11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

18.624
Environmental Endocrine Disruptors: A “real” And Growing Concern Affecting
Coral Reefs
Brian SHMAEFSKY* 1
1 Biology, Kingwood College, Kingwood, TX
Coastal regions located near coral reefs have seen unprecedented human population
growth over the past fifteen years. With this growth comes an increase in agriculture,
manufacturing and commercial entities contributing to air and water pollutants that make
their way into coral reef water. Many of the pollutants contributing to the environmental
degradation are suspect compounds called endocrine disruptors.
Current research shows that many common pesticides and industrial pollutants are found
in coral reefs worldwide and may act as endocrine disruptors on coral reef animals.
Endocrine disruptors have been correlated with developmental and reproductive defects
in wildlife. Invertebrates are particularly sensitive and are used as models for endocrine
disrupter studies. Research on laboratory animals shows that these compounds bind to
estrogen receptors and either stimulate or inhibit estrogen’s effects. Endocrine disruptors
have been linked to higher incidents of breast cancer in women and decreased sperm
counts in men. An increase in developmental defects in humans is attributed to high
levels of endocrine disruptors in the environment.
The endocrine disruptor concern is viewed by some as “unfounded hype” by a small
group of researchers. In contrast, the issue has become an important focus for the EPA
and international environmental agencies abroad. The prevalence of pollutants shown to
have endocrine disruptor capability makes it an issue conservationists must address.
Watersheds that feed into coral reefs are highly susceptible to the accumulation of
endocrine disruptors.
This presentation will provide a synopsis of environmental endocrine disruptor research.
It will show the status of epidemiological studies and laboratory research pertinent coral
reef environmental quality. A brief lesson on the mode of action of endocrine disruptors
will be presented as well as ample on-line references about endocrine disruptors.
18.625
Patterns in Southeast Florida Coral Reef Community Composition
Melissa SATHE* 1 , David GILLIAM 1 , Richard DODGE 1 , Louis FISHER 2
1 National Coral Reef Institute, Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center,
Dania Beach, FL, 2 Broward County Environmental Protection Department, Plantation,
FL, FL
The Southeast (SE) Florida coral reef system is the northern extension of the Florida reef
tract. This high latitude system lies offshore a heavily populated and urbanized coast and
therefore is affected by numerous environmental and anthropogenic stressors. Using
annual monitoring data collected since 2000, the southeast Florida reef community was
analyzed to investigate patterns in community composition as they relate to habitat and
depth. All data was collected by SCUBA divers conducting 30m2 belt transect surveys at
24 sites offshore Broward County, SE Florida within a depth range of 6 to 18 meters.
The 24 sites occur on five different reef habitat types: shallow colonized pavement,
shallow ridge, linear inner reef, linear middle reef, and linear outer reef. Stony coral data
included species colony size, density, diversity, percent cover, and mortality. Sponge and
octocoral density were collected to gather a more complete picture of community
composition. Multivariate analyses indicate that the reef community on the shallow ridge
habitat statistically differs from the linear middle and outer reef communities. When
comparing functional group densities, sponge density (versus stony coral and octocoral
densities) is an important factor driving this difference with a higher density on the linear
reef habitats. Specific species differences in stony coral cover and density were identified
among reef habitats. The stony corals, Montastraea cavernosa and Stephanocoenia
intersepta, are two important species contributing to differences among the reef habitats.
Both species contribute more to stony coral cover and density on the linear middle and
outer reefs than the shallow ridge habitat. A complete understanding of local reef
community composition is crucial for optimizing restoration and overall management of
the reef resources.
Poster Mini-Symposium 18: Reef Status and Trends
18.626
In-Water Observation Of Immature Green (Chelonia Mydas) And Hawