Coral reef condition in several dive points around Bunaken Island, North Sulawesi

2014 ◽  
pp. 44
Author(s):  
Robert Towoliu
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Core Zone ◽  
Integrated Management System ◽  
North Sulawesi ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
Reef Condition

In order to know the coral reef conditions at several diving points around Bunaken Island, three dive locations (Ron’s point, Lekuan, and Tawara) were chosen as representative locations receiving pressures from snorkeling and SCUBA diving activities, while  core zone was representative of location for  no diving and fishing activities.  Results showed that location with diving activities had live coral cover  ranging from 16.89% to 45.78% at 3 and 10m depths, with condition range of bad to moderate, while the location for no diving and fishing activities (core zone) had live coral cover of 55.03% at 3m and 58.15% at 10m, respectively,  with good condition category.  The present study indicated that the diving activities have affected the coral reef condition, so that a sustainable integrated management system is needed to use the marine ecotourism potency without degrading the coral reef condition in Bunaken Island. Untuk mengetahui kondisi terumbu karang di beberapa lokasi penyelaman di Pulau Bunaken, tiga lokasi penyelaman(Ron’s point, Lekuan, dan Tawara) dipilih mewakili lokasi dengan tekanan aktivitas penyelaman snorkeling maupun SCUBA, sedangkan satu lokasi lainnya yaitu zona inti dipilih mewakili lokasi tanpa aktivitas penyelaman maupun aktivitas penangkapan ikan.  Hasil penelitian ini memperlihatkan bahwa lokasi dengan tekanan aktivitas penyelaman memiliki prosentase tutupan karang batu/hidup berkisar antara 16,89% - 45,78% pada kedalaman 3 dan 10m, dengan kategori kondisi terumbu karang buruk sampai cukup, sedangkan pada lokasi yang tidak memiliki aktivitas penyelaman memiliki prosentase tutupan karang batu/hidup sebesar 53,03% pada 3m dan 58,15% pada 10m dengan kategori kondisi terumbu karang adalah baik.  Hasil penelitian ini mengindikasikan bahwa aktivitas penyelaman snorkeling maupun SCUBA berdampak pada kondisi terumbu karang di Pulau Bunaken, sehingga sangat diperlukan system pengelolaan yang terpadu dan berkesinambungan dalam memanfaatkan secara maksimal potensi ekowisata bahari tanpa merusak ekosistem terumbu karang di Pulau Bunaken.

scholarly journals OVERVIEW OF THE SUCCESSFUL CORAL REEF MANAGEMENT IN INDONESIA

2010 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-41
Author(s):  
Suharsono
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Subsistence Level ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
The World

Indonesia is the largest archipelagic country in the world, composed of 18,110 islands with a coastline of 108,900 km long, extending some 5000 km long and 2000 km wide located between Asia and Australia. Coral reefs have important meaning and value for the coastal communities in term of economic, social, and cultural conditions. About 1.5 million people are traditional fishermen who live in subsistence level and depend on their lives fully on coral reefs' resources. The Indonesian coral reef contributed 14% of the world, distributed unevenly from Sabang to Merauke with the highest concentration around Sulawesi and Maluku. The species richness and the biodiversity of the Indonesian corals amounted to 590 species belonging to 82 genera or about 80% of the currently existing coral species in the world. Monitoring program has been done from 1993 to 2010 and it shows the trend of improvement in the term of live coral cover. The condition of coral reefs in Indonesia taken from 84 locations and 1048 sites were 50.54% in excellent condition, 26.72% in good condition, 37.21% in fair condition, and 30.82% in bad condition. Improving trends in live coral cover across all project sites shows that the live coral covers has increased in all monitored sites across all project districts with average yearly live coral coverage increase is about 2-5%. The National Policy, Strategy, and Action Plan was established, with its main objective of managing the coral reef ecosystems based on the balance between conservation and utilization, and it was reflected in the Law No. 27 of 2007 concerning coastal management and small islands. The most remarkable result of the program is community awareness, namely the decrease of fishing activities shows that the destructive fishing activities in all project district are now non-existent of at a minimal level. A special text books on marine lives for elementary, secondary, and high school is the most widely adopted by local education service as a book of local content. Whereas institutional strengthening program constitutes the most difficult, energy and time consuming activities. It is due to the rivaly between the local institution and the lac of officials' and the communities' knowledge on the conservation based management principle.

