scholarly journals Filamentous calcareous alga provides a substrate for coral-competitive macroalgae in the degraded lagoon of Dongsha Atoll, Taiwan

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolin Nieder ◽  
Chaolun Allen Chen ◽  
Shao-Lun Liu
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Northern South China Sea ◽  
Patch Reef ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Percent Cover ◽  
Reef Site ◽  
Patch Reefs ◽  
Dongsha Atoll

AbstractBackgroundThe chemically-rich seaweed Galaxaura is not only highly competitive with corals, but also provides substrate for other macroalgae. Its ecology and associated epiphytes remain largely unexplored. To fill this knowledge gap, we herein undertook an ecological assessment to explore the spatial variation, temporal dynamics, and epiphytic macroalgae of G. divaricata on patch reefs in the lagoon of Dongsha Atoll, a shallow coral reef ecosystem in the northern South China Sea, repeatedly impacted by mass coral bleaching events.MethodsTwelve spatially independent patch reefs in the Dongsha lagoon were first surveyed to assess the benthic composition in April 2016, and then revisited to determine G. divaricata percent cover in September 2017, with one additional Galaxaura-dominated reef (site 9). Four surveys over a period of 17 months were carried out on a degraded patch reef (site 7) to assess the temporal variation in G. divaricata cover. Epiphytic macroalgae associated with G. divaricata were quantified and identified through the aid of DNA barcoding.ResultsPatch reefs in the Dongsha lagoon were degraded, exhibiting relatively low live coral cover (5-43%), but high proportions of macroalgae (13-58%) and other substrates (rubble and dead corals; 23-69%). The distribution of G. divaricata was heterogeneous across the lagoon, with highest abundance (16-41%) in the southeast area. Temporal surveys from site 7 and photo-evidence from site 9 suggested that an overgrowth by G. divaricata was still present to a similar extend after 17 months and 3.5 years. Yet, G. divaricata provides a suitable substrate some allelopathic macroalgae (e.g., Lobophora sp.).ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that an allelopathic seaweed, such as G. divaricata, can overgrow degraded coral reefs for extended periods of time. By providing habitat for harmful macroalgae, a prolonged Galaxaura overgrowth could strengthen negative feedback loops on degraded coral reefs, further decreasing their recovery potential.

scholarly journals Struktur Komunitas Ikan Karang dan Tutupan Karang pada Terumbu Buatan Artificial Patch Reef (APR)

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-340
Author(s):  
Munasik Munasik ◽  
Aldion Adin Nugroho ◽  
Retno Hartati ◽  
Agus Sabdono ◽  
Sugiyanto Sugiyanto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Patch Reef ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Artificial Reef ◽  
Reef Fishes ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Natural Coral

Artificial Patch Reef (APR) have been applied as a new method for Biodiversity Conservation Program at Panjang Island, Jepara since 2015. Previous study suggested that design and location of artificial reefs installation affected to abundance of reef fishes, associated with the artificial reef.  This study aims to investigated community structure of reef fishes associated to artificial patch reef comparing to reef fishes in nearby natural reefs. Assessment of coral reef condition on two habitats were conducted on July 2019, after 4 years deployment.  The results show that artificial patch reefs with a percentage of live coral cover are less than half of natural coral reefs, and have succeeded in increasing the abundance of reef fish with nearly the same density and community structure resembling reef fish in natural coral reefs. The similarity in community structure of the two habitats is probably due to the similarity in habitat type and morphology of the hard corals. The results indicate that Artificial Patch Reef (APR) reefs have increased the coral cover of Acropora branching and resulted in increased reef fish abundance which is compatible with reef fish communities associated with natural coral reefs around it. Aplikasi metode baru terumbu buatan Artificial patch Reef (APR) pada Program Konservasi Bioiversitas Pulau Panjang, Jepara telah dilakukan sejak 2015. Hasil studi menunjukkan bahwa pemilihan desain dan lokasi pemasangan terumbu buatan yang tepat akan meningkatkan kelimpahan ikan karang. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui keberhasilan penerapan terumbu buatan APR melalui kelimpahan ikan karang yang berasosiasi pada terumbu buatan dan terumbu karang alami di sekitarnya. Penilaian kondisi terumbu karang tersebut telah dilakukan pada Juli 2019 setelah 4 (empat) tahun pemasangan terumbu buatan. Hasil studi menunjukkan bahwa terumbu buatan dengan persentase tutupan karang hidup lebih kecil, separuhnya dari tutupan pada terumbu karang alami telah berhasil meningkatkan kelimpahan ikan karang dengan densitas hampir sama dan struktur komunitasnya menyerupai ikan karang yang berasosiasi dengan terumbu karang alami. Kesamaan struktur komunitas kedua habitat kemungkinan akibat kesamaan tipe habitat dan morfologi karang keras penyusunya. Hasil ini mengindikasikan bahwa terumbu buatan Artificial patch Reef (APR) telah meningkatkan tutupan karang bercabang Acropora dan berakibat terhadap meningkatnya kelimpahan ikan karang yang sesuai dengan komunitas ikan karang yang berasosiasi dengan terumbu karang alami di sekitarnya.

