is likely to become the most lethal disturbance ever recorded in the Caribbean, and it will likely result in the onset of a new functional regime where key reef-building and complex branching acroporids (a genus apparently unaffected) will once again become conspicuous structural features in reef systems with yet even lower levels of physical functionality.

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Analysis of wastewater management in the Florida Keys

Water Policy ◽

10.2166/wp.2010.138 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 506-517 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Katherine Sleasman

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Florida Keys ◽

The State ◽

Wastewater Management ◽

Monroe County ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Comprehensive Plan ◽

Effluent Standards ◽

Management Plans

Maintaining water quality in the Florida Keys is vital to the area’s economy. However, the lack of sewage infrastructure has degraded nearshore water quality. The Monroe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan outlines strategies to improve sewage infrastructure to meet the State of Florida’s 2010 effluent standards. This paper assesses the progress of the Monroe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan in the context of Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) by means of surveys, semi-structured interviews, and secondary data. Monroe County’s plan included aspects of ICM and emphasized a community-based approach for incorporated and unincorporated areas to meet effluent standards. However, areas throughout the Florida Keys faced financial constraints and lack of resources in executing public work initiatives. Variability in management plans developed by municipalities demonstrated the need for a top down approach. The State of Florida and Monroe County could have provided more guidance and resources, and facilitated communication between the various entities to help complete objectives by the 2010 deadline.

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Reef and coral communities of Oman, with a description of a new coral species (Order Scleractinia, genusAcanthastrea)

Journal of Natural History ◽

10.1080/00222938800770201 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 263-279 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

C.R.C. Sheppard ◽

R.V. Salm

Keyword(s):

Coral Species ◽

Coral Communities

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Persistence of Corals in Marginal Habitats: the Role of the Environment, and Symbiont Diversity and Ecophysiology

10.26686/wgtn.16968646.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Laura Caroline Wicks

Keyword(s):

Host Specificity ◽

Environmental Conditions ◽

Environmental Parameters ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Local Scale ◽

Physiological Tolerance ◽

Marginal Environments ◽

Coral Communities ◽

High Diversity ◽

Marginal Habitats

Many corals live in marginal habitats, close to their survival thresholds of water temperature, light penetration and aragonite saturation. Living under these highly variable and extreme conditions is likely facilitated by specific physiological adaptations and/or the presence of unique species of coral and their symbionts but data on these factors are limited. The specific objectives of the study were to: (1) examine the diversity and distribution patterns of corals in marginal environments, (2) investigate the diversity, distribution patterns and host specificity of symbionts in corals in marginal environments, (3) assess the influence of environmental variables on host and symbiont distribution in marginal environments, in comparison to 'optimal' environments, and (4) examine the physiological responses to changing environmental conditions and stress of corals and their symbionts in marginal environments. Surveys of coral community patterns were conducted at the Kermadec Islands (KI), New Zealand, and Palmyra Atoll, USA, with local scale environmental parameters (i.e. wave exposure and sedimentation) found to control the diversity and distribution of the coral communities. Symbiodinium types were identified to subcladal level in a range of coral species at each of the survey sites, using ITS2-DGGE. A high diversity of C type symbionts (19 types in 13 host genera), and reduced host specificity was observed at the high latitude site of Lord Howe Island (LHI), Australia, with similarly high diversity at the KI (10 types in 9 genera). Thirteen novel clade C types were identified in corals at LHI, with two of these types also present in hosts at the KI. The reduced host specificity of symbionts at LHI, compared to tropical sites, implies that the evolution of novel holobionts may be an important mechanism whereby corals can cope with variable and stressful conditions. Further, physiological assessment of the novel LHI symbionts led to the suggestion that Symbiodinium at LHI may be specialised for cooler and more variable temperatures, so contributing to the success of corals at this marginal location. In contrast, a low diversity of generalist symbionts (C and D types) were uncovered at the equatorial site of Palmyra Atoll (10 types in 13 genera), attributed to the stressful environmental regime resulting in a reduced population of stresstolerant symbionts. The variation in environmental parameters, particularly sedimentation, around Palmyra Atoll has led to diversification of coral communities, however this environmental variation has not affected the symbiont communities. While it has been suggested that marginal coral communities might be better adapted for survival in an environment modified by global climate change, the local scale environmental factors are also important drivers of both coral and symbiont distributions, and should be considered when making predictions for the future. Further, assessment of the physiological tolerance ranges of both the multiple, novel symbionts at high latitudes, and the few, potentially stress-tolerant symbionts at Palmyra should be conducted, to help determine whether they have the ability to adjust to new environmental conditions.

