Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000

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Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2000 THE FRENCH CARIBBEAN Guadeloupe The Caribbean coast of Guadeloupe has a narrow island shelf and high levels of volcanic sedimentation, therefore there are no true coral reefs. However, there are most diverse coral communities on the rocky bottoms, particularly around the Pigeon Islets. The Grand Cul-de- Sac Marin in the north is enclosed by a barrier reef, 20km long, which encloses a 10km wide lagoon covering 15,000 ha. This barrier protects extensive seagrass beds in the lagoon and mangroves on the coast from oceanic swells. On the Atlantic coast of the island there are fringing reefs, which are more developed on the eastern part of the Basse-Terre (Petit Culde-Sac Marin). The surrounding islands are either devoid of coral reefs (Les Saintes) or possess narrow fringing reefs (Marie-Galante, La Désirade). A shallow, 3 0m deep island shelf (100 x 70km), has the islands of Saint-Barthélémy, Saint-Martin and Anguilla and several small islets with the bottom covered by sediments, which are periodically resuspended by hurricanes. This resuspension has probably limited the development of coral reefs around Saint-Barthélémy and Saint-Martin, which have only narrow fringing reefs. Martinique Reefs are absent on the leeward side of Martinique from the northwest and west coasts because of the narrow shelf and high levels of volcanic sediments washing off Montagne Pelée. Nevertheless, the rocky bottoms have flourishing coral communities. Fringing reefs are the only types on the west and south coasts near Sainte-Luce. The northern part of the Atlantic coast has no coral reefs from the north to the Presqu’île de la Caravelle, due to the steep slope and volcanic sediments. Around the Presqu’île de la Caravelle, there are some fringing reefs, and further south, a barrier reef system extends for about 25km. The barrier is separated from the shore by a lagoon 3 to 8km wide, with variable depth from a few metres to 30m with extensive seagrass beds. Fringing reefs have developed along the rocky shores behind this barrier. THE NETHERLANDS ANTILLES Bonaire and Curaçao These are small oceanic islands approximately 70km north of Venezuela. They lie on a northwest – southeast axis with the east coasts exposed to persistent trade winds. The shelf around each island is narrow extending up to 300m seawards, then the bottom shelves off steeply onto a sandy terrace at 50–60m, and then drops off again. The islands are surrounded by continuous fringing reefs which are much better developed on the leeward than on the windward shore, particularly in shallow water. 318
Status of Coral Reefs in the Eastern Caribbean STATUS OF CORAL REEF BENTHOS Antigua and Barbuda There has been a recent trend of deterioration as reports from 1986 described the reefs as exceptional in their variety, beauty and health. In 1998, overall reef condition was considered generally poor, with live coral cover averaging 20% or less at all sites examined except the north of Barbuda. For both islands, the offshore reefs have higher coral species richness and abundance than the inshore sites. Turbidity of inshore water and elevated algal cover on reefs are linked to the impacts of coastal development, with sedimentation being a major influence on reef condition. Hurricane Luis in September, 1995 followed by Marilyn two weeks later caused additional stress and damage. Coral bleaching during the 1998- bleaching event was relatively mild. Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines No recent information was available. St. Lucia Live coral cover in 1999 ranged from 31% to 50% at 4 Reef Check sites established in the Soufriere Marine Management Area (SMMA). Bleaching was common in 1998 but did not result in high levels of mortality, however, in November 1999, the unusual track of Hurricane Lenny resulted in severe wave action on the leeward coast of the island, severely damaging coastal infrastructure. A Reef Check survey in Malgretoute in June and December 1999 showed live coral cover had declined from 50% to 25% at 3m depth, and from 35% to 17% at 10m. The site was previously characterised by a high density of the urchin Diadema antillarum and low algal abundance at 3m, but the Hurricane resulted in a decline from 1.4 to 0.1 urchins per m 2 and a proliferation of filamentous algae. Recently there has been an unusually high incidence of white band disease on reefs in the SMMA, resulting in a living coral loss of over 3% between 1997 and 1998. Data from west coast reefs indicate live coral cover frequently greater than 50% prior to the series of storms, beginning with Tropical Storm Debbie in 1994. Sedimentation from that storm reduced coral cover by 50% at some sites, particularly near large river mouths. Grenada During the 1980s many shallow reefs around Grenada and the Grenadines were degraded and became overgrown with algae, presumably resulting from a combination of sewage and agrochemical pollution and sedimentation from coastal development. No recent quantitative data are available on reef status. Montserrat A survey of species richness conducted in 1995 and 1996 identified 37 hard coral species, 17 octocorals, 87 other invertebrates, 3 seagrasses, 67 fish and 37 algae. Live coral cover ranged from 20 to 45%. BVI Overall reef condition remains relatively good, with localised deterioration associated with areas of high population, shoreline development, and rapid growth of marine activities such as yachting, snorkeling and diving. The passage of numerous storms since 1995, and 319
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FOREWORD Over the past few years, I
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CONTENTS COUNTRIES, STATES AND TERR
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COUNTRIES, STATES AND TERRITORIES A
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Countries, States and Territories T
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CLIVE WILKINSON T
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Executive Summary CORAL BLEACHING I
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Executive Summary South Asia Most r
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Executive Summary parts of Fiji and
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Executive Summary management and mo
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Executive Summary tourism developme
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Executive Summary problem is loomin
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6. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN SOUTH A
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Status of Coral Reefs in South Asia
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8. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS OF EAST AN
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Status of Coral Reefs of East and N
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9. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS OF AUSTRAL
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Status of Coral Reefs of Australasi
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10. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE SO
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Status of Coral Reefs in the Southw
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11. STATUS OF SOUTHEAST AND CENTRAL
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Status of Southeast and Central Pac
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12. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS OF AMERIC
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Status of Coral Reefs of American S
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15. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE NO
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Status of Coral Reefs in the Northe
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