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 Keanekaragaman dan Biomassa Ikan Karang serta Keterkaitannya dengan Tutupan Karang Hidup di Perairan Manggis, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 164
Author(s):  
I Made Raditya Putra ◽  
I Gusti Ngurah Putra Dirgayusa ◽  
Elok Faiqoh
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Coral Reef Fish ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Living Coral ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Live Coral Cover

The existence of coral reef fish is closely related to the availability of coral reef resource as a habitat. Coral reef fish is a biota that has a fascination with a variety of color patterns and fascinating. Differences in coral cover conditions will affect the abundance of coral reef fish, especially those with strong linkages to living corals. This research was conducted in June - August 2017 by using line intercept transect (LIT) method for coral cover percentage and visual census method for biodiversity and biomass of coral reef fish with 3 research stations in Manggis waters, Karangasem. From the research results, it shows that the diversity index ranged between 2.54 - 2.70 which means the diversity of coral reef fish in the medium category and the stability of the community is in the medium. Furthermore, total biomass of coral reef fish ranged between 186,17 - 1692,08 kg / ha. The results stated that the percentage of live coral cover in Manggis waters ranged from 3.83% to 12.44% which means that live coral cover is categorized as bad. A very strong positive correlation between living coral conditions and coral reef fish biomass was 92.42%. Meanwhile, the relationship between living coral conditions and the diversity of coral reef fish had a strong positive correlation of 65.4%. The diversity of coral reef fish in waters is not only caused by live coral cover; however, it is caused by coral reef ecosystems that are associated in the bottom of the waters.

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

DEPIK ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-119
Author(s):  
Maria Ulfah ◽  
Saiful Mahlil ◽  
Muhammad Nasir ◽  
Sayyid Afdhal El Rahimi ◽  
Syahrul Purnawan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Marine Biota ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Small Islands ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystems ◽  
The Indian Ocean ◽  
Average Condition ◽  
Line Intercept

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

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 Coral reef fish assemblages at Clipperton Atoll (Eastern Tropical Pacific) and their relationship with coral cover

2016 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurora M. Ricart ◽  
Fabián A. Rodríguez-Zaragoza ◽  
Carlos González-Salas ◽  
Marco Ortiz ◽  
Amílcar L. Cupul-Magaña ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Coral Reef ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Coral Reef Fish ◽  
Fish Assemblage ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Assemblage Composition ◽  
Live Coral Cover

Clipperton Atoll, one of the most isolated coral reefs worldwide, is of great scientific interest due to its geomorphology and high levels of endemism. This study explored the reef fish assemblage structure of Clipperton Atoll and its relationship with live coral cover. Nine stations were sampled at three sites and three depths (6, 12 and 20 m) around the reef, measuring fish species richness and biomass and hermatypic coral cover (at genus level). We evaluated variation in species richness, biomass and diversity of fish assemblages among sites and depths, as well as the relationship between the entire fish assemblage composition and live coral cover. The results showed that species richness and biomass were similar among sites, but differed across depths, increasing with depth. In contrast, diversity differed among sites but not among depths. Multivariate analyses indicated that fish assemblage composition differed among sites and depths in relation to changes in cover of coral of the genera Pocillopora, Porites, Pavona and Leptoseris, which dominate at different depths. The results showed that fish species richness and diversity were low at Clipperton Atoll and that, in isolated coral reefs with a low habitat heterogeneity and low human disturbance, live coral cover has a significant influence on the spatial variation of the reef fish assemblages. This study highlights the importance of coral habitat structure in shaping coral reef fish assemblages.

scholarly journals Assessing the Condition of Coral Reefs and the Indicator Fish (Family: Chaetodontidae) in Coastal Waters of Jayapura City, Papua Province, Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-132
Author(s):  
Baigo Hamuna ◽  
John Dominggus Kalor ◽  
Adinda Intan Rachmadani
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Coastal Waters ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Visual Census ◽  
Fish Family ◽  
Reef Condition

