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.

scholarly journals Dampak Snorkeling Terhadap Persen Tutupan Terumbu Karang Di Pulau Gili Labak Sumenep Madura

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-161
Author(s):  
Insafitri Insafitri ◽  
Eka Nurahemma Ning Asih ◽  
Wahyu Andy Nugraha
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Species ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Observation Time ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Marine Tourism ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystems ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
The Impact

Wisata snorkeling terumbu karang di perairan pulau Gili Labak merupakan salah satu sektor wisata bahari yang sedang dikembangkan oleh pemerintah kebupaten Sumenep Madura sejak tahun 2014 hingga saat ini. Peningkatan jumlah wisatawan yang terjadi pada beberapa tahun terakhir dapat menimbulkan resiko tekanan dan kerusakan ekosistem terumbu karang di area snorkeling secara berkala. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dampak kegiatan wisatawan sebelum, selama dan sesudah snorkeling terhadap ekosistem terumbu karang yang dikaji dengan mengetahui jenis karang yang mendominasi, status persentase tutupan terumbu karang serta potensi Dampak Wisata Bahari (DWB) snorkeling di lokasi wisata snorkeling pulau Gili Labak Sumenep. Persentase penutupan lifeform karang pulau Gili Labak khususnya di area snorkelling didominasi oleh karang hidup sebanyak 74% dan unsur abiotik sebesar 22%. Jenis karang yang mendominasi pulau Gili Labak adalah Acropora Branching sebesar 19,88% dan Coral Foliose sebesar 10,25%. Selama waktu 6 minggu pengamatan terjadi penurunan total karang sebesar 0,64% yang termasuk kategori rusak ringan, dimana sebagian besar kerusakan terjadi pada karang dengan bentuk pertumbahan branching misalnya Acropora Submassive dan Coral Submassive. Penurunan persen tutupan karang yang tinggi terjadi setelah kegiatan snorkeling (after) yang dilakukan oleh wisatawan. Analisa potensi Dampak Wisata Bahari (DWB) snorkeling pada terumbu karang di perairan Gili Labak selama 6 minggu pengamatan masuk dalam kategori rendah yaitu berkisar 0,052% hingga 0,085%. Faktor penyebab kecilnya nilai presentase Dampak Wisata Bahari (DWB) ini diduga karena waktu pengamatan cenderung pendek dan jenis karang yang mendominasi yaitu Acropora. Acropora memiliki kemampuan regenerasi lebih cepat dibandingkan jenis lainnya.  The snorkeling activity around coral reefs in the waters of Gili Labak is one of the marine tourism sectors that is being developed by the Sumenep Madura district government since 2014. Increasing number of tourists that occurs in recent years pose a risk of pressure and damage to coral reef ecosystems in the snorkeling area. This study aims to determine the impact of tourist activities before, during and after snorkeling on coral reef ecosystems that are studied by knowing the type of dominated coral, the percentage status of coral cover and the potential Impact of snorkeling at the snorkeling sites of the island of Gili Labak Sumenep. The percentage of coral cover in the island of Gili Labak especially in the snorkelling area is dominated by live coral ( 74%) and abiotic elements by 22%. Coral species that dominate the island of Gili Labak are Acropora Branching at 19.88% and Coral Foliose at 10.25%. During the 6-week observation there was a decrease in live coral cover by 0.64% which was categorized as minor damage, most of the damage occurred to branching   Acropora, sub-massive Acropora and Coral Sub-massive. The high percent decrease in coral cover occurred after snorkeling conducted by tourists. Analysis of the potential impact of snorkeling on coral reefs in the waters of Gili Labak for 6 weeks of observation is in the low category, ranging from 0.052% to 0.085%. The factor causing the small impact of Marine Tourism is presumably because the observation time tends to be short and the dominant coral species is Acropora. Acropora has the ability to regenerate faster than other types.

scholarly journals STUDI EKOLOGI OSEANOGRAFI TELUK MANADO UNTUK PENENTUAN STRUKTUR ARTIFICIAL CORAL GARDEN DAN AREA MANGROVE SEBAGAI DESTINASI WISATA BARU

