Puerto Morelos Coral Reefs, Their Current State and Classification by a Scoring System

Marine protected areas have been established as essential components for managing and protecting coral reefs to mitigate natural and anthropogenic stressors. One noteworthy example within the Mexican Caribbean is the Arrecife de Puerto Morelos National Park (APMNP), where several studies on the coral communities have been carried out since 2006. In June 2019, we conducted a study in eight sites of the APMNP applying a coral reef assessment method based on biological indicators of both the benthos and the fish communities. In this paper, we present the quantitative results of our study and provide a qualitative criterion assessing seven condition indexes through a scoring system. We also present a statistical comparison with a previous study carried out in 2016. The general status of coral reefs was classified as regular due to the low values of coral recruitment rate and biomass of key commercial fish species. However, living coral cover average was above 20%, with a slight dominance of framework building coral species and the presence of low values of fleshy algae cover, these being positive indicators. Our study found a higher proportion of reef promoter elements and a lower proportion of detractors, compared to a previous study carried out in 2016.

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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 coral communities of Yongle atoll: status, threats and conservation significance for coral reefs in South China Sea

Marine and Freshwater Research ◽

10.1071/mf15110 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 67 (12) ◽

pp. 1888 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Meixia Zhao ◽

Kefu Yu ◽

Qi Shi ◽

Hongqiang Yang ◽

Bernhard Riegl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South China Sea ◽

Coral Reefs ◽

South China ◽

Reef Flat ◽

Coral Cover ◽

Reef Slope ◽

Xisha Islands ◽

China Sea ◽

Marine Habitats ◽

Coral Communities

Xisha Islands are in the central South China Sea and form one of the four large island groups in this region. They include more than 40 islands, reefs and cays, and have considerable ecological and biodiversity value, both intrinsically and as a source of larvae for coastal ecosystems throughout the South China Sea. Yongle atoll is the biggest and one of the most important atolls in the Xisha Islands. The detailed surveys of the marine habitats in the Yongle atoll were conducted from June to July 2013. This baseline survey revealed coral communities in a relatively healthy condition. Mean coral cover of different geomorphic habitats varied from 2 to 29%. Branching corals were most important, followed by encrusting and massive growth forms (48, 29 and 17% of coral cover). Pocillopora (29% of total cover in line transects), Porites (19%), Acropora (17%) and Montipora (16%) were the four dominant genera. Communities differentiated into four clusters, namely, lower reef slope, upper reef slope, outer reef flat, and inner reef flat and lagoon slope. This baseline investigation highlighted the ecological value of these reefs. Destructive fishing and overfishing are presently the most serious threats for these coral reefs. They should receive much more scientific and conservation attention.

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

Environmental Conservation ◽

10.1017/s0376892904001250 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 111-121 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

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.

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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

<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>

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Comparison of Standard Caribbean Coral Reef Monitoring Protocols and Underwater Digital Photogrammetry to Characterize Hard Coral Species Composition, Abundance and Cover

Frontiers in Marine Science ◽

10.3389/fmars.2021.722569 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Erick Barrera-Falcon ◽

Rodolfo Rioja-Nieto ◽

Roberto C. Hernández-Landa ◽

Edgar Torres-Irineo

Keyword(s):

Coral Reefs ◽

New Technologies ◽

Coral Cover ◽

Coral Community ◽

Caribbean Region ◽

Digital Photogrammetry ◽

Hard Coral ◽

Coral Communities ◽

Caribbean Coral Reef ◽

Monitoring Protocols

The precise assessing and monitoring of coral reefs are necessary to address and understand the threats and changes in coral communities. With the development of new technologies and algorithms for image processing, new protocols like underwater photogrammetry are implemented to study these ecosystems. This study compares the main ecological metrics for reef condition assessment, obtained with an underwater digital photogrammetry protocol (UWP) and traditional sampling design simulations in coral reefs of the Cozumel Reefs National Park. Three orthomosaics (380 m2) per reef on six fringing reefs were constructed, and the hard coral community characterized using a Geographic Information System (GIS). The orthomosaics were also used as a basis to simulate transect lines and obtain data on the hard coral community according to the video transect (VT) protocol, point intercept (PIT) protocol, and the Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) protocol. Higher colony abundance, species richness, and lower coral cover estimates (p < 0.05) were obtained with the UWP. This protocol was also sensitive to small sized species. All the sampling designs showed similar capability to identify dominant species in terms of colony abundance and coral cover. The VT, PIT, and AGGRA showed similar coral cover values (p > 0.05), which seems to indicate that these sampling designs overestimate this important metric. Our results will help to understand and integrate the observations obtained with UWP with long-term data obtained with commonly used monitoring protocols in the Caribbean region.

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CONDICIÓN DE ARRECIFES DE CORAL SOMETIDOS A PRESIONES NATURALES RECIENTES: BAJOS DE SANCHO PARDO, CUBA

Revista Ciencias Marinas y Costeras ◽

10.15359/revmar.3.4 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

pp. 51

Author(s):

Hansel Caballero ◽

Pedro M. Alcolado

Keyword(s):

Coral Species ◽

Coral Cover ◽

Coral Disease ◽

Disease Outbreaks ◽

Biological Indicators ◽

Maximum Diameter ◽

Live Coral ◽

Coral Communities ◽

Low Levels ◽

Different Levels

Se evaluó la condición de la barrera de coral de los Bajos de Sancho Pardo (NW Cuba), área alejada de acciones antrópicas (excepto sobrepesca), pero que ha sufrido un período de frecuencia de huracanes, brotes de enfermedades y eventos de blanqueamiento de corales. En agosto del 2010 se aplicó la metodología de muestreo AGRRA en comunidades de corales de tres estaciones en las crestas, tres en las zonas traseras y 15 en el frente de arrecifes. Se identificaron 32 especies de corales, considerando solo colonias mayores de 10 cm de diámetro máximo. Los indicadores biológicos analizados sugieren cierta heterogeneidad en lascondiciones medioambientales y diferentes grados de resiliencia de los corales ante los disturbios naturales. El cubrimiento vivo medio de coral fue de 23% en las crestas, 27% en las zonas traseras y 9% en los arrecifes frontales. La densidad media lineal de corales fue de 8 colonias/10 m en las crestas, 11 colonias/10 m en las zonas traseras y 5 colonias/10 m en los arrecifes frontales. Se observó mortalidad reciente por enfermedades activas. La mortalidad antigua fue mayor en las zonas traseras y en las crestas, a causa aparentementede la mayor influencia de los huracanes por la menor profundidad. Los arrecifes estuvieron perturbados por cubrimiento importante de algas carnosas supuestamente por un insuficiente nivel de herbivorismo. ABSTRACT The condition of the barrier reef in Bajos de Sancho Pardo (NW Cuba) was assessed. This area is located far from anthropogenic disturbances (except overfishing) and has suffered a period of frequent hurricanes, coral disease outbreaks, and coral bleaching events. In August 2010, the AGRRA sampling methodology was applied to 21 coral communities;three crest stations, three rear zones, and 15 fore reef stations. Thirty-two coral species were identified, considering only colonies larger than 10 cm maximum diameter. The biological indicators analyzed suggest some degree of heterogeneity of environmental conditions and different levels of coral resiliency to natural disturbances. Average live coral cover was 23% on reef crests, 27% on back reefs and 9% on fore reefs. Average coral linear density was 8 colonies/10 m on reef crests, 11 colonies/10 m on back reefs and 5 colonies/10 m on fore reefs. Recent mortality was observed resulting from active diseases. Old mortality was higher in back reefs and reef crests, apparently due to the higher influence of hurricanes due to their shallow depths. Reefs were disturbed by a significant fleshy algae cover provably due to low levels of herbivory.

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Condición de los arrecifes coralinos del Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes, Cuba

Revista Ciencias Marinas y Costeras ◽

10.15359/revmar.10-5.5 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. 69 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Susana Perera Valderrama ◽

Pedro M. Alcolado ◽

Hansel Caballero Aragón ◽

Elena De la Guardia Llansó ◽

Dorka Cobián Rojas

Keyword(s):

Coral Reefs ◽

Coral Cover ◽

Degradation Process ◽

Abundant Species ◽

Maximum Diameter ◽

Caribbean Region ◽

Porites Astreoides ◽

Montastraea Faveolata ◽

Condition Indicators ◽

Coral Communities

En el 2007 se evaluó el estado de salud de los arrecifes coralinos del Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes, Cuba, sobre la base de la condición de las comunidades de corales. Se analizaron indicadores de condición de los corales escleractinios (diámetro máximo, riqueza de especies, enfermedades y mortalidad) a distintas profundidades, en 13 estaciones con diferentes niveles de exposición a los principales fenómenos océano-atmosféricos generadores de oleaje en el área (vientos nortes, sures y alisios). Se identificaron 42 especies de corales pétreos. Las más abundantes fueron: Siderastrea siderea, Montastraea faveolata, Agaricia agaricites y Porites astreoides. El promedio de cobertura de coral vivo varió entre 4.8% y 31.2%, con un promedio general de 17%. El análisis integrado de todos los indicadores de condición de las comunidades de corales sugirió la existencia de dos áreas diferenciadas según la exposición a los vientos y el consecuente efecto del oleaje y los sedimentos. La primera área abarcó el este de la Bahía de Corrientes (entre Uvero Quemado y Cuevas de Pedro), la más resguardada, y donde los indicadores biológicos sugieren un ambiente más favorable. La segunda comprendió la parte occidental más expuesta (entre Veral y Faro Roncali), que presentó la mayor cobertura relativa del conjunto de especies resistentes a la sedimentación, especialmente en 10 y 15 m de profundidad. Estos resultados indican que los arrecifes del Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes no escapan del proceso de degradación que afrontan la mayoría de los arrecifes de la región del Caribe.AbstractIn 2007, a health assessment of coral reefs in the Guanahacabibes National Park, Cuba, was conducted based onthe condition of coral communities. Coral condition indicators (maximum diameter, species richness, diseases andmortality) were evaluated, at different depths in 13 sites with varying exposure levels to the main ocean-atmosphericphenomena that generate waves in the area (north, south and trade winds). Forty two species of stony corals wereidentified. The most abundant species were Siderastrea siderea, Montastraea faveolata, Agaricia agaricites and Porites astreoides. The average coral cover varied between 4.8% and 31.2%, with a general average of 17%. Theintegrated analysis of all condition indicators of coral communities suggested the existence of two distinctive areasaccording to wind exposure and the consequent effect of both waves and sediments. The first area, covering east ofBahía de Corrientes (between Uvero Quemado and Cuevas de Pedro), was more protected and had a more favorableenvironment, as suggested by the biological indicators. The second area was comprised of the western part,was more exposed (between Veral and Faro Roncali), and showed the highest relative cover of species resistant tosedimentation, especially at 10 and 15 m deep. These results indicate that coral reefs at the Guanahacabibes NationalPark do not escape from the degradation process faced by most coral reefs in the Caribbean region.

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Coral reefs in the Gilbert Islands of Kiribati: Resistance, resilience, and recovery after more than a decade of multiple stressors

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0255304 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. e0255304

Author(s):

Sara E. Cannon ◽

Erietera Aram ◽

Toaea Beiateuea ◽

Aranteiti Kiareti ◽

Max Peter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Heat Stress ◽

Phase Shift ◽

Coral Reefs ◽

Coral Bleaching ◽

Coral Cover ◽

Hard Coral ◽

Turf Algae ◽

The World ◽

Coral Communities

Coral reefs are increasingly affected by a combination of acute and chronic disturbances from climate change and local stressors. The coral reefs of the Republic of Kiribati’s Gilbert Islands are exposed to frequent heat stress caused by central-Pacific type El Niño events, and may provide a glimpse into the future of coral reefs in other parts of the world, where the frequency of heat stress events will likely increase due to climate change. Reefs in the Gilbert Islands experienced a series of acute disturbances over the past fifteen years, including mass coral bleaching in 2004–2005 and 2009–2010, and an outbreak of the corallivorous sea star Acanthaster cf solaris, or Crown-of-Thorns (CoTs), in 2014. The local chronic pressures including nutrient loading, sedimentation and fishing vary within the island chain, with highest pressures on the reefs in urbanized South Tarawa Atoll. In this study, we examine how recovery from acute disturbances differs across a gradient of human influence in neighboring Tarawa and Abaiang Atolls from 2012 through 2018. Benthic cover and size frequency data suggests that local coral communities have adjusted to the heat stress via shifts in the community composition to more temperature-tolerant taxa and individuals. In densely populated South Tarawa, we document a phase shift to the weedy and less bleaching-sensitive coral Porites rus, which accounted for 81% of all coral cover by 2018. By contrast, in less populated Abaiang, coral communities remained comparatively more diverse (with higher percentages of Pocillopora and the octocoral Heliopora) after the disturbances, but reefs had lower overall hard coral cover (18%) and were dominated by turf algae (41%). The CoTs outbreak caused a decline in the cover and mean size of massive Porites, the only taxa that was a ‘winner’ of the coral bleaching events in Abaiang. Although there are signs of recovery, the long-term trajectory of the benthic communities in Abaiang is not yet clear. We suggest three scenarios: they may remain in their current state (dominated by turf algae), undergo a phase shift to dominance by the macroalgae Halimeda, or recover to dominance by thermally tolerant hard coral genera. These findings provide a rare glimpse at the future of coral reefs around the world and the ways they may be affected by climate change, which may allow scientists to better predict how other reefs will respond to increasing heat stress events across gradients of local human disturbance.

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CONDICIÓN DE LOS ARRECIFES DE CORAL FRENTE A COSTAS CON ASENTAMIENTOS HUMANOS Y APORTES TERRÍGENOS: EL CASO DEL LITORAL HABANERO, CUBA

Revista Ciencias Marinas y Costeras ◽

10.15359/revmar.1.3 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. 49 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hansel Caballero ◽

Pedro M. Alcolado ◽

Aloyma Semidey

Keyword(s):

Coral Cover ◽

Good Condition ◽

Biological Indicators ◽

Maximum Diameter ◽

Live Coral ◽

Diadema Antillarum ◽

Density Maximum ◽

Live Coral Cover ◽

Coral Communities ◽

Evenness Indices

Se evaluó la condición de los arrecifes de coral del norte de las provincias habaneras (NW Cuba), área con influencia variable de asentamientos humanos y de aporte terrígeno, con la aplicación de indicadores biológicos del bentos de la metodología AGRRA: cubrimiento vivo de coral; densidad, diámetro máximo, mortalidad reciente y antigua, y reclutamiento de corales duros; densidad de erizos Diadema antillarum; y cubrimiento por macroalgas. Se muestrearon las comunidades de corales de 11 sitios de crestas arrecifales y 22 de arrecifes frontales durante el año 2004. Se calcularon los índices de heterogeneidad de Shannon y de equitatividad de Pielou. Se identificaron 33 especies de corales (mayores de 10). Hubo diferencias significativas entre sitios en los indicadores biológicos analizados que sugieren una marcada heterogeneidad en las condiciones medioambientales a lo largo de la zona de estudio. El cubrimiento medio de coral vivo en las crestas fue de 28% y en los arrecifes frontales, de 21%. La densidad media en las crestas fue de 9 colonias/10 m, mientras que en los arrecifes más profundos, 12 colonias/10 m. Se observaron poca mortalidad reciente y bajos porcentajes de corales enfermos. La mortalidad antigua se debe aparentemente a la acumulación histórica de afectaciones, tanto naturales como antrópicas. Los arrecifes estuvieron perturbados además por cubrimientos significativos de macroalgas carnosas aparentemente causados por una combinación de exceso de nutrientes e insuficiente herbivorismo. Se encontraron arrecifes en buenas condiciones posiblemente dado por cierto nivel de heterotrofía favorecido por enriquecimiento de materia orgánica particulada proveniente de tierra.Coral reef condition north of the Havanan provinces (NW Cuba), an area with variable influence from human settlements and runoff, was assessed using the AGRRA methodology’s benthic biological indicators: live coral cover, coral density, maximum colony diameter, old and recent coral mortality, coral recruitment, Diadema antillarum density, and macroalgae cover. Coral communities at 11 reef crest and 22 forereef sites were sampled during 2004. The Shannon heterogenety and Pielou evenness indices were calculated. A total of 33 species of coral, larger than 10 cm in maximum diameter, were identified. The biological indicators analyzed showed significant differences among sites, which suggest a marked heterogeneity in environmental conditions along the study area. The average live coral cover was 28% on crests, and 21% on forereefs. The average densities were 9 colonies/10 m in crests, and 12 colonies/10 m in the deeper sites. Little recent mortality and low diseased coral percentages were observed. Old mortality is apparently due to the historical accumulation of both natural and anthropogenic effects. Reefs were also perturbed by considerable fleshy macroalgal cover, apparently a consequence of both excess of nutrients and insufficient herbivory. Reefs in good condition were found possibly due to some level of heterotophy from organic matter enrichment derived from land sources.

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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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