Abstract The aim of this study was to find out the condition of coral reef coverage and the presence of Chaetodontidae fish in coastal waters of Jayapura City, Indonesia. The observation of coral reef coverage was performed using point intercept transect (PIT) method; meanwhile the observation of the presence of Chaetodontidae fish used visual census method. The result of this study described that coral reef condition in the study site was in severely damage (live coral 0%) in the DOK II site at 6 m depth, moderately damage (live coral 32.00% ± 2.13% to 42.00% ± 13.18%) in Kayu Pulo Island and the DOK II at 3 m depth, and good condition (live coral 56.00% ± 7.48% to 60.00% ± 5.55%) in the Tanjung Kayu Batu. There were 9 Chaetodontidae fish species from Chaetodon genus, Forcipiger genus, and Heniochus genus. The number of Chaetodontidae fish was 95, of which Heniochus acuminatus was the most dominant, as many as 46 individuals.

scholarly journals HUBUNGAN TUTUPAN BENTUK KARANG DENGAN KELIMPAHAN IKAN KARANG DI PERAIRAN PULAU CILIK TAMAN NASIONAL KARIMUNJAWA

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 246-252
Author(s):  
Lillah Gustilah ◽  
Anhar Solichin ◽  
Pujiono Wahyu Purnomo
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
National Park ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Fish Abundance ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Central Java ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystems

Pulau Cilik merupakan salah satu dari 27 Pulau yang membentuk kepulauan Karimunjawa, Jawa Tengah. Kondisi terumbu karang yang masih baik menjadikan Pulau Cilik sebagai salah satu objek wisata. Adanya kegiatan pariwisata dikhawatirkan dapat mengganggu kondisi ekosistem terumbu karang. Tujuan dari penelitian ini untuk mengetahui jenis dan perbedaan kelimpahan ikan antar kedalaman dan hubungan kerapatan bentuk karang dan kelimpahan ikan karang di berbagai tingkat kedalaman yang berbeda di Pulau Cilik Taman Nasional Karimunjawa, Jawa Tengah. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada bulan September 2016 di perairan Pulau Cilik Taman Nasional Karimunjawa, Jawa Tengah. Metode penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian bersifat deskriptif. Pengamatan dilakukan pada 4 stasiun yaitu barat, selatan, utara dan timur Pulau Cilik terdapat 2 titik kedalaman titik 1 3 m dan 10 m, masing-masing dilakukan pengulangan pengamatan 2 kali. Pada setiap titik dilakukan pengukuran parameter fisika dan kimia air, pengamatan kondisi bentuk karang dan kelimpahan ikan. Analisis data meliputi indeks keanekaragaman, keseragaman dan perhitungan persentase tutupan karang hidup, karang mati, pasir dan pecahan karang. Data yang telah diperoleh selanjutnya dianalisa statistik dengan uji t, yaitu membandingkan kelimpahan ikan karang antara kedalaman 3 m dan 10 m serta membandingkan perbedaan hubungan antara bentuk karang dan ikan karang. Hasil Bentuk karang yang terdapat di Pulau Cilik yaitu bentuk karang keras dan kelimpahan ikan karang yang mendominasi adalah jenis ikan Pomacentridae. Hubungan kerapatan terumbu karang dengan kelimpahan ikan karang terdapat hubungan positif dengan nilai koefisien korelasi (R) sebesar 0,6861 pada kedalaman 3 m dan 10 m, Persentase tutupan terumbu karang hidup termasuk kategori baik (>50%). Cilik Island is one of 27 island that form the Karimunjawa islands, Central Java. The condition of coral reefs are still outstanding to make Cilik Island as one of tourist destinations. The existence of tourism activities is worried to disrupt the condition of coral reef ecosystems. The aim of this research is to recognise the types and differences of fish abundance between depth and the relation of coral cover density and abundance of reef fish at different level of depth in Cilik Island Karimunjawa National Park, Central Java. This research was conducted in September 2016 in the waters of Pulau Cilik Karimunjawa National Park, Central Java. The research method used in the research is descriptive method. The observations were conducted on 4 stations, they are west, south, north and east of Cilik Island has 2 points depth point of 3m and 10m,each of observation was reapeted twice. At each point, It was conducted the measurement on physical and chemical parameters of water, observation of coral cover condition and fish abundance. Analysis data included index of diversity, uniformity and calculation of percentage of live coral cover, dead corals, sand and coral fragments. The obtained data were then analyzed statistically with t-test, by comparing the abundance of reef fish between 3 m and 10 m of depth and comparing the differences between coral cover and reef fish. The results of coral shape found in Pulau Cilik is the form of hard corals and the abundance of reef fish that dominate is Pomacentridae fish species. The correlation of coral reef density with abundance of reef fish has positive correlation with correlation coefficient value (R) 0,6861 at depth of 3 m and 10 m. The percentage of live coral cover is good category (> 50%). 