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 286
Author(s):  
Oktavianus Lintong ◽  
Dannie R S Oroh ◽  
Easter Ch. M. Tulung
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Hard Coral ◽  
Tourist Destination ◽  
Mangrove Ecosystems ◽  
Gas Station ◽  
Index Value ◽  
Oceanographic Conditions

The purpose of this study is to investigate the ecological conditions of mangrove ecosystems in the Manado Bay and analyze the suitability of the mangrove ecosystems as a new tourist destination, examine the oceanographic conditions in the Manado Bay area, study the data on the development of coral reef ecosystems to be able to produce artificial coral reefs and produce mangrove areas and coral reefs artificial as a new tourist destination. This research was conducted in April - September 2019 with the location of Manado Bay and the location of the Manado Bay coral reef ecosystem survey set at 3 sample points, equipped with 3 points in front of the BOBOCA Malalayang monument, in front of the Malalayang gas station and ANTRA Sario. Retrieval of coral reef data is by using the Line Intercept Transect (LIT) method. LIT observations were carried out with SCUBA diving at a depth of 6m. Observations were made by recording coral lifeforms found along the transect line, and calculating the percentage of the selection. The data taken is the percentage of dead coral cover, live coral, and type of life form, diversity index taken at 3 sample points. From field observations found on Site 2 (Front of Malalayang gas station) the condition of coral reefs is included in the good category, with the percentage of live coral cover (Hard Coral) of 55%. At this station found various types of coral growth, but the highest at this station is a form of growth of Coral Masive (CM) of 19.2%, while the least found were corals in the form of Coral Mushrooms (Mushroom Coral) with a percentage of 0.4 %. Then Site 3, namely in ANTRA Sario obtained from coral reefs is included in the bad category, with the percentage of live coral cover (Hard Coral) only 7.1%. Coral Diversity in the three survey stations is different. Of the three stations determined above the Tugu Boboca Malalayang site with an index value of 2.54, followed at site 2 namely the Malalayang gas station with an index value of 2.36 and the lowest at site 3 at ANTRA Sario with an index value of 1.33. Furthermore, oceanographic conditions in the Gulf of Manado region are seen in the receding period, most of the air moves westward at the beginning of the period, then moves northeastward in the next period. While in the tide period the water moves northward, starting the period and then it is seen moving northeast and at the end of the period, the east direction.Key words : Coral reef, Oceanographic condition

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.

scholarly journals Kondisi Terkini Presentase Tutupan Terumbu Pada Masa Pandemi Covid-19 di Gili Air, Taman Wisata Perairan Gili Matra, Nusa Tenggara Barat

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-247
Author(s):  
Nurliah Buhari ◽  
Mahardika Rizqi Himawan ◽  
Edwin Jefri ◽  
Paryono Paryono ◽  
Ibadur Rahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Conservation Areas ◽  
Core Zone ◽  
Biological Targets ◽  
The Core ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystems

Gili Matra Aquatic Tourism Park has two conservation targets, namely biological targets and social, cultural and economic targets. Coral reef ecosystems, apart from being a conservation target, are also an attraction for tourists to visit. This research was conducted to determine the condition of the coral reef ecosystem to be used as the basis for the management of conservation areas. The research was conducted by collecting coral reef data either through surveys or secondary data from the results of previous studies. Coral reef survey using the standard Line Intercept Transect method. The survey results show that the condition of coral reefs in the utilization zone is better than the core zone. Live coral cover in the utilization zone reached 71% so it was categorized as good, while in the core zone it only reached 8% so it was categorized as bad. Coral reefs in the core zone are unable to recover even though the number of tourists has decreased during the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, the location of the core zone on Gili Air needs to be evaluated further so that the effectiveness of Gili Matra TWP management can be improved.  Key words: coral reefs; Gili Matra; Conservation

scholarly journals HUBUNGAN PERSENTASE TUTUPAN KARANG DENGAN KELIMPAHAN IKAN KARANG DI PULAU MENJANGAN KECIL, KEPULAUAN KARIMUNJAWA, KABUPATEN JEPARA,JAWA TENGAH (Relationship of Coral Cover Percentage with Reef Fishes Abundance in Menjangan Kecil Island, Karimunjawa Island, Jepara)

