Shallow-water hard corals (Hexacorallia: Scleractinia) from Bangka Belitung Islands Waters, Indonesia

Bangka Belitung Islands (Sumatra, Indonesia) has various coastal resources, e.g., coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove forests. However, the coral community has been threatened by anthropogenic activities, i.e., tin mining and illegal tin mining. Threatened species assessment is important for mitigation of coral losses and management. The ojective of the present study was to examine the status of Scleractinian corals in Bangka Belitung Islands, Indonesia. A line intercept transect was performed for the coral reef survey. Live and dead coral cover were recorded in the three locations. Corals species were identified following taxonomic revisions. The results showed that there were 142 species of Scleractinian corals recorded from Bangka Belitung Islands. Of these, 22 species are the new report from the areas of the the eastern part of Belitung Island. Family of Merulinidae, Acroporidae, and Poritidae were predominant group in this region. It is concluded that the condition of the coral reef ecosystem in the Belitung Islands is relatively good, but fair in Gaspar Strait and Bangka Island. Keywords: Coral cover, coral diversity, hard coral, Scleractinia

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Dampak Kegiatan Pariwisata terhadap Status Tutupan Terumbu Karang dan Valuasi Ekonomi di Kepulauan Karimunjawa The Impact of Tourism Activities on The Status of Coral Reef Cover and Economic Valuation in Karimunjawa Island

Management of Aquatic Resources Journal (MAQUARES) ◽

10.14710/marj.v9i1.27762 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 72-80

Author(s):

Ary Hendri Pribadi ◽

Suryanti Suryanti ◽

Churun Ain

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Coral Reefs ◽

Coral Cover ◽

Economic Valuation ◽

Economic Value ◽

Travel Cost ◽

Travel Cost Method ◽

The Status ◽

The Impact ◽

Line Intercept

ABSTRAK Pulau Karimunjawa adalah salah satu objek destinasi wisata keindahan ekosistem terumbu karang. Kunjungan wisatawan di Karimunjawa dapat berdampak pada terumbu karang dan nilai ekonomi pariwisata. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada April-Mei 2019 di Kepulauan Karimunjawa, Kabupaten Jepara. Tujuan dari penelitian ini untuk mengetahui dampak pariwisata terhadap nilai status tutupan terumbu karang dengan menggunakan metode Line Intercept Transect (LIT) di Pulau Tanjung Gelam, Pulau Menjangan Besar dan Pulau Cemara Kecil serta nilai valuasi ekonomi pariwisata dengan menggunakan metode biaya perjalanan atau Travel Cost Method (TCM). Hasil yang didapatkan dari penelitian ini yaitu jumlah kunjungan wisatawan yang datang ke Pulau Karimunjawa meningkat sejak tahun 2016 hingga tahun 2018. Kondisi status tutupan terumbu karang yang diperoleh dalam kondisi baik dengan nilai karang hidup yang didapatkan pada Pulau Tanjung Gelam 61,6%, Pulau Menjangan Besar 70,8% dan Pulau Cemara Kecil 57,3%. Luasan terumbu karang pada tahun 2016 hingga tahun 2018 di Pulau Mejangan Besar dan Cemara Kecil mengalami penurunan. Sedangkan nilai valuasi ekonomi tahun 2016 sejumlah Rp.125.426.860,- 2017 dan 2018 sejumlah Rp.135.437.480,- dan Rp.156.932.039,-. Dampak wisatawan yang berkunjung tahun 2016-2018 pada valuasi ekonominya tiap tahunnya mengalami peningkatan. Hasil nilai valuasi ekonomi yang didapatkan pada penelitian ini,nilai rata-rata TCM pada wilayah Kabupaten Jepara Rp.1.111.023,- dan nilai ekonomi pertahunnya Rp.3.369.031.988,-. Rata-rata biaya perjalanan luar wilayah Kabupaten Jepara Rp.1.146.314,- dan nilai biaya pertahunnya Rp.12.324.171.938,-. Nilai total valuasi ekonomi dari dalam wilayah Kabupaten Jepara dan luar wilayah Kabupaten Jepara yaitu Rp.156.693.203.925,-. ABSTRACT Karimunjawa Island is one of the tourist destinations of the beauty of the coral reef ecosystem. Tourist visits in Karimunjawa can have an impact on coral reefs and the economic value of tourism. This research was conducted in April-May 2019 in the Karimunjawa Islands, Jepara Regency. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of tourism on the status of coral cover status using the Line Intercept Transect (LIT) method on Tanjung Gelam Island, Menjangan Besar Island and Cemara Kecil Island and the economic valuation value of tourism using the travel cost method or the Travel Cost Method ( TCM). The results obtained from this study are the number of tourist arrivals to Karimunjawa Island increased from 2016 to 2018. The status of coral cover status obtained in good condition with the value of live coral obtained on Pulau Tanjung Gelam 61.6%; Pulau Menjangan Besar 70.8% and Pulau Cemara Kecil 57.3%. The extent of coral reefs in 2016 to 2018 on Pulau Mejangan Besar and Pulau Cemara Kecil declined. While the value of economic valuations in 2016 amounted to Idr.125,426,860,- 2017 and 2018 amounted to Idr.135,437,480,- and Idr.156,932,039,-. The impact of tourists visiting 2016-2018 on their economic valuations has increased each year. The results of the economic valuation obtained in this study, the average value of TCM in the Jepara Regency region is Idr.1,111,023, and the annual economic value is Idr.3,369,031,988. The average cost of trips outside the area of Jepara Regency is Idr.1,146,314, and the annual cost is Idr.12,321,171,938. The total value of economic valuations from within the Jepara Regency and outside the Jepara Regency is Idr.156,693,203,925.