scholarly journals Comparison of Live Coral Cover in Central and South Bangka

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Mu'alimah Hudatwi ◽  
Umroh Umroh
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Reef Coral ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Dead Coral ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
Anthropogenic Stressor ◽  
High Turbidity ◽  
The Universe ◽  
Runoff And Sedimentation

Abstract Coral reef ecosystem has many biological, ecological, and economical functions to the universe. This ecosystem provides shelter, food, and home for many marine organisms and together they perform diverse and rich ecosystem. However, this diverse ecosystem is very susceptible to environmental change, such as climate change, ocean acidification, and other anthropogenic impact. When reef-building coral could not stand with harsh condition they will eventually die. We assume that anthropogenic stressor such as turbidity, terrestrial runoff, and sedimentation is the main problem here, because of high number of tin mining activities. Bangka and Belitung Islands are huge tin producer and has been exploited heavily by the legal and illegal miner company. The purpose of this study is to investigate the live coral cover in Central and South Bangka by using the line intercept transect to calculate the live coral, died coral, and algae in each stations. The results showed that the coral cover in Central Bangka and South Bangka has fair condition (25-40% of live stony coral). Value of live and dead coral cover was 40% with Semujur and Ketawai represent the coral cover in Central Bangka. While South Bangka has slight (1-2%) difference of live coral, dead coral, and algae cover. High number of dead coral mainly composed by dead coral overgrown by algae, allegedly caused by high turbidity and sedimentation from the anthropogenic stressor. Keywords: coral reef, coral cover, died coral, sedimentation Abstrak Perbandingan Tutupan Karang Hidup di Bangka Tengah dan SelatanEkosistem terumbu karang mempunyai fungsi biologi, ekologi, dan ekonomi yang bermanfaat bagi manusia. Ekosistem ini menyediakan tempat berlindung, makanan, dan rumah bagi organisme laut dan membentuk suatu ekosistem yang kaya dan beragam. Namun, ekosistem ini sangat rentan terhadap perubahan lingkungan, sepertiiklim, asidifikasi, dan dampak lain yang dilakukan manusia. Ketika terumbu karang tidak mampu bertahan dengan perubahan lingkungan yang ekstrim mereka akan mati. Kami menduga bahwa dampak antropogenik seperti turbiditas, runoff dari darat, dan sedimentasi merupakan penyebab utama kerusakan terumbu karang, karena banyaknya aktivitas penambangan. Kepulauan Bangka belitung adalah penghasil timah terbesar dan telah dieksploitasi oleh penambang timah legal maupun ilegal. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui tutupan karang hidup di Provinsi Bangka Tengah dan Bangka Selatan dengan menggunakan metode traksek garis. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa terumbu karang di Bangka Tengah dan Selatan termasuk kategori sedang (25- 40% tutupan karang). Tutupan karang hidup dan karang mati di Bnagka Tengah sebesar 40% dari hasill pengamatan di Semujur dan Ketawai. Sedangkan nilai tutupan karang hidup, karang mati, dan alga di Bangka Selatan mempunyai angka perbedaan yang rendah (1-2%). Tingginya tutupan karang mati tersusun oleh karang mati yyang ditumbuhi alga yang disebabkan oleh turbiditas dan sedimentasi.Kata Kunci: karang mati, terumbu karang, tutupan karang, sedimentasi

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

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
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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