Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000

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Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2000 STATUSOFTHECORAL REEFS Most coral reefs in this region have undergone major changes in the last 30 years, particularly during the 1980s. Some of these changes were caused by natural agents (i.e. coral disease outbreaks, bleaching, ENSO events), but others are clearly related to human impacts. There have been considerable losses of live coral cover in many reef areas and recovery has occurred in only a few places. In contrast, marine algae are now very abundant, and dominate many reef surfaces. Diseases of corals and other benthic animals (gorgonians, sea urchins) appear to have increased dramatically and are now common on Caribbean reefs. Mass mortalities of dominant species, such us the Acropora spp. in Caribbean reefs, and other branching and foliose corals, have resulted in significant changes to coral community composition in many shallow water reefs. 1970s 1980s 1990s 1st half 2nd half 1st half 2nd half 1st half 2nd half A. Caribbean reef sites • Cahuita (Costa Rica) ? ? 40%(1980) ? 10%(1993) 3%(1999) • Kuna-Yala, San Blas (Panamá) ? ? 40%(1983) 22%(1988) 15%(1993) 13%(1997) • SW Isla de San Andrés (Colombia) 75%* - ? ? ? ? 39%(1992) 26%(1999) • NE Bahía de Chengue (Colombia) ? ? 53%(1985) ? 34%(1993) 35%(1999) • Playa Caimán, Morrocoy (Venezuela) ? ? ? ? 43%(1995) 5%(1996) B. Pacific reef sites • Isla del Caño (Costa Rica) ? ? 33%(1984) 50%(1989) ? 10%(1999) • Isla Gorgona (Colombia) ? 70%(1979) 15%(1983) 50%(1989) 78%(1995) 56%(1999) • Isla Malpelo (Colombia) 65%(1972) ? ? ? ? 45%(1999) • Ensenada de Utría (Colombia) ? ? ? 33%(1989) ? 33%(1996) Comparisons of percent live coral cover over the last three decades at several reef localities of southern tropical America clearly indicate the decline in many areas, particularly the Caribbean (* calculated using a 36% of recent coral mortality estimated in 1992; ?, no data). Brazil There have been no coral reef monitoring programmes until now, thus there is little information about the status and recent changes of the reefs. Most nearshore reefs show clear signs of degradation and only those reefs in areas with low urban development are still pristine. These include those in the northeastern Tamandaré area, around Camamu Bay in the State of Bahia, and offshore reefs on the continental shelf. The only recent natural disturbance was coral bleaching reported in 1993 in São Paulo, and the 1998 coral bleaching in north Bahia and Abrolhos with low levels of coral mortality. Bleaching levels of 80% or more were reported in important species such us Agaricia agaricites, Mussismilia hispida, and Porites astreoides. Costa Rica There is evidence of a dramatic reef decline at Cahuita Natural Park along the Caribbean coast, which is the only site with long-term data. Live coral cover decreased from 40% in the early 1980s to 10% in the mid 1990s. CARICOMP reported only 3% coral cover 1999, 334
Status of Coral Reefs in Southern Tropical America with algae the dominant bottom cover (60%). Coral cover at other Caribbean sites was also low (5-10%) and has been that way since the 1980s. Reefs near Punta Mona are still considered healthy. There was extensive bleaching and subsequent mortality on some Pacific reefs during the 1982-1983 El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event, such that reefs at Isla del Caño lost up to 50% of their living coral and coral cover at Isla del Coco was reduced to less than 5%. There was extensive bleaching again in the 1992 and the 1997-98 ENSO events, but coral mortality was low. Severe phytoplankton blooms also affected reefs at Isla del Caño in 1985, which caused a mass coral mortality down to 3m depth. There has also been coral mortality from exposure during extreme low tides at Isla del Caño. However, most coral reefs on the Costa Rican Pacific coast are in good condition with live coral cover averaging above 40%, based on measurements at Santa Elena, Bahía Culebra, Península de Osa and Golfo Dulce during the 1990s. Colombia There are distinct signs of damage to coral communities at all Columbian reef areas during the last 3 decades, but especially during the 1980s. Major reef degradation occurred on both Pacific and Caribbean coasts, including remote continental and oceanic reef areas, as well as reefs near urban centres. The mean coral cover is generally around 20-30% for most Caribbean reefs, whereas algae are dominant (40-70% cover). It is thought that both natural and anthropogenic stresses have caused the overall degradation of Columbia’s reefs. Coral mortality levels around 50% were observed in the 1990s on the oceanic Caribbean island of San Andrés (which is a densely populated area) but similar levels were noted for 60 Bahía Bahia de de Chengue -– Colombia Percent Cover (%) 50 40 30 20 10 0 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 HARD CORALS ALGAE Variations in coral and algae cover between1993 and 1999 in reef communities at 9-12m depth of the eastern side of Bahía de Chengue (Parque Natural Tayrona), Caribbean Colombia. 335
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Status of Coral Reefs of the World:
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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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Page 375: LIST OF ACRONYMS AGRRA AIMS ASEAN B
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