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Persistence of Corals in Marginal Habitats: the Role of the Environment, and Symbiont Diversity and Ecophysiology

10.26686/wgtn.16968646 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Laura Caroline Wicks

Keyword(s):

Host Specificity ◽

Environmental Conditions ◽

Environmental Parameters ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Local Scale ◽

Physiological Tolerance ◽

Marginal Environments ◽

Coral Communities ◽

High Diversity ◽

Marginal Habitats

Many corals live in marginal habitats, close to their survival thresholds of water temperature, light penetration and aragonite saturation. Living under these highly variable and extreme conditions is likely facilitated by specific physiological adaptations and/or the presence of unique species of coral and their symbionts but data on these factors are limited. The specific objectives of the study were to: (1) examine the diversity and distribution patterns of corals in marginal environments, (2) investigate the diversity, distribution patterns and host specificity of symbionts in corals in marginal environments, (3) assess the influence of environmental variables on host and symbiont distribution in marginal environments, in comparison to 'optimal' environments, and (4) examine the physiological responses to changing environmental conditions and stress of corals and their symbionts in marginal environments. Surveys of coral community patterns were conducted at the Kermadec Islands (KI), New Zealand, and Palmyra Atoll, USA, with local scale environmental parameters (i.e. wave exposure and sedimentation) found to control the diversity and distribution of the coral communities. Symbiodinium types were identified to subcladal level in a range of coral species at each of the survey sites, using ITS2-DGGE. A high diversity of C type symbionts (19 types in 13 host genera), and reduced host specificity was observed at the high latitude site of Lord Howe Island (LHI), Australia, with similarly high diversity at the KI (10 types in 9 genera). Thirteen novel clade C types were identified in corals at LHI, with two of these types also present in hosts at the KI. The reduced host specificity of symbionts at LHI, compared to tropical sites, implies that the evolution of novel holobionts may be an important mechanism whereby corals can cope with variable and stressful conditions. Further, physiological assessment of the novel LHI symbionts led to the suggestion that Symbiodinium at LHI may be specialised for cooler and more variable temperatures, so contributing to the success of corals at this marginal location. In contrast, a low diversity of generalist symbionts (C and D types) were uncovered at the equatorial site of Palmyra Atoll (10 types in 13 genera), attributed to the stressful environmental regime resulting in a reduced population of stresstolerant symbionts. The variation in environmental parameters, particularly sedimentation, around Palmyra Atoll has led to diversification of coral communities, however this environmental variation has not affected the symbiont communities. While it has been suggested that marginal coral communities might be better adapted for survival in an environment modified by global climate change, the local scale environmental factors are also important drivers of both coral and symbiont distributions, and should be considered when making predictions for the future. Further, assessment of the physiological tolerance ranges of both the multiple, novel symbionts at high latitudes, and the few, potentially stress-tolerant symbionts at Palmyra should be conducted, to help determine whether they have the ability to adjust to new environmental conditions.

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Composición florística y diversidad de la vegetación de humedales en los lagos interdunarios de Veracruz

Botanical Sciences ◽

10.17129/botsci.2307 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 85 ◽

pp. 89

Author(s):

Luis Alberto Peralta Peláez ◽

Patricia Moreno Casasola

Keyword(s):