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 333-338
Author(s):  
Fahmi Fahmi ◽  
Supriharyono Supriharyono ◽  
Abdul Ghofar
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Reef Fishes ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
East Side ◽  
Visual Census ◽  
West Side

Ekosistem terumbu karang merupakan kekayaan sumberdaya laut yang memiliki peranan penting dalam mendukung kehidupan berbagai organisme perairan. Salah satu organisme yang memiliki ketergantungan hidup pada terumbu karang adalah ikan karang. Hal ini dikarenakan ikan karang melalui fase hidup sebagian atau seluruhnya di terumbu karang, sehingga terumbu karang menjadi tempat tinggal, tempat mencari makan, tempat berlindung dan tempat berkembang biak.  Penelitian dilaksanakan pada bulan Mei 2017, dengan tujuan untuk mengetahui persentase tutupan karang hidup dan kelimpahan ikan. Serta hubungan persentase tutupan karang dengan kelimpahan ikan karang pada sisi Barat dan Timur Pulau Menjangan Kecil kedalaman 1 dan 3 meter. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode observasi lapangan, dengan metode sampling menggunakan transek garis (line transect) pada data karang dan visual census untuk data ikan sepanjang 25m. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa Persentase rata-rata tutupan karang yang diperoleh pada kedalaman 1 meter sisi Barat adalah 73,39%, sedangkan pada kedalaman 3 meter adalah 85,97%. Persentase tutupan karang pada kedalaman 1 meter sisi Timur adalah 63,73%, sedangkan pada kedalaman 3 meter adalah 77,61%. Secara keseluruhan kondisi terumbu karang masih tergolong baik. Kelimpahan rata-rata ikan pada sisi Barat kedalaman 1 meter adalah 70 individu/125 m2, sedangkan pada kedalaman 3 meter adalah 232 individu/125 m2. Kelimpahan ikan sisi Timur kedalaman 1 dan 3 meter masing-masing adalah 49 dan 138 individu/125 m2. Hasil perhitungan indeks korelasi secara keseluruhan menghasilkan nilai 0,8415 dengan koefesien determinasi sebesar 0,7081. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa pola hubungan persentase tutupan karang dengan kelimpahan ikan karang kuat (signifikan) dan positif (searah). Coral reef ecosystem is a wealth of marine resources that have an important role in supporting the life of various aquatic organisms. One of the organisms that has a living dependence on coral reefs is reef fish. This is because coral fish through a partial or complete life phase on the coral reef, so that coral reefs become a place to live, a place to find food, shelter and breeding ground. The study was conducted in May 2017, with the objective of knowing the percentage of live coral cover and fish abundance. And the correlation of percentage of coral cover with abundance of reef fish on West and East side of Menjangan Kecil Island depth of 1 and 3 meters. The method used is field observation method, with sampling method using line transect on coral data and visual census for fish data along 25m. The results of this study indicate that the average percentage of coral cover obtained at a depth of 1 meter west side is 73.39%, while at a depth of 3 meters is 85.97%. The percentage of coral cover at depth of 1 meter East side is 63,73%, while at depth 3 meter is 77,61%. Overall the condition of coral reefs is still quite good. The average abundance of fish on the west side of 1 meter depth is 70 individuals / 125 m2, while at 3 meters depth is 232 individuals / 125 m2. The abundance of fish on Eastern side, depth of 1 and 3 meters respectively were 49 and 138 individu / 125 m2. Result of calculation of correlation index as a whole yield value 0,8415 with coefficient of determination equal to 0,7081. This shows that the pattern of correlation of percentage of coral cover with abundance of reef fish is strong (significant) and positive (unidirectional).