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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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Analysis Condition of Coral Reef Covering in Pramuka Island Waters, Seribu Islands using Line Intercept Transect (LIT) Method

Jurnal Riset Biologi dan Aplikasinya ◽

10.26740/jrba.v2n2.p77-81 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 77

Author(s):

Rega Permana ◽

Nora Akbarsyah ◽

Pringgo KDNY Putra ◽

Aulia Andhikawati

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Coral Reefs ◽

Coral Cover ◽

Life Forms ◽

Anthropogenic Factors ◽

Coral Reef Ecosystem ◽

Marine Tourism ◽

Tourist Destinations ◽

Line Intercept ◽

Reef Ecosystem

The coral reef ecosystem is one of the typical tropical ecosystems with high biodiversity which has an important role both biologically, ecologically, physically as well as socially and economically. Several coral reef areas in Indonesia were reported to have suffered damage, not only due to climate change which has an impact on rising sea surface temperatures and ocean acidification but also due to anthropogenic factors and irresponsible management of marine tourism. This study aimed to analyze the condition of coral reefs based on covering in Pramuka Island, which is one of the famous tourist destinations in the Seribu Islands. The study was conducted using Line Intercept Transect (LIT) method at predetermined coordinate points. The results showed that the dominant coral reef life form was Acropora Submassive (ACS), namely 18.9%, and Acropora Branching (ACB) as much as 12.48%. Besides, the types of life forms found were coral foliase (9.42%), Miliepora Coral (9.2%), Coral Massive (4.8%), Acropora Encrustring (4.24%), and so on. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that the condition of coral reefs in Pramuka Island is still relatively good with a total coral cover percentage of 72.38%. Efforts to protect the coral reef ecosystem in this area need to be considered so that its condition can be maintained.

