scholarly journals Status and conservation of coral reefs in Costa Rica

2015 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Cortés ◽  
Carlos E Jiménez ◽  
Ana C Fonseca ◽  
Juan José Alvarado
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Caribbean Coast ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Coral Communities ◽  
Algal Ridge ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
The Government

<span>Costa Rica has coral communities and reefs on the Caribbean coast and on the Pacific along the coast and off-shore islands. The Southern section of the Caribbean coast has fringing and patch reefs, carbonate banks, and an incipient algal ridge. The Pacific coast has coral communities, reefs and isolated coral colonies. Coral reefs have been seriously impacted in the last 30 years, mainly by sediments (Caribbean coast and some Pacific reefs) and by El Niño warming events (both coasts). Monitoring is being carried out at three sites on each coast. Both coasts suffered significant reductions in live coral cover in the 1980’s, but coral cover is now increasing in most sites. The government of Costa Rica is aware of the importance of coral reefs and marine environments in general, and in recent years decrees have been implemented (or are in the process of approval) to protect them, but limited resources endanger their proper management and conservation, including proper outreach to reef users and the general public.</span>

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. 

Distribution, diversity, and conservation of coral reefs and coral communities in the largest marine protected area of Pacific Panama (Coiba Island)

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
HECTOR M. GUZMAN ◽  
CARLOS A. GUEVARA ◽  
ODALISCA BREEDY
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
Marine Protected Area ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Scleractinian Corals ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Marine Habitats ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
Coral Communities

Sampling scale and lack of attention to taxa other than scleractinian corals have limited the capacity to protect coral reefs and coral communities in Pacific Panama. The distribution of coral habitats (live coral cover) and their species richness in the largest marine protected area of Panama, the Coiba National Park (270 125 ha), is described using quadrat transects and manta tows. The species richness of scleractinian corals and octocorals was lower in coral reefs than in coral communities, and a close relationship between richness and live coral cover was observed only in coral communities. The distribution of high live coral cover in coral communities overlapped with areas of high coral species richness. Average live coral cover in communities was 64%, compared to 28% in reefs, whereas algae cover was 30% and 49%, respectively. Twenty-two coral and 34 octocoral species were observed, many only now detected in Panama as endemic or new species. Analysis of satellite imagery showed 80% of terrestrial habitats were mostly primary forest, and coral reefs and coral communities covered 1700 ha, about 2% of marine habitats. Shallow marine environments (< 20 m) had up to 60% calcareous red algae cover (rhodolite beds). Based on the distribution of live coral cover and species richness, three conservation units were identified as priority, with the southern and northernmost sides of the marine protected area as the most significant. These three areas encompass most of the rare and endemic species or populations, as well as species previously regarded as endangered.

scholarly journals CHARACTERIZATION OF THE CORAL COMMUNITIES AND REEFS OF TWO PREVIOUSLY UNDESCRIBED LOCATIONS IN THE UPWELLING REGION OF GULF OF PAPAGAYO (COSTA RICA)

2010 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Jiménez ◽  
Giovanni Bassey ◽  
Álvaro Segura ◽  
Jorge Cortés
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Coral Species ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Water Discharge ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
Coral Communities ◽  
Fresh Water Discharge

In the seasonal upwelling region of Gulf of Papagayo (Northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica), we evaluated and described two previously poorly known coral habitats, Punta Cacique and Bahía Guacamaya. Both localities differed in the extent of the frame-building coral communities and their composition. While Bahía Guacamaya and Punta Cacique had a similar number of coral species (16), live coral cover percent was higher in the coral reefs (ca. 50% vs. 90%) and coral communities (ca. 40% vs. 50%) of the latter. At both localities, branching species (Pocillopora spp.) contributed more as a group to the live coral cover than massive and encrusting corals. Bahía Guacamaya has the largest colonies found so far of two coral species (Pocillopora eydouxi and Pocillopora meandrina) with a limited distribution in Costa Rica. Using long-term records of environmental data, we characterized the seasonality of the upwelling and the dry and rainy seasons that partially explained the low suspension sediment loads and fresh water discharge into Papagayo’s coral habitats. The results of our study are important due to the rapid development of the coastal zone of Papagayo and because only a fraction of the littoral has been systematically surveyed. Therefore, we call for more studies that aim to produce baseline data of coral habitats in the area.En la región de afloramiento estacional del Golfo de Papagayo (Costa Rica), se evaluaron dos ambientes coralinos que nunca antes habían sido estudiados: Punta Cacique y Bahía Guacamaya. En ambas localidades, la extensión y la composición de las comunidades coralinas constructoras de la estructura arrecifal fueron diferentes. En tanto que el número de especies coralinas (16) fue similar en ambas localidades, el porcentaje de cobertura de coral vivo fue mayor en los arrecifes (apróximamente 50% vs. 90%) y las comunidades (aproximadamente 40% vs. 50%) coralinas de Punta Cacique. En ambos sitios, las especies de corales ramificados (Pocillopora spp.) como grupo contribuyeron más a la cobertura de coral vivo que otras formas (masivas e incrustantes).  La Bahía Guacamaya tiene las colonias más grandes encontradas hasta el momento en Costa Rica de dos especies de distribución limitada (Pocillopora eydouxi y Pocillopora meandrina). Se utilizaron series temporales extensas de datos ambientales para caracterizar la estacionalidad del afloramiento y la estación seca y la lluviosa. Estos dos factores explican parcialmente la poca sedimentación y descarga de agua dulce en los ambientes coralinos de Papagayo. Los resultados de nuestro estudio son importantes dado que apenas una pequeña fracción de la costa de Papagayo ha sido estudiada sistemáticamente a pesar del rápido desarrollo costero que ocurre en el área. Por lo tanto, resaltamos la necesidad de realizar más estudios, con el fin de obtener datos de línea base de los ambientes coralinos del área.

scholarly journals Ecosistemas coralinos del Parque Nacional Isla del Coco, Costa Rica: estructura y comparación 1987-2014

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan José Alvarado ◽  
Andrés Beita-Jiménez ◽  
Sebastián Mena ◽  
Cindy Fernández-García ◽  
Ana Gloria Guzman-Mora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Carnivorous Species ◽  
Commercial Value ◽  
Study Sites

<p><strong> </strong>Isla del Coco has one of the most diverse and well-conserved coral reefs in Costa Rica. These reefs have been extensively studied since the 1980’s, however those studies focused mainly on coral coverage. The aim of this study is to evaluate the coral reefs of the island, not only by the coverage of the substrate but also the composition of fish, invertebrates and reef complexity. A total of 17 sites around the island were sampled in July 2013 and in February-March 2014. At each site, we evaluated three depths (4-8 m, 9-12 m and 13-16 m), where three 10m long transects were sampled. Turf algae was the predominant substrate cover with 38.18±5.58 %. The crustose calcareous algae (Order Corallinales) had a 28.12±5.85 % cover and live coral was 18.64±3.55 %, with <em>Porites lobata</em> as the main reef builder. A total of 18 taxa of macroinvertebrates were observed in the study sites, of which 56 % of the species were not abundant, 33 % were common, and the sea urchin <em>Diadema mexicanum</em> was the only dominant species. The density of lobsters of the genus <em>Panulirus</em> was 388±385 ind ha<sup>-1</sup>, which is the highest density reported in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Also we observed high densities of the sea cucumber <em>Isostichopus fuscus</em> (550 ind ha<sup>-1</sup>), which has a high commercial value. We recorded 45 338 fish individuals, distributed in 93 species, with an average of 1.2±8.5 tn ha<sup>-1</sup>. From the total of species, 51 % were uncommon, 31 % common, 11 % predominant and 8 % occasional. The fish community at Isla del Coco is represented by a large number of carnivorous species, followed by top predators, herbivores and planktivorous species. According to the fish categories of the IUCN Red List, 16 % of species are in threatened categories and represent 25 % of the total sampled biomass. When comparing with studies carried out from 1987 to the present, the recovery in coral cover over time is evident, mainly due to: 1) a decrease in the pressure of the bioerosive action of <em>D. mexicanum</em>; and 2) the conservation actions that have been taken on the island. This has been translated in complex and more rugose reefs. Isla del Coco reefs are healthy, with functional and complex food webs; where species of high commercial value have large populations. The effectiveness of conservation and management activities in Isla del Coco has resulted in the recovery of the reef communities.</p>

Two new species of Sarcofahrtiopsis (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 485 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
THOMAS PAPE ◽  
JULIO MÉNDEZ
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Costa Rica ◽  
Key To Species ◽  
Caribbean Coast ◽  
Mangrove Wetlands ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
The Caribbean

Two new species of the genus Sarcofahrtiopsis Hall, 1933 are described: S. kuna sp. nov., which inhabits coastal mangroves along the Caribbean coast of Panama, and S. chiriqui sp. nov., which is found in the Pacific mangrove wetlands of southwestern Panama and in coastal northwestern Costa Rica. Both species have been collected from and breed in semiterrestrial crabs of the genus Cardisoma Latreille (Crustacea: Gecarcinidae). A key to species of Sarcofahrtiopsis is provided.

scholarly journals EVALUATION OF COREMAP PHASE 2 IN THE EASTERN INDONESIA BASED ON THE CHANGES IN CORAL COVERAGE

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
. Giyanto
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Storm Damage ◽  
Eastern Indonesia ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
The Government

