scholarly journals Unraveling a resilient reef: structure and composition of Varadero, an imperiled coral reef in the Colombian Caribbean

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Pizarro ◽  
Sara C Rodríguez ◽  
Mateo López-Victoria ◽  
Fernando A Zapata ◽  
Sven Zea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Ecosystem Goods And Services ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Magdalena River ◽  
High Sediment

Coral reefs supply millions of people with ecosystem goods and services, especially those living along tropical coastlines. Unfortunately, these ecosystems are disappearing at an alarming pace. In the Caribbean, the rate of coral loss is high (5.5 – 9.2% per year) and constant. In 2013, a healthy coral reef was discovered in one of the least expected places within the Colombian Caribbean: at the entrance of Cartagena Bay, a highly-polluted system that receives industrial and sewage waste, as well as high sediment and freshwater loads from an outlet of the Magdalena River (the longest and most populated river basin in Colombia). Here we provide the first characterization of Varadero Reef’s geomorphology and biological diversity. We also compare these characteristics with those of a nearby reference reef, Barú Reef, located in an area much less influenced by the described polluted system. Below the murky waters, we found high coral cover of 45.1% (± 3.9; up to 80% in some sectors), three species of lobster, eight of sea urchin, a fish community composed by 61 species from 24 families, and the typical zonation of a Caribbean fringing reef. All attributes found correspond to a reef that, according to current standards should be considered in "good condition". Current plans to dredge part of Varadero threaten the survival of this reef and could hinder efforts to uncover the underpinnings of this reef’s remarkable resilience. There is, therefore, an urgent need to describe the location and characteristics of Varadero as a first step towards gaining acknowledgement of its existence and garnering inherent legal and environmental protections.

scholarly journals Unraveling a resilient reef: structure and composition of Varadero, an imperiled coral reef in the Colombian Caribbean

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Pizarro ◽  
Sara C Rodríguez ◽  
Mateo López-Victoria ◽  
Fernando A Zapata ◽  
Sven Zea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Ecosystem Goods And Services ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Magdalena River ◽  
High Sediment

Coral reefs supply millions of people with ecosystem goods and services, especially those living along tropical coastlines. Unfortunately, these ecosystems are disappearing at an alarming pace. In the Caribbean, the rate of coral loss is high (5.5 – 9.2% per year) and constant. In 2013, a healthy coral reef was discovered in one of the least expected places within the Colombian Caribbean: at the entrance of Cartagena Bay, a highly-polluted system that receives industrial and sewage waste, as well as high sediment and freshwater loads from an outlet of the Magdalena River (the longest and most populated river basin in Colombia). Here we provide the first characterization of Varadero Reef’s geomorphology and biological diversity. We also compare these characteristics with those of a nearby reference reef, Barú Reef, located in an area much less influenced by the described polluted system. Below the murky waters, we found high coral cover of 45.1% (± 3.9; up to 80% in some sectors), three species of lobster, eight of sea urchin, a fish community composed by 61 species from 24 families, and the typical zonation of a Caribbean fringing reef. All attributes found correspond to a reef that, according to current standards should be considered in "good condition". Current plans to dredge part of Varadero threaten the survival of this reef and could hinder efforts to uncover the underpinnings of this reef’s remarkable resilience. There is, therefore, an urgent need to describe the location and characteristics of Varadero as a first step towards gaining acknowledgement of its existence and garnering inherent legal and environmental protections.

scholarly journals Unraveling the structure and composition of Varadero Reef, an improbable and imperiled coral reef in the Colombian Caribbean

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e4119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Pizarro ◽  
Sara C. Rodríguez ◽  
Mateo López-Victoria ◽  
Fernando A. Zapata ◽  
Sven Zea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Fish Community ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
High Species Diversity ◽  
Magdalena River ◽  
High Sediment ◽  
Current Standards