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KOMPOSISI PENYUSUN TERUMBU KARANG TEPI (FRINGING REEF) DI PULAU MANDANGIN KABUPATEN SAMPANG, MADURA The Composition of Fringing Reef Formation in Pulau Mandangin, Sampang Province, Madura

SAINTEK PERIKANAN Indonesian Journal of Fisheries Science and Technology ◽

10.14710/ijfst.11.2.94-98 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 94

Author(s):

Guntur Guntur ◽

Samsul Arifin ◽

Oktiyas Muzaky Luthfi

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Reef Slope ◽

Small Island ◽

Dead Coral ◽

Fringing Reef ◽

Transect Line ◽

Base Substrate ◽

Line Intercept ◽

Substrate Types ◽

Reef Formation

ABSTRAK Terumbu karang tepi di Pulau Mandangin tersusun substrat biotik dan abiotik dengan kedalaman tidak lebih dari 40 m. Pulau Mandangin adalah pulau kecil yang memiliki komposisi substrat dasar seperti terumbu karang dan perairannya yaitu zona leeward dan zona windward. Zona leeward adalah sisi yang membelakangi arah datangnya angin, sedangkan zona windward adalah sisi yang menghadap arah datangnya angin. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui komposisi penyusun terumbu karang tepi (fringing reef) dan mengetahui perbedaan komposisi penyusun terumbu karang tepi (fringing reef) antara zona leeward dan zona windward di Pulau Mandangin. Metode yang digunakan adalah Line Intercept Transect (LIT) secara vertikal, LIT dimulai dari surut terendah sampai daerah reef slope dan dilakukan pencatatan semua jenis substrat yang dibawah garis transek. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan zona fringing reef yang mengelilingi Pulau Mandangin tersusun atas substrat rubble, sand, alga, rock, dead coral, dead coral with algae, sponge, coral massive dan coral submassive. Zona leeward lebih bervariasi dari zona windward dalam susunan fringing reef. Hal ini karena angin yang terjadi di zona windward lebih besar dari zona leeward, sehingga substrat di zona windward hanya rubble dan sand. Kata kunci: Fringing reef, zona windward, zona leeward, substrat, Pulau Mandangin ABSTRACT Fringing reef in Mandangin Island comprises of biotic and abiotic substrates in depth not more than 40 m. Mandangin Island is a small island with base substrate composition mostly involving coral reef. The waters include leeward and windward zones. Leeward zone is paralleling with wind incoming direction, whereas windward zone is facing on wind incoming direction. The objective of research is to understand the composition that constitutes fringing reef and to recognize different constitutive composition of fringing reef at leeward zone and windward zone in Mandangin Island. Method of research is Line Intercept Transect (LIT) that is applied vertically. LIT starts from the lowest ebb toward the reef slope zone, and it involves registering all substrate types below transect line. Result of research indicates that fringing zone surrounding Mandangin Island consists of various substrates such as rubble, sand, alga, rock, dead coral, dead coral with algae, sponge, coral massive and coral sub-massive. Leeward zone is more diversified in fringing reef composition than windward zone. It is evident because wind occurrence at windward zone is higher than at leeward zone, and thus, substrates at windward zone include only rubble and sand. Keywords: Fringing reef, windward zone, leeward zone, substrates, Mandangin Island

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Condition of coral reef in Batee Island waters, Peukan Bada Sub-District, Aceh Besar

DEPIK ◽

10.13170/depik.10.2.19995 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 115-119

Author(s):

Maria Ulfah ◽

Saiful Mahlil ◽

Muhammad Nasir ◽

Sayyid Afdhal El Rahimi ◽

Syahrul Purnawan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Coral Cover ◽

Marine Biota ◽

Live Coral ◽

Small Islands ◽

Live Coral Cover ◽

Coral Reef Ecosystems ◽

The Indian Ocean ◽

Average Condition ◽

Line Intercept

Batee Island is one of the small islands in the Aceh Besar region and is uninhabited and directly faces the Indian Ocean. Batee Island's waters have the potential for marine biota, especially coral reef ecosystems, and other associated biotas. This study aims to determine the percentage and comparison of live coral cover in Batee Island waters and determine the genus' composition in Batee Island waters. This research was conducted in October-November 2016. Collecting coral reef data using the LIT (Line Intercept Transect) method. The results showed that the live coral cover in Batee Island's waters differed between the East and West Batee Islands. The coral reefs' average condition in Batee Island waters at shallow depths (0-5m) is 41.41%, and deep (6-10m) is 36.52%. Overall, the conditions and live coral cover in the waters of Batee Island are classified as moderate. In the waters of Batee Island, there are 31 coral genera. The highest percentage of corals was the genus Acropora (50.02%).Keywords:Batee IslandConditionCoral reefCoral cover