COREMAP (Coral Reef Rehabilitation and Management Program) is a long-term program initiated by the Government of Indonesia to enhance the welfare of the coastal communities by protecting, rehabilitating, and achieving sustainable use of the Indonesian coral reefs and their associated ecosystems. COREMAP is three phases planned program. The first phase was launched in 1998 and finished in 2004. Phase 2 began in 2006 and ended in 2011. The last phase has started since the end of 2014 and will finish in 2019. One of the performance indicators of COREMAP phase 2 (COREMAP 2) was a significant improvement of live coral cover in 80% of all sampling sites. The aims of this study are to find out and evaluate the trend of live coral cover during COREMAP 2. Annual monitoring of coral reefs was conducted in all sites of COREMAP 2 in the eastern Indonesia. Those sites were: Pangkep, Selayar, Buton, Wakatobi, Sikka, Biak Numfor and Raja Ampat. Permanent transects were applied at each site. Life-form of benthic data including hard corals was collected using the Line Intercept Transect (LIT) method and surveyed using SCUBA diving equipment. The result indicates that all sites, except Biak Numfor, demonstrate improvement in live coral cover during COREMAP 2. In contrast, live coral cover in Biak Numfor shows a decline due primarily to storm damage, destruction by bombs, some bleaching, and predation by Acanthaster planci. An increase in live coral covers in six out of seven sites during COREMAP 2indicates that the activities of COREMAP 2 (e.g. public awareness, community-based MCS, alternative livelihood) has a positive impact on the management of coral reefs in the Eastern of Indonesia.

scholarly journals Assessing the Resilience Potential of Inshore and Offshore Coral Communities in the Western Gulf of Thailand

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Makamas Sutthacheep ◽  
Charernmee Chamchoy ◽  
Sittiporn Pengsakun ◽  
Wanlaya Klinthong ◽  
Thamasak Yeemin
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Bleaching ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Gulf Of Thailand ◽  
Juvenile Corals ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
Coral Communities ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Offshore Reef

Coral reefs in the Gulf of Thailand have experienced severe coral bleaching events and anthropogenic disturbances during the last two decades. This study assessed the resilience potential of coral communities at Ko Losin offshore reef sites and Mu Ko Chumphon nearshore coral reefs, in the south of Thailand, by conducting field surveys on the live coral cover, hard substratum composition and diversity and density of juvenile corals. Most study sites had higher percentages of live coral cover compared to dead coral cover. Some inshore and offshore reef sites showed low resilience to coral bleaching events. The total densities of juvenile corals at the study sites were in the range of 0.89–3.73 colonies/m2. The density of the juvenile corals at most reef sites was not dependent on the live coral cover of adult colonies in a reef, particularly for the Acropora communities. We suggest that Ko Losin should be established as a marine protected area, and Mu Ko Chumphon National Park should implement its management plans properly to enhance coral recovery and promote marine ecotourism. Other measures, such as shading, should be also applied at some coral reefs during bleaching periods.

scholarly journals Impact of El Niño 2015-2016 on the coral reefs of the Pacific of Costa Rica: the potential role of marine protection

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (S1) ◽  
pp. S271-S282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan José Alvarado ◽  
Celeste Sánchez-Noguera ◽  
Gustavo Arias-Godínez ◽  
Tatiana Araya ◽  
Cindy Fernández-García ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
El Niño ◽  
El Nino ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
El Niño Event ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: El Niño 2015-2016 was considered one of the most severe worldwide, causing the third global event of coral bleaching. Previous high-intensity El Niño events (1982-83 and 1997-98) caused high coral mortalities and deterioration of coral reef structures along the Eastern Tropical Pacific, affecting both ecosystem and associated economical activities. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the most recent El Niño event on coral reefs from Cocos Island and the Pacific coast of southern Costa Rica. Methods: Coral reefs were surveyed before (2013-2014) and after (2016) the disturbance, using underwater visual censuses within belt transects, to quantify the bottom coverage at different depths. Results: In general, average live coral cover decreased 50% after the 2015-2016 El Niño event, with Golfo Dulce being the most affected area with 75% of live coral cover decline. However, in certain localities such as Isla del Coco and Isla del Caño, the effects of El Niño were apparently minimal, since no substantial loss of live coral cover was detected. Differences in the level of deterioration found between coral reefs could be related to several factors, including the age of the protected area, the distance to centers of human population, and the effectiveness in the application of management strategies. Conclusions: The synergistic impact of the 2015-16 El Niño event and other stressors (e.g. illegal fishing and unregulated coastal human development) increased the levels of disturbance on coral reefs, threatening their structure and functioning. It is necessary to strengthen conservation strategies in order to improve the resilience of coral reefs to the impact of natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Concrete actions such as coral reef restoration, marine environmental education, and marine spatial planning must become important tools to maintain the good health of coral reefs and ensure the sustainability of the goods and services provided by these ecosystems.

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