Coral reefs are commonly associated with oligotrophic, well-illuminated waters. In 2013, a healthy coral reef was discovered in one of the least expected places within the Colombian Caribbean: at the entrance of Cartagena Bay, a highly-polluted system that receives industrial and sewage waste, as well as high sediment and freshwater loads from an outlet of the Magdalena River (the longest and most populated river basin in Colombia). Here we provide the first characterization of Varadero Reef’s geomorphology and biological diversity. We also compare these characteristics with those of a nearby reference reef, Barú Reef, located in an area much less influenced by the described polluted system. Below the murky waters, we found high coral cover of 45.1% (±3.9; up to 80% in some sectors), high species diversity, including 42 species of scleractinian coral, 38 of sponge, three of lobster, and eight of sea urchin; a fish community composed of 61 species belonging to 24 families, and the typical zonation of a Caribbean fringing reef. All attributes found correspond to a reef that, according to current standards should be considered in “good condition”. Current plans to dredge part of Varadero threaten the survival of this reef. There is, therefore, an urgent need to describe the location and characteristics of Varadero as a first step towards gaining acknowledgement of its existence and garnering inherent legal and environmental protections.

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.

Mitigating Impacts of Natural Hazards on Fishery Ecosystems

2008 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Emergency Management ◽  
Natural Disaster ◽  
Marine Debris ◽  
Ecosystem Goods And Services ◽  
Reef Restoration ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Emergency Managers ◽  
Land Use Decisions ◽  
Management Advice

<em>Abstract</em>.—The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami left a vast amount of destruction in its wake on land and in the sea. About 60% of coral reefs in the affected areas of Thailand were damaged, at least in the shallowest 10–20-m (33–66-ft) depth zones. Many damaged reef, beach, and mangrove areas in Thailand and Sri Lanka were high value tourist attractions or provided other important ecosystem goods and services. We were part of a fortuitous partnership of people with experience in reef restoration, coral reef science, marine debris removal, construction, professional scuba diving, business, marketing, and environmental nongovernmental organizations. We helped organize and fund multiple restoration and cleanup projects that restored damaged and detached sea fans in Similan Islands Marine National Park, restored hard corals, removed more than 453.59 metric tons of marine debris, and provided sustainable management advice to local stakeholders and decision makers. We later became involved in advising emergency management agencies on disaster preparedness and response. We use our reef-dominated experiences as a case study to suggest broader lessons learned for natural scientists to be involved in, and for emergency managers to consider, for mitigating and planning for future natural disaster impacts on fishery ecosystems. We also provide some coral-reef specific lessons regarding reattachment of large sea fans, triaging and organizing large-scale volunteer marine debris recovery, and other coral ecosystem restoration efforts. We argue that “natural” disasters can cause significant damage to reefs and other ecosystems and that much damage results from human sources that are not natural and can be mitigated or prevented (such as siting and land-use decisions that lead to debris affecting reefs). Thus, we disagree with those who say natural events like hurricanes or tsunamis “are not appropriate for reef restoration” (Precht 2006; Symons et al. 2006). Further, governments need to recognize the economic and inherent values of ecosystem goods and services in natural disaster response legislation and policies (e.g., The Stafford Act in the United States) to improve outcomes for society. We also argue that ecosystem advocates need to adopt the language of emergency management.

scholarly journals Potensi Ekosistem Terumbu Karang Untuk Pengembangan Ekowisata di Perairan Pulau Sintok Taman Nasional Karimunjawa

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 374-385
Author(s):  
Maulana Cahya Widhiatmoko ◽  
Hadi Endrawati ◽  
Nur Taufiq-SPJ
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Development Strategy ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Marine Biota ◽  
Suitability Index ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystems

ABSTRAK: Ekosistem terumbu karang merupakan habitat berbagai biota laut bernilai ekonomis tinggi. Ekowisata merupakan perjalanan wisata ke wilayah alami maupun buatan dengan tujuan konservasi untuk menjamin kelestarian alam dan sosial- budaya. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui potensi biofisik terumbu karang untuk pengembangan ekowisata serta mengetahui analisis strategi pengembangan ekowisata terumbu karang di Pulau Sintok Karimunjawa. Pengamatan biofisik ekosistem terumbu karang dilakukan menggunakan metode LIT atau Line Transect. Data yang didapat dianalisis menggunakan indeks kesesuaian ekowisata selam dan analisis SWOT. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa tutupan karang hidup di Pulau Sintok pada keempat titik pengambilan berkisar antara 30-82%. Berdasarkan analisis kesesuaian ekowisata, kawasan perairan Pulau Sintok memiliki nilai IKW (Indeks Kesesuaian Wisata) >50 – 83% dimana nilai 50% - < 80% termasuk kedalam kelas (S2) atau suitable dan nilai IKW 83% termasuk ke dalam kategori (S1) atau sangat sesuai untuk dijadikan sebagai ekowisata terumbu karang kategori selam. Analisis strategi pengelolaan kawasan pengembangan ekowisata di perairan Pulau Sintok adalah dengan :  pengelolaan kawasan terumbu karang sebagai ekowisata secara optimal, perlunya upaya pencegahan kerusakan ekosistem terumbu karang untuk dijadikan kawasan ekowisata, pengembangan sistem informasi serta meningkatkan sarana prasarana pengelolaan ekowisata, dan Penegakkan hukum dan peraturan perundang-undangan demi penerapan pengelolaan terumbu karang secara lestari. ABSTRACT: The coral reef ecosystems are habitats for various marine biota, which have a high economic value. Coral reef ecosystems provide merits to support the marine tourism industry for foreign exchange earnings. They also provide significant employment and business opportunities. Coral reef ecosystems which have a good condition can be developed into coral reef ecotourism. Ecotourism is a tour to natural and artificial areas with the purpose of conservation to ensure the natural and socio-cultural sustainability. The purpose of this research is to find out the biophysical potential of the coral reefs for the development of ecotourism, and to perceive the analysis of the development strategy of coral reef ecotourism in Sintok Island, Karimunjawa. The biophysical observation of coral reef ecosystems is conducted with LIT or Line Transect method. The data obtained is analyzed using ecotourism suitability index and SWOT analysis. The result of this research shows that living coral cover on Sintok Island at the four taking points ranged from 30-82%. According to the analysis of ecotourism suitability, Sintok Island waters area has IKW value (Tourism Suitability Index) >50-83%. The value of 50%-<80% belongs to the class (S2) or suitable, and the IKW value of 83% belongs to the category (S1) or very suitable to be used as coral reef ecotourism category. The analysis of the management strategy of ecotourism development area in Sintok Island waters are as follows: (1) The optimal management of coral reef area as ecotourism, (2) The prevention of coral reef ecosystems from damage, (3) The development of information system, as well as the enhancement of ecotourism management infrastructure, and (4) The enforcement of laws and regulations for the sake of coral reefs’ sustainable management.

scholarly journals Rapidly increasing macroalgal cover not related to herbivorous fishes on Mesoamerican reefs

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2084 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Suchley ◽  
Melanie D. McField ◽  
Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Herbivorous Fish ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Macroalgal Cover ◽  
Control Paradigm ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
The Impact

Long-term phase shifts from coral to macroalgal dominated reef systems are well documented in the Caribbean. Although the impact of coral diseases, climate change and other factors is acknowledged, major herbivore loss through disease and overfishing is often assigned a primary role. However, direct evidence for the link between herbivore abundance, macroalgal and coral cover is sparse, particularly over broad spatial scales. In this study we use a database of coral reef surveys performed at 85 sites along the Mesoamerican Reef of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras, to examine potential ecological links by tracking site trajectories over the period 2005–2014. Despite the long-term reduction of herbivory capacity reported across the Caribbean, the Mesoamerican Reef region displayed relatively low macroalgal cover at the onset of the study. Subsequently, increasing fleshy macroalgal cover was pervasive. Herbivorous fish populations were not responsible for this trend as fleshy macroalgal cover change was not correlated with initial herbivorous fish biomass or change, and the majority of sites experienced increases in macroalgae browser biomass. This contrasts the coral reef top-down herbivore control paradigm and suggests the role of external factors in making environmental conditions more favourable for algae. Increasing macroalgal cover typically suppresses ecosystem services and leads to degraded reef systems. Consequently, policy makers and local coral reef managers should reassess the focus on herbivorous fish protection and consider complementary measures such as watershed management in order to arrest this trend.

