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

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 Porites lobata 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 Diadema mexicanum was the only dominant species. The density of lobsters of the genus Panulirus was 388±385 ind ha-1, which is the highest density reported in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Also we observed high densities of the sea cucumber Isostichopus fuscus (550 ind ha-1), 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-1. 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 D. mexicanum; 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.

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

Revista de Biología Tropical ◽

10.15517/rbt.v66i1.33300 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 66 (1-1) ◽

pp. 280 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

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.

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Status and conservation of coral reefs in Costa Rica

Revista de Biología Tropical ◽

10.15517/rbt.v58i1.20022 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 58 (1) ◽

pp. 33 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

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

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.

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Conservation actions and ecological context: optimizing coral reef local management in the Dominican Republic

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.10925 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. e10925

Author(s):

Camilo Cortés-Useche ◽

Edwin A. Hernández-Delgado ◽

Johanna Calle-Triviño ◽

Rita Sellares Blasco ◽

Victor Galván ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dominican Republic ◽

Coral Reefs ◽

Global Climate Change ◽

Coral Cover ◽

Global Climate ◽

Fish Biomass ◽

Live Coral ◽

Local Management ◽

Conservation Actions ◽

Reef Condition

Over the past few decades, coral reef ecosystems have been lost at accelerated rates as a result of global climate change and local stressors. Local management schemes can help improve the condition of coral reefs by enhancing their ecosystem recovery capacity. Caribbean conservation efforts include mitigation of local anthropogenic stressors, and integrating social participation. Here, we analyzed the case of the Bayahibe reefs in the Southeastern (SE) Dominican Republic to identify conservation actions and illustrate a conceptual example of local seascape management. We assessed reef health indicators from 2011 to 2016. Overall, our results show increases in total fish biomass, in both commercial and herbivorous fishes. Mean live coral cover was 31% and fleshy macroalgae was 23% after multiple disturbances such as Hurricanes Sandy and Isaac (2012), Mathew (2016) and heat stress presented in the study area in 2015. We also described actions taken by stakeholders and government institutions, including the implementation of a policy declaring an area of 869,000 ha as a marine protected area (MPA), enhanced water quality treatment, local restrictions to vessel traffic, enforcement of fishing regulations, and the removal of invasive lionfish (Pterois spp.). In addition, a restoration program for the threatened staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) was established in 2011, and currently has eight coral nurseries and six outplanting sites. Considering the biology and ecology of these reefs, we observed good results for these indicators (live coral cover, fish biomass, and water quality) in contrast with severely degraded Caribbean reefs, suggesting that optimizing local management may be a useful example for improving reef condition. Our results provide an overview of trends in reef condition in the SE Dominican Republic and could support current strategies to better protect reefs in the region. Given that Caribbean coral reefs face extreme challenges from global climate change, management measures may improve reef conditions across the region but stronger policy processes and increased scientific knowledge are needed for the successful management of coral reefs.

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

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering ◽

10.3390/jmse7110408 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (11) ◽

pp. 408 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

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.

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

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202132403007 ◽

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.

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

Bulletin of Marine Science ◽

10.5343/bms.2021.0030 ◽

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.

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

IAMURE International Journal of Ecology and Conservation ◽

10.7718/ijec.v1i1.139 ◽

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

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

10.1101/2020.09.21.306712 ◽

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.

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

Jurnal Kelautan Tropis ◽

10.14710/jkt.v23i3.9171 ◽

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.

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

Jurnal Ilmiah Perikanan dan Kelautan ◽

10.20473/jipk.v12i2.17947 ◽

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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