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 ◽  
...  

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.

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Pizarro ◽  
Sara C Rodríguez ◽  
Mateo López-Victoria ◽  
Fernando A Zapata ◽  
Sven Zea ◽  
...  

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.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Pizarro ◽  
Sara C Rodríguez ◽  
Mateo López-Victoria ◽  
Fernando A Zapata ◽  
Sven Zea ◽  
...  

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.


Author(s):  
Robert Towoliu

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.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana López-Angarita ◽  
María del Pilar Restrepo Orjuela ◽  
Katherine Guzmán Peña ◽  
Dairo Escobar

AbstractParrotfish (Family Scaridae) are a family of herbivorous fishes crucial to coral reef health, particularly for Caribbean reefs due to their declining coral cover. However, despite parrotfish are fully protected in some countries, they are still heavy fished in most of their Caribbean range. The consequences of this targeted fishery in the Colombian Caribbean are not fully understood due to a lack of local conservation and management resources. This research aimed to evaluate and enhance the conservation status and protection of parrotfish among local communities in the National Natural Park Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo. Underwater visual census surveys (UVC) were undertaken to evaluate reef fish community structure, and participatory education campaigns and activities were carried out with local communities to raise awareness about parrotfish ecology and their functional role in conserving Caribbean coral reef ecosystems of Colombia. UVC showed parrotfish to be dominant in the fish community, yet there was evidence of exploitation of large adults by selective fishing. Conflicts exist between the community and environmental authorities because fishing regulations are not clear, and the level of enforcement is insufficient. Parrotfish are sold to tourists, as ‘red snapper’ to fulfil high seafood demand since commercially valuable fish are now scarce. However, following intensive awareness-raising activities developed as part of this study, the community has started to recognize the vital ecological role of parrotfish in coral reef systems, and are suggesting a redrafting of fishing legislation by the environmental authorities, in order to recognise and incorporate the traditional fishing rights of human communities living within the MPA. Lobbying for the protection of parrotfish and inclusion of local communities in decision-making will take time, but this research represents the crucial first steps towards sustainable practice and cooperative alliances in the Colombian Caribbean.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 374-385
Author(s):  
Maulana Cahya Widhiatmoko ◽  
Hadi Endrawati ◽  
Nur Taufiq-SPJ

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.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fakhrizal Setiawan ◽  
Sonny Tasidjawa ◽  
Efra Wantah ◽  
Hendri Johanis

<p align="center"><strong><em>ABSTRACT</em></strong></p><p><em>There are </em><em>some marine sanctuaries (DPL) which are managed together by its societies in North Minahasa regency. From 19 villages with DPL, we conducted surveys using point intercept transect in 14 villages both inside and outside DPL in the subdistrict West Likupang and East Likupang, North Minahasa. Result showed that l</em><em>ive coral cover was in general in moderate to excellent conditions both inside and outside DPL. Reef fish recorded in the study areas consisted of 267 reef fish species which categorized into 40 families. Bahoi village had the highest abundance and biomass within the DPL due to a very good condition of coral reef ecosystemn (&gt;75% coral cover) both inside and outside DPL. Biomass of reef fish outside DPL of Bahoi was small but its abundance was the highest. This conditions indicated that the size of reef fish outside of Bahoi DPL was small and this gave a positive perspective to supply fishes into the outside region of Bahoi DPL. Overall, marine sanctuary in North Minahasa contained reef fish community structure in good condition, moderate diversity, relatively labile of evenness index, and low dominance. </em><em>Grouping</em><em> by similarity, reef fish species were generally similar in all locations. The separation of DPL locations produced some different fishes group due to its different location, oceanographic conditions, and characters.</em><em></em></p><p> </p><p><strong><em>Keywords</em></strong><em>: Marine sanctuary, reef fish community, North Minahasa.</em></p>


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suryono Suryono ◽  
Edi Wibowo ◽  
Raden Ario ◽  
Nur Taufiq SPJ ◽  
Ria Azizah

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


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 91
Author(s):  
I Gusti Ngurah Agung Dhananjaya ◽  
I Gede Hendrawan ◽  
Elok Faiqoh

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.


2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 23
Author(s):  
Angreini Oktarina ◽  
Eni Kamal ◽  
Suparno Suparno

Coral reef ecosystems are essential for the survival of marine life, but the presence of coral reef are declined and decayed.Methods used in this study was a survey method. To retrieve the condition of coral cover using the line intercept transectwhile to determine management strategies using SWOT analysis. The average percentage of coral cover in 8 point researchstations at 50.10% are still in the good condition, which is in the north 3 m depth 53.51%, north 7 m depth 68.14%, east 3 mdepth 93.29%, east 7 m depth 15.93%, south 3 m depth 75.17%, south 7 m depth 20.53%, west 3 m depth 41.50%, and west7 m depth 32.79%. The strategies for coral reef ecosystem management, among others: 1) community-based management, 2)forming Kelompok Masyarakat Pengawas (Pokmaswas) institutions, 3) establish in Panjang Island as a marine conservationareas, 4) Ko-Management-based, 5) effort to improve the economy in order to support the increased knowledge of theimportance of conservation and management of coral reef ecosystem.


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