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KONDISI EKOSISTEM TERUMBU KARANG DI PERAIRAN KRUENG RAYA, KABUPATEN ACEH BESAR

JURNAL PERIKANAN TROPIS ◽

10.35308/jpt.v8i1.2557 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 11

Author(s):

Nurul Najmi ◽

M Rizki Fazillah ◽

Muhammad Agustiar

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Coral Cover ◽

Live Coral ◽

Coral Mortality ◽

Coral Reef Ecosystem ◽

Dead Coral ◽

High Increase ◽

Mortality Index ◽

Malacca Strait ◽

Reef Ecosystem

This study aims to analyze the condition of the coral reef ecosystem including the substrate, genus composition, and the level of coral mortality in the waters of the Malacca Strait, Masjid Raya District, Aceh Besar District. The research was conducted from October 2016 to October 2019 in the waters of the Malacca Strait, Masjid Raya District, Aceh Besar District. The research site is divided into three stations consisting of Lhok Mee Station, Ahmad Rhang Manyang and Benteng Inong Balee Station. Data were collected using the Point Intercept Transect method. The results showed that the condition of coral reefs at Lhok Mee Station was in the damaged category with coral cover ranging from 6.56% - 13.44%. Ahmad Rhang Manyang Station is included in the moderate to good category with coral cover ranging from 38.75% - 67.19%. Meanwhile, Benteng Inong Balee Station is included in the medium category with coral cover ranging from 45.94% - 56.88%. The monitoring results found that 30 coral genera with the highest composition of the coral genera came from the Porites genus, while other coral genera were unevenly distributed. The value of the mortality index for Lhok Mee Station shows a high increase in mortality of live coral to dead coral. Meanwhile, Ahmad Rhang Manyang and Benteng Inong Balee stations have low coral mortality index values.

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THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CORAL REEFS CONDITION WITH THE EXISTENCE OF ORNAMENTAL CORALS IN SALEH BAY, WEST NUSA TENGGARA

Jurnal Segara ◽

10.15578/segara.v15i2.6592 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Ofri Johan ◽

Yulius Yulius ◽

Hadiwijaya Lesmana Salim ◽

Idil Ardi ◽

Muhammad Abrar

Keyword(s):

Coral Reefs ◽

Condition Monitoring ◽

Coral Cover ◽

Good Condition ◽

Dead Coral ◽

Exact Location ◽

Belt Transect ◽

The Relationship ◽

Line Intercept

The ornamental corals as trade target are imported from West Nusa Tenggara. This province is a collection zone for ornamental corals, but rarely conduct coral condition monitoring and also observation of the existence of ornamental corals. The purpose of this study was to get data of ornamental corals existence and coral reefs conditions in Saleh Bay. Research was conducted on May 6–11, 2015 at 6 locations based on the distance from the mainland with the representation of two representative spots on each location, such as in-shore, mid-shore and off-shore. The research used line intercept transect method to obtain coral reefs condition data and the belt transect method to obtain the ornamental corals data. The results obtained were as follows: coral reefs condition were in good condition with the life coral cover was above 50%, except at station 4 (mid-shore). Acropora colonies were more common in off-shore locations (station 5 and 6). The substrate was dominated by rubble and dead coral with algae (DCA). The trade-targeted ornamental corals were found in 28 genera, such as Euphyllia glabrescens, Euphyllia cristata, Euphyllia ancora, Echinophora sp., Goniopora sp., Lobophyllia sp., Physogyra sp., Merulina sp. and Turbinaria sp. Because of the low existence of ornamental corals at observation sites, collaborative observation with ornamental corals collectors should be conducted for determining the exact location of ornamental corals collecting zones.