Cynodon Dactylon ◽

Environmental Parameters ◽

Grass Species ◽

Ceratophyllum Demersum ◽

Sagittaria Lancifolia ◽

Composition And Structure ◽

Dune Lakes ◽

Management Plans ◽

Surrounding Areas ◽

Grazing Lands

Dune lakes of the coast of Veracruz, Mexico, are shallow freshwater lakes with suitable conditions for the establishment of herbaceous and arboreal wetlands. Most of the vegetation of the surrounding dunes has been transformed into pastures for grazing lands and sugar cane plantations. The objective of this paper is to describe and compare structure, composition and diversity of the wetland vegetation of 15 dune lakes in the rural area. Environmental parameters (pH, salinity, size, depth and number of dry months) were taken into account. Plant diversity of these lakes comprise 46 families (27 strictly aquatic) and 82 species, among them Sagittaria lancifolia, Pontederia sagittata, Ceratophyllum demersum. Species richness fl uctuated between 5 and 33 species. The classifi cation resulted in nine fl oristic wetland groups, three of them with grass species from the surrounding areas (Cynodon dactylon, Echinochloa pyramidalis). Ordination separated lakes based on pH and number of dry months. Management plans should be developed together with the owners to maintain both the use of these lakes and the composition and structure of their wetlands.

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Ecological Aspects of the Distribution of Reef Corals in the Netherlands Antilles

Bijdragen tot de Dierkunde ◽

10.1163/26660644-04502002 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

pp. 181-190 ◽

Cited By ~ 52

Author(s):

Rolf P. M. Bak

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Growth Form ◽

Coral Species ◽

Water Movement ◽

General Pattern ◽

Coral Community ◽

Salinity Range ◽

Acropora Palmata ◽

Deep Reef ◽

Coral Communities

The vertical and horizontal patterns of the distribution of corals and coral reefs (to a depth of 90 m) are discussed in relation to the environmental factors: geomorphology of the bottom, available substrate, light, turbidity, sedimentation, water movement and temperature. There is a general pattern which is comparable to other well-developed Caribbean reefs. However, as in other areas variations are found, e.g. the depth and growth form of Acropora palmata will depend on the degree of exposure to water movement. There are strong correlations between the environmental variables and the occurrence of coral species and their growth form, the species composition of coral communities and the character of the coral reef. In some cases the relationship is not that obvious. The absence of Agaricia species at certain points along the coast of Aruba and the dominance of Sargassum on the deep bottom at some places along the windward coast of Curaçao is not yet explained. The relative importance of the different factors in an environmental setting is shown by a comparison of reef communities and reef habitats with a coral community of a muddy, shallow inland bay. The community of the bay consists, apart from the hardier coral species, of corals which are characteristic of the deep reef: Scolymia lacera, S. cubensis and Helioseris cucullata. These corals are adapted to sedimentation and low light intensities and are apparently able to withstand a temperature and salinity range much broader than that of their deep reef habitat. The paucity of corals and coral reef development around the islands of the Windward Group (deeper habitat included) can generally be explained by the morphology of the sea floor, the lack of suitable substrate and the effect of hurricanes. The exposed coasts of Saba and St. Eustatius, being virtually unexplored, may have richer coral growth. A new list of species of the Scleractinia of the Leeward and Windward groups, consisting of 57 species, is included.

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Microbial dysbiosis reflects disease resistance in diverse coral species

Communications Biology ◽

10.1038/s42003-021-02163-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nicholas J. MacKnight ◽

Kathryn Cobleigh ◽

Danielle Lasseigne ◽

Andia Chaves-Fonnegra ◽

Alexandra Gutting ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disease Susceptibility ◽

Coral Species ◽

Disease Incidence ◽

Disease Outbreaks ◽

Life History Strategies ◽

Microbial Dysbiosis ◽

White Plague ◽

Caribbean Coral ◽

Microbial Responses ◽

Coral Communities

AbstractDisease outbreaks have caused significant declines of keystone coral species. While forecasting disease outbreaks based on environmental factors has progressed, we still lack a comparative understanding of susceptibility among coral species that would help predict disease impacts on coral communities. The present study compared the phenotypic and microbial responses of seven Caribbean coral species with diverse life-history strategies after exposure to white plague disease. Disease incidence and lesion progression rates were evaluated over a seven-day exposure. Coral microbiomes were sampled after lesion appearance or at the end of the experiment if no disease signs appeared. A spectrum of disease susceptibility was observed among the coral species that corresponded to microbial dysbiosis. This dysbiosis promotes greater disease susceptiblity in coral perhaps through different tolerant thresholds for change in the microbiome. The different disease susceptibility can affect coral’s ecological function and ultimately shape reef ecosystems.

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