scholarly journals KONDISI TERUMBU KARANG DI KAWASAN WISATA PULAU BOKORI, KENDARI, PROVINSI SULAWESI TENGGARA

OSEANA ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-29
Author(s):  
Ofri Johan ◽  
Jupri Jupri ◽  
Fella Pritian Cera ◽  
Ahmad Rezza Dzumalex ◽  
Ratna Diyah Palupi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Percent Cover ◽  
City Center ◽  
Tourist Destination ◽  
Dead Coral ◽  
Dominant Type ◽  
Mushroom Coral ◽  
The City

Bokori Island has been a tourist destination managed by the Tourism Office of the Southeast Sulawesi Provincial since 2014. The location is close to the city center, making this island visited by many tourists. In addition to the beauty of the island, it is also necessary to maintain the beauty of coral reefs as objects for underwater recreation. The study was conducted on 24–25 July 2019 at three sites of observation. The research purpose was to determine the condition of coral reefs of the island, which is used as a tourist destination. The result indicates that the condition of coral reefs is categorized good by having coral cover about 50.67%. The dominant coral at the island is the foliose coral (CF) group with percent cover about 22%, followed by coral branching (CB) 10%, Acropora tabulate (ACT) 8.57%, mushroom coral (CMR) 6%, encrusting coral (CE) 2% and massive coral (CM) 1.33%. The dominant type of substrate was dead coral with algae (DCA) about 37.3%, and the damage due to explosion could still be seen in the location. The current condition of coral needs to be maintained and improved supervision so that live coral can improve so that the function to support underwater tourism can be achieved.

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 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.

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

TUTUPAN TERUMBU KARANG KABUPATEN KOTABARU PROVINSI KALIMANTAN SELATAN (STUDI KASUS PERAIRAN SEPAGAR)

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 90
Author(s):  
Deddy Dharmaji
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Patch Reef ◽  
Shallow Waters ◽  
Living Coral ◽  
Dead Coral ◽  
Total Percentage ◽  
Coral Sand ◽  
The Village ◽  
Management And Conservation

This research aims to know the percentage of living coral cover in the village of Sepagar. The benefits of this research are as input for the parties involved in the efforts of the management and conservation of coral reefs in the waters of the village Sepagar. The results of the observation and calculation of the coral reefs is done using the method of Point Intercept Trancek (PIT) shows that the community of coral reefs in the waters of the Sepagar included in the types of coral reefs of the sandbar (patch reef). Generally burnt coral reefs grow and develop in the relatively shallow waters with depths ranging from 1-5 meters. The results showed on the three stations found 7 of the 10 components of the reef that is. Acropora (AC), Non-Acropora (NA), Dead Coral with Algae (DCA), Dead Coral (DC), Soft Coral Sand (SC) (S), and the Rubble (R). Component not found is Fleshy Seawed (FS), Rock (RK) and Silt (SL). At station 1, the total percentage of living coral closure (living cover) by 51.4%, In station 2 of 55,3 % , and in station 3 of 51.3 % .The percentage the coral lived in waters sepagar in good not far different the percentage the coral live in every station.

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 The gut microbiome stability of a butterflyfish is disrupted on severely degraded Caribbean coral reefs

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Friederike Clever ◽  
Jade M. Sourisse ◽  
Richard F. Preziosi ◽  
Jonathan A. Eisen ◽  
E. Catalina Rodriguez Guerra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
Core Microbiome ◽  
Habitat Gradient ◽  
Fermentative Bacteria ◽  
Fish Gut

AbstractEnvironmental degradation has the potential to alter key mutualisms that underline the structure and function of ecological communities. While it is well recognized that the global loss of coral reefs alters fish communities, the effects of habitat degradation on microbial communities associated with fishes remain largely unknown despite their fundamental roles in host nutrition and immunity. Using a gradient of reef degradation, we show that the gut microbiome of a facultative, coral-feeding butterflyfish (Chaetodon capistratus) is significantly more variable among individuals at degraded reefs with very low live coral cover (~0%) than reefs with higher coral cover (~30%), mirroring a known pattern of microbial imbalance observed in immunodeficient humans and other stressed or diseased animals. We demonstrate that fish gut microbiomes on severely degraded reefs have a lower abundance of Endozoicomonas and a higher diversity of anaerobic fermentative bacteria, which suggests a broader and less coral dominated diet. The observed shifts in fish gut bacterial communities across the habitat gradient extend to a small set of potentially beneficial host associated bacteria (i.e., the core microbiome) suggesting essential fish-microbiome interactions are vulnerable to severe coral degradation.

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.

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