11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

18.620
Effect Of Change in Biophysical Parameters On Status, Health And Distribution Of
Corals Reefs in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Wandoor (India)
Mani SAXENA* 1 , Alok SAXENA 2 , Ramesh CHANDRA SRIVASTAVA 3
1 Biotechnology, Central Agriculture Research Institute, Port Blair, India, 2 Department of
Environment & Forests, Government of India, Port Blair, India, 3 Director, Central
Agriculture Research Institute, Port Blair, India
Situated in the South Andaman, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Wandoor has
always attracted researchers for its rich marine biodiversity particularly. MGMNP has a
total area of 281.5 km2 of which land area is only 61.5 km2 belonging to 15 islands
within the boundary of MGMNP. Different estimates of number of coral species found in
MGMNP are available. Study carried out by Department of Ocean Development (DOD)
in 2003 showed maximum number of coral species as 58 around Jollybuoy Island while
Kulkarni et. al., (2004) recorded 126 species of coral in this Marine National Park.
Kulkarni et. al., also recorded various biophysical parameters like salinity and
sedimentation rate and studied effect of these parameters on distribution and live coral
coverage. The Tsunami which struck this area in December 2004 caused a lot of
mortality in the coral cover in this area. It has resulted in shrinking of beaches in some
islands while new beaches have developed in other islands. The sedimentation has
affected coral adversely. However, the corals are now recovering and recovery is very
fast around some Islands. In the present study, biophysical parameters of the sea waters
like pH, salinity, sedimentation rate, visibility etc at selected sites have been studied
along with the richness of species, distribution pattern and mortality. The initial results
show that while diversity of coral reefs has gone down considerably around Jollybuoy
and Redskin islands, it has improved considerably at Chester Island. The live coral
coverage has increased particularly that of Acropora around Grub Island. The changes
are found to be mainly due to variation in sedimentation rate.
18.621
Lack Of Coral Reef Resilience in Mpas Of Andaman And Nicobar Islands, India
R. JEYABASKARAN* 1
1 Marine Aquarium and Research Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Digha, India
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands reefs were unaffected by the year 1998 bleaching
event and 2004 tsunami caused damage to coral reefs. Extensive post tsunami surveys
were made recently in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) of Andamans, Mahatma Gandhi
Marine National Park (MGMNP) and Rani Jhansi Marine National Park (RJMNP)
accordingly Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve (GNBR) of Nicobars. The result showed
the decrease of live coral cover from 60% on the year 1999 to 48% in RJMNP and from
51% to 38% in MGMNP. Nevertheless, the scleractinian coral diversity remains
unchanged with the presence of 129 species belongs to 44 genera in RJMNP and 115
species belong to 40 genera in MGMNP. The Porites spp were the dominant life form
category in Andamans with 52% occurrence followed by Acropora spp with 20%.
Maximum number of 95 species belongs to 37 genera were reported from Jolly Buoy
Island which is one of the tourist destination of MGMNP. The Grub Island of MGMNP
was unaffected by the tsunami surge, heavily affected by the strong waves prevailed
during May 2007. In the year 1999, 54.5% of live coral cover with the presence of 81
species belongs to 31 genera were recorded in GNBR. Among the live corals Acropora
spp were dominant with 58% occurrence next to Montipora spp of 11%. Recent survey
result showed the subsistence of few colonies of Porites spp in GNBR which was under
severe stress. Almost all coral reefs were degraded in GNBR and recovery will not be
possible. The other factors related to lack of coral reef resilience are discussed in the
paper.
Poster Mini-Symposium 18: Reef Status and Trends
18.622
Beyond Valuation: Using Integrated Social, Economic, And Environmental Indicators To
Monitor Reef Management And Environmental Change
Linwood PENDLETON* 1
1 Coastal Ocean Values Center, The Ocean Foundation, North Sandwich, NH
To date, nearly 200 valuation studies have been conducted for coral reefs around the world
(Brander et al. 2007). These studies have demonstrated the value of reefs and the distribution of
these values across users and reef types. Meta-analyses of valuation studies and cross-sectional
valuations have attempted to show how attributes of reefs and reef management may affect
these values. Valuation studies, however, are not well-suited as means of empirically
demonstrating the economic value of environmental change, management, and other timevarying
factors. Using data from 3 estuaries in California, we show how simple yet integrated
economic, demographic, and environmental indicators can be used to isolate the effects of
management and environmental change from other factors. We show how historical narrative
can be used to analyze data from a single site while panel data methods can leverage even more
analytical information when multiple sites are analyzed together. We argue that the time is
right to turn our attention to non-valuation sorts of economic data collection for coral reefs to
better understand the economic importance of reefs and the economic effects of management,
climate change, pollution and other factors.
18.623
Coral status in St. Martin Island, Bangladesh.
Mohammad Zahirul ISLAM* 1 , Mohammad Sazedul ISLAM 2
1 Marine Conservation, Marinelife Alliance, comilla, Bangladesh, 2 Marine Conservation,
WCRC, comilla, Bangladesh
Coral reef could not be established due to high turbidity during a major period in St. Martin
Island of Bangladesh. 66 species of corals have been identified under 22 genera with 15
families of sclerectinian. Large rocks substrate invites fair recruitment of juveniles observed
those are subject to frequent overturning by storm surges. MarineLife Alliance and WCRC
conducted coral survey by Manta Tow, Line Intercept Transect (LIT) and ReefCheck Methods
during 2005-2007. Dominant hard coral genera are Porites, Favites, Goniopora, Cyphastrea and
Goniastrea. The Porites was the most abundant in terms of coverage. The live coral colonies are
visible and can be seen along the lower intertidal particularly during low spring tide. The same
greater forms present in subtidal up to 400-1000 meter. The entire boulder substrate has coral
growth. Coral bleaching has been observed during 1998 onwards and COT has never been
spotted. The SST & salinity fluctuate between 240C –280C and 33-38 PPT. The eastern and
southern side of Cheradia 6 genera of hard corals are present but surface area coverage was only
4-6 % at northern portion and 7-8 % at east Cheradia zone at about 4- 8 meter depth where
Acropora is dominant. At the west of Cheradia coral bed observed 400-500 meter westward and
density were 6 - 7 %. Further north near the Barashilerbadth (Northwest rocky shoal) coral are
denser, diverse and occupy about 10-15 % area. In general sub tidal zone up to 200 meters
seaward almost all rocky substrate supports diverse coral communities. Small coral colonies
and recruitments growths are present in the intertidal rock pools at lower portion. The
abundance of coral coverage is low in the whole marine area. The density measured as 1-5
colonies/square meter measures in some quadrate data in deferent areas where the coral are
more abundant.
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