scholarly journals KONDISI TERUMBU KARANG PADA KAWASAN WISATA PANTAI MALALAYANG KOTA MANADO PROVINSI SULAWESI UTARA DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN METODE UNDERWATER PHOTO TRANSECT

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 44
Author(s):  
Devidson Daud ◽  
Joshian N. W. Schaduw ◽  
Chatrien Luzianna Sinjal ◽  
Janny D Kusen ◽  
Erli Y Kaligis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Computer Software ◽  
Digital Camera ◽  
Hard Coral ◽  
Software Technology ◽  
Technological Developments ◽  
Moderate Condition ◽  
Hard Coral Cover

Coral reefs are coastal ecosystems with the highest level of diversity with around one million species worldwide. Corals are invertebrates belonging to the Phylum Coelenterate (hollow animals) or Cnidaria. The Underwater Photo Transect (UPT) method is a method that utilizes technological developments, both digital camera technology and computer software technology. Capturing data in the field in the form of underwater photos carried out by shooting using a Canon G-16 camera equipped with a waterproof protector (housing). In this study it can be seen that the percentage of hard corals at point 1 is in the medium category, point 2 is in the medium category, and point 3 is in the bad category with the percentage of hard coral cover as follows: point 1 (one) 29.75%, point 2 (two) 31.16%, and point 3 (three) 24.26%, of the three points can represent the overall condition of the coral reefs in Malalayang Beach which is in moderate condition with a percentage of 28.39%.Keywords: Malalayang Beach, Coral Reef, UPT, CPCe

scholarly journals The Status of the Coral Reefs of the Jaffna Peninsula (Northern Sri Lanka), with 36 Coral Species New to Sri Lanka Confirmed by DNA Bar-Coding

Oceans ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 509-529
Author(s):  
Ashani Arulananthan ◽  
Venura Herath ◽  
Sivashanthini Kuganathan ◽  
Anura Upasanta ◽  
Akila Harishchandra
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Species ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Northern Coast ◽  
Acropora Digitifera ◽  
The Status

Sri Lanka, an island nation located off the southeast coast of the Indian sub-continent, has an unappreciated diversity of corals and other reef organisms. In particular, knowledge of the status of coral reefs in its northern region has been limited due to 30 years of civil war. From March 2017 to August 2018, we carried out baseline surveys at selected sites on the northern coastline of the Jaffna Peninsula and around the four largest islands in Palk Bay. The mean percentage cover of live coral was 49 ± 7.25% along the northern coast and 27 ± 5.3% on the islands. Bleaching events and intense fishing activities have most likely resulted in the occurrence of dead corals at most sites (coral mortality index > 0.33). However, all sites were characterised by high values of diversity (H’ ≥ 2.3) and evenness (E ≥ 0.8). The diversity index increased significantly with increasing coral cover on the northern coast but showed the opposite trend on the island sites. One hundred and thirteen species of scleractinian corals, representing 16 families and 39 genera, were recorded, as well as seven soft coral genera. Thirty-six of the scleractinian coral species were identified for the first time on the island of Sri Lanka. DNA barcoding using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (COI) was employed to secure genetic confirmation of a few difficult-to-distinguish new records: Acropora aspera, Acropora digitifera, Acropora gemmifera, Montipora flabellata, and Echinopora gemmacea.

scholarly journals The change of coral cover in Ujong Pancu waters, Peukan Bada Sub-District, Aceh Besar

2021 ◽  
Vol 869 (1) ◽  
pp. 012051
Author(s):  
M Ulfah ◽  
M Muliari ◽  
F Azzahara ◽  
N M Razi ◽  
M R Fazillah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Hard Coral ◽  
Ecological Functions ◽  
Coral Genus ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystems ◽  
Hard Coral Cover

Abstract Coral reef ecosystems are one of the most productive ecosystems on the earth, with large ecological functions. The disruption of coral reef ecosystems has a significant impact on the surrounding biota. This study aims to determine the condition of coral reefs for the last three years in Ujong Pancu waters, Peukan Bada sub-district, Aceh Besar district. This study uses data in 2017, 2018, and 2019 with three observation locations: Lhok Keeutapang, Lhok Mata Ie, and Tuan Island. The method used is Point Intercept Transect (PIT) with a transect length of 20 m with four repetitions. The results showed that the percentage of hard coral cover in the Ujong Pancu waters decreased from the good category (50.31%) in 2017 to moderate (47.81%) in 2019. The percentage with the highest coral cover was at the Lhok Keutapang location at 72, 81% in 2018, while the lowest coral cover at the Tuan Island location was 15.94% in 2017. The composition of the coral genus found also decreased from 12 coral genera (2017) to 9 coral genera (2019).

MONITORING CORAL RECOVERY AT NEARSHORE CORAL REEFS IN PHANGNGA PROVINCE, THE ANDAMAN SEA FOLLOWING THE 2010 CORAL BLEACHING EVENT

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Makamas Sutthacheep ◽  
Makamas Sutthacheep ◽  
Thamasak Yeemin ◽  
Thamasak Yeemin ◽  
Sittiporn Pengsakun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Bleaching ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Andaman Sea ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Bleaching Event ◽  
Sea Star ◽  
Coral Recovery

Mass bleaching and subsequent mortality of scleractinian corals in response to elevated seawater temperatures has been considered as one of the most impacts of global climate change. Three extensive coral bleaching events in the Andaman Sea were reported, in the years 1991, 1995 and 2010. Studies on survival of coral colonies, coral recruitment and community structure of coral reef associated macrofauna would predict the trends for coral recovery from the impacts of coral bleaching events. The present study aimed to examine the status of coral communities, density of coral recruits and coral reef associated macrofauna at nearshore coral reefs in Phangnga Province, the Andaman Sea following the 2010 coral bleaching event. The dead coral cover was high (>50%) while the live coral cover was in the range of 13-21%. There was high diversity of coral recruits on natural substrates. The average densities of macrobenthic fauna varied from 1.9 to 2.6 individuals.m-2, with significant differences among study sites. The dominant macrobenthic species were a soft coral (Lobophytum sp.), a sea star (Linckia laevigata) and a sea urchin (Echinostrephus molaris). Coral recovery at these coral reefs would be possible but local anthropogenic stressors must be overwhelmingly reduced in order to enhance coral reef resilience. The long-term monitoring programs in the Andaman Sea are required for decision makers to support their adaptive management approaches.

scholarly journals Microhabitats of sharknose goby (Elacatinus evelynae) cleaning stations and their links with cleaning behaviour

Coral Reefs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn E. Whittey ◽  
Katie Dunkley ◽  
Grace C. Young ◽  
Jo Cable ◽  
Sarah E. Perkins
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Structural Complexity ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Cleaner Fish ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Anthropogenic Threats ◽  
Cleaning Stations

AbstractCoral reefs are renowned for the complexity of their habitat structures and their resulting ability to host more species per unit area than any another marine ecosystem. Dedicated cleaner fish, which acquire all their food resources through client interactions, rely on both the habitat structures (by using topological cleaning stations) and the wide diversity of fish species available on coral reefs, to function. As a result of natural and anthropogenic threats, coral reef habitat structures and their complexity are being lost—despite this threat it is unclear how important reef geometry is to key ecological interactions, like cleaning. Using an established Caribbean reef study site, three-dimensional constructions of discrete coral heads were used to investigate how fine-scale structural complexity traits (structural complexity—measured by rugosity and vector dispersion—height, volume, surface area, percentage live coral cover and refuge availability) relate to cleaner occupancy, abundance and their cleaning interactions with clients. Coral height was a particularly important trait for cleaning, correlating with both the occurrence of cleaning stations on a reef, and with increased cleaning durations and reduced cleaning frequencies/rates. Cleaning stations were also more structurally complex than non-cleaning coral heads, and the increased availability of uneven surfaces (creating cracks and crevices) and refuge availability linked with increased cleaning durations/rates. By understanding habitat features important to cleaner fish on a typical Caribbean fringing reef, we can gain a better understanding of how important reef geometry might be for governing the occurrence and dynamics of such mutualisms.

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