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STATUS KEBERLANJUTANPENGELOLAAN TERUMBU KARANG DI PULAU HOGOW DAN PUTUS-PUTUS SULAWESI UTARA

JURNAL PERIKANAN DAN KELAUTAN TROPIS ◽

10.35800/jpkt.7.3.2011.188 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 115

Author(s):

Unstain NWJ Rembet ◽

Mennofatria Boer ◽

Dietriech G Bengen ◽

Achmad Fahrudin

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Coral Reefs ◽

Sustainable Management ◽

Coral Cover ◽

Social Dimension ◽

Sustainability Management ◽

North Sulawesi ◽

The Status ◽

Coral Reef Ecosystems ◽

Institutional Dimension

ABSTRACTA study aimed to examine the status of sustainable management of coral reef in Pulau Hogow and Pulau Putus-Putus in Southeast Minahasa regency, North Sulawesi Province, was conducted in from July to September 2011. Diagnosis on the status of sustainable management of coral reef was presented in a sequence covering the ecological, economic, social, institutional and technological dimensions. In ecological dimension, the attribute of percentage of coral cover provided the largest contribution. In economical dimension, the largest contribution was provided by tourism guide, time used for coral reefs exploitation, dependency on the resource as a source of income and foreign tourists attributes. In social dimension, similar indications shown by the attributes of the number of locations which were potential for exploitation conflicts, level of education and efforts to repair the damage of coral reef ecosystems. On the institutional dimension, the contributions made by all attributes were almost even, with the highest is the tradition/culture and cooperation attributes. Similarly, in the technological dimension the contributions made attributes were almost even, with the highest contributions were from boat technology and technology post-harvest technology attributes. For overall dimensions of sustainability management of coral reefs, a map created in RAPFISH ordinate showed recommendation on the status of the sustainability.Keywords: sustainability, management, coral reef, dimension.ABSTRAKPenelitian ini bertujuan untuk menelaah status keberlanjutan pengelolaan te-rumbu karang di Pulau Hogow dan Putus-Putus Kabupaten Minahasa Tenggara Provinsi Sulawesi Utara, dilakukan pada bulan Juli-September 2011. Diagnosis status keberlanjutan pengelolaan terumbu karang dikemukakan secara berurutan mencakup dimensi ekologi, dimensi ekonomi, dimensi sosial, dimensi kelembagaan dan dimensi teknologi. Dalam dimensi ekologi atribut persentase penutupan karang memberikan kontribusi terbesar. Untuk dimensi ekonomi kontribusi terbesar diberikan atribut pe-mandu wisata, waktu yang digunakan untuk pemanfaatan terumbu karang, ketergan-tungan kepada sumberdaya sebagai sumber nafkah dan wisatawan mancanegara. Di-mensi sosial indikasi serupa ditunjukkan oleh atribut-atribut jumlah lokasi potensi kon-flik pemanfaatan, tingkat pendidikan dan upaya perbaikan kerusakan ekosistem terum-bu karang. Pada dimensi kelembagaan kontribusi yang diberikan atribut-atribut merata, tetapi yang tertinggi adalah tradisi/budaya dan koperasi. Demikian juga pada dimensi teknologi, kontribusi yang diberikan atribut-atribut merata, dengan kontribusi tertinggi adalah atribut teknologi perahu dan teknologi pasca panen. Untuk semua dimensi keberlanjutan pengelolaan terumbu karang, hasil pemetaan yang dilakukan dalam ordinasi RAPFISH menunjukkan status keberlanjutan yang baik untuk dilakukan.Kata kunci: keberlanjutan, pengelolaan, terumbu karang, dimensi.

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Impacts of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) on Coral Community Structure at an Inshore Patch Reef of the Upper Florida Keys Using Photomosaics

Frontiers in Marine Science ◽

10.3389/fmars.2021.682163 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Graham Kolodziej ◽

Michael S. Studivan ◽

Arthur C. R. Gleason ◽

Chris Langdon ◽

Ian C. Enochs ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Community Structure ◽

Coral Reef ◽

Coral Cover ◽

Florida Keys ◽

Coral Community ◽

Tissue Loss ◽

Coral Tissue ◽

Coral Mortality ◽

Stony Coral ◽

Reef Tract

Since the appearance of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) on reefs off Miami in 2014, this unprecedented outbreak has spread across the entirety of Florida’s coral reef tract, as well as to many territories throughout the Caribbean. The endemic zone reached the upper Florida Keys by 2016, resulting in partial or complete mortality of coral colonies across numerous species. Disease was first observed at Cheeca Rocks (Islamorada, Florida) in the beginning of 2018, with reports of coral mortality peaking mid-year. The disease was still present at Cheeca Rocks as of March 2020, however, to a lesser degree compared to the initial outbreak. Annual monitoring efforts have been ongoing at Cheeca Rocks since 2012, including repeated benthic photomosaics of a 330 m2 survey zone, spanning six replicate sites. As such, a repository of coral community composition data exists for before and after the disease outbreak that was analyzed to assess the impacts of SCTLD on reef communities at an upper Florida Keys inshore reef. Cheeca Rocks is hypothesized to be a resilient reef due to its persistent high coral cover despite its inshore location, which subjects corals to fluctuating water quality and marginal environmental conditions. Coral populations here have been shown to recover from bleaching events and heat stress with minimal coral mortality. Though colonies of coral species characterized as highly and moderately susceptible to SCTLD (e.g., Colpophyllia natans, Diploria labyrinthiformis, Pseudodiploria strigosa, Orbicella annularis, and O. faveolata) suffered mortality as a result of the outbreak with an average loss of 16.42% relative cover by species, the overall impacts on coral cover and community structure were relatively low, contributing to a loss of total coral cover of only 1.65%. Comparison of photomosaic data to other studies indicate Cheeca Rocks may not have been affected as severely as other sites on Florida’s coral reef tract, underlying this site’s potential role in coral resilience to stressors including bleaching events, land-based pollution, and disease epizootics.

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Which Method for Which Purpose? A Comparison of Line Intercept Transect and Underwater Photogrammetry Methods for Coral Reef Surveys

Frontiers in Marine Science ◽

10.3389/fmars.2021.636902 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Isabel Urbina-Barreto ◽

Rémi Garnier ◽

Simon Elise ◽

Romain Pinel ◽

Pascal Dumas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Coral Cover ◽

Structural Complexity ◽

Ecological Monitoring ◽

Monitoring Methods ◽

Outer Reef ◽

Scientific Outputs ◽

Time Required ◽

Line Intercept

The choice of ecological monitoring methods and descriptors determines the effectiveness of a program designed to assess the state of coral reef ecosystems. Here, we comparer the relative performance of the traditional Line Intercept Transect (LIT) method with three methods derived from underwater photogrammetry: LIT on orthomosaics, photoquadrats from orthomosaics, and surface analyses on orthomosaics. The data were acquired at Reunion Island on five outer reef slopes and two coral communities on underwater lava-flows. Coral cover was estimated in situ using the LIT method and with LITs and photoquadrats digitized on orthomosaic. Surface analyses were done on the same orthomosaics. Structural complexity of the surveyed sites was calculated from digital elevation models using three physical descriptors (fractal dimension, slope, surface complexity), and used to explore their possible influence in coral cover estimates. We also compared the methods in terms of scientific outputs, the human expertise and time required. Coral cover estimates obtained with in situ LITs were higher than those obtained with digitized LITs and photoquadrats. Surfaces analyses on orthomosaics yielded the lowest but most the precise cover estimates (i.e., lowest sample dispersion). Sites with the highest coral cover also had the highest structural complexity. Finally, when we added scientific outputs, and requirements for human expertise and time to our comparisons between methods, we found that surface analysis on the orthomosaics was the most efficient method. Photoquadrats were more time-consuming than both in situ and digitized LITs, even though they provided coral cover estimates similar to those of digitized LITs and yielded more than one descriptor. The LIT in situ method remains the least time-consuming and most effective for species-level taxonomic identifications but is the most limited method in terms of data outputs and representativeness of the ecosystem.

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