scholarly journals Kondisi Terumbu Karang Di Pantai Empu Rancak Kabupaten Jepara

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suryono Suryono ◽  
Edi Wibowo ◽  
Raden Ario ◽  
Nur Taufiq SPJ ◽  
Ria Azizah
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coastal Waters ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Marine Tourism ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Index Value ◽  
Line Intercept

Abstract Coral Reef Condition In Coastal Waters of Empu Rancak, Mlonggo, Regency of Jepara Empu Rancak coastal  waters in Karanggondang village, Mlonggo District is one of the coral reef ecosystem location in coastal area of  Jepara Regency. Following the growth of culinary and Marine  tourism bring the need for monitoring the condition of coral reefs so that such activity does not provide ecological impacts against the condition of coral reefs. The method used to assess the condition of coral reefs  is Line Intercept Transect which done by percentage calculation of living coral coverage. The research results shows that the condition of the coral reefs in a depth of 3 metres found coral cover percentage of 4.5%, while at a depth of 6 meters found coral cover percentage of 9.7%. From this result indicates the coral reefs in critical condition，however the high biodiversity and dominance index value is presumed that these coral reefs was in good condition. It`s showed by the high percentage of coral die either at a depth of 3 metres (95.54%) or at a depth of 6 meters(90.30%). The diversity of species of coral were found at a depth of 3 meters consist of 6 genus, they are: Goniastrea sp., Favia sp., Galaxea sp., Porites, Acropora sp. and Montipora sp., whereas at a depth of 6 meters were found more species of coral diversity for at least 11 genus, they are: Acropora sp., Favites sp., Echinopora sp., Goniastrea sp. Symphyllia agaricia sp, Favia sp., Goniopora sp., Porites sp., Montipora sp., Platygyra sp., and Montastrea sp. The condition of coral reefs cover which relatively critical are caused by decreasing the quality of waters ecology that caused by sedimentation rate and runoff processes of land activity, high waves in northwest monsoon and the growth of culinary tourism as well as marine  tourism in Empu Rancak coastal  waters gradually worsen the condition of coral reefs. Keywords : Coral reef, tourism, Line Intercept Transect, AbstrakPerairan pantai Empu Rancak desa Karanggondang, Kecamatan Mlonggo merupakan salah satu lokasi ekosistem  terumbu karang yang berada pesisir di kabupaten Jepara. Dengan berkembangnya aktivitas wisata kuliner serta wisata  bahari, maka perlu dilakukan pemantauan kondisi terumbu karang agar kegiatan tersebut tidak tidak memberikan dampak ekologi terhadap kondisi terumbu karang. Metode yang dipergunakan untuk menilai kondisi terumbu karang adalah  dengan metode perhitungan persentase penutupan karang hidup menggunakan Line Intercept Transect. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa Kondisi terumbu karang di kedalaman 3 meter ditemukan prosentasi tutupan karang sebesar 4,5 %, sedangkan pada kedalaman 6 meter ditemukan prosentase tutupan karang sebesar 9,7 %, maka kondisi terumbu karang di perairan pantai empu rancak Mlonggo, dalam kondisi buruk sekali, namun tingginya keanekaragaman dan nilai indeks dominasi, maka diduga bahwa terumbu karang dilokasi penelitian pernah dalam kondisi baik sebelumnya. Hal ini ditunjukan dengan tingginya prosentase karang mati baik pada kedalaman 3 meter (95,54 %) maupun pada kedalaman 6 meter (90,30 %). Keanekaragaman jenis karang yang ditemukan pada kedalaman 3 meter terdiri atas 6 genus yaitu : GoniastreaSp., Favia Sp., Galaxea Sp., Porites Sp., Acropora Sp.,dan Montipora Sp.,sedangkan pada kedalaman 6 meter ditemukan keanekaraamanan jenis karang yang lebih banyak (11 genus), yaitu : Acropora sp., Favites sp., Echinopora sp., Goniastrea sp., Symphyllia agaricia, Favia sp., Goniopora sp., Porites sp., Montipora sp., Platygyra sp. ,dan Montastrea sp. Kondisi tutupan terumbu karang yang relatif buruk sekali  diduga  diakibatkan oleh menurunnya kualitas ekologi perairan yang diakibatkan oleh oleh tekanan  laju  sedimentasi serta proses  run off dari aktivitas didaratan, tingginya paparan  gelombang pada saat musim barat serta  berkembangnya  wisata kuliner serta wisata bahari  di perairan Pantai Empu rancak yang  memperburuk kondisi terumbu karang.  Kata Kunci : Terumbu Karang, pariwisata, Line Intercept Transect

scholarly journals Komposisi Spesies Ikan Karang Di Perairan Desa Bunutan, Kecamatan Abang, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 91
Author(s):  
I Gusti Ngurah Agung Dhananjaya ◽  
I Gede Hendrawan ◽  
Elok Faiqoh
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Target Fish ◽  
Marine Site ◽  
Hard Coral Cover

Bunutan village is located in the Abang Subdistrict, Karangasem Regency, Bali. Marines of Bunutan has a coral reef coverage and reef fish under the water. This study aims to determine the species composition of reef fish in marine of Bunutan. The methods used to take reef fish data is Visual Census along 50 meters transect parallel a coastline at a depth of ±5 meters. Result of this study shows thats abudance of reef fish is about 1513 individual from 68 species and 18 family all around transect. The highest abudance derived from Pomacentridae Family with a total 1055 individual from 22 species founded. The composition of species in Bunutan marine site generally in a good condition with high diversity H’ = 3,188418, uniformity is fairly stable with value E = 0,753032 and with the value of dominance C = 0,069245 or nothing of coral reef fish which dominate each other. In terms of role fish in the sea, reef fish in Bunutan marine site have major fish about 92%, target fish 2% and indicator fish 6%. When relating to the condition of coral reefs in the marines of Bunutan, hard coral cover percentage is on 48.5% to 54.5% thats indicates the condition of coral reefs on moderate to good condition. The condition of coral reefs is utilized by reef fish as a place of refuge, feeding or breeding grounds, causing the species composition of reef fish in the marine of Bunutan on relatively good.

scholarly journals Missing the Reef for the Corals: Unexpected Trends Between Coral Reef Condition and the Environment at the Ecosystem Scale

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric J. Hochberg ◽  
Michelle M. Gierach
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Current Understanding ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Public Data ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Reef Condition

It is incontrovertible that many coral reefs are in various stages of decline and may be unable to withstand the effects of global climate change, jeopardizing vital ecosystem goods and services to hundreds of millions of people around the world. An estimated 50% of the world's corals have already been lost, and those remaining may be lost by 2030 under the “business as usual” CO2 emissions scenario. However, the foundation of these predictions is a surprisingly sparse dataset, wherein ~0.01–0.1% of the world's reef area has been quantitatively surveyed. Further, the available data comprise observations at the 1–10 m scale, which are not evenly spaced across reefs, but often clustered in areas representing focused survey effort. This impedes modeling and predicting the impact of a changing environment at the ecosystem scale. Here we highlight deficiencies in our current understanding of the relationship between coral reefs and their environments. Specifically, we conduct a meta-analysis using estimates of coral cover from a variety of local surveys, quantitatively relating reef condition to a suite of biogeophysical forcing parameters. We find that readily available public data for coral cover exhibit unexpected trends (e.g., a positive correlation between coral cover and multi-year cumulative thermal stress), contrary to prevailing scientific expectations. We illustrate a significant gap in our current understanding, and thereby prediction, of coral reefs at the ecosystem scale that can only be remedied with uniform, high-density data across vast coral reef regions, such as that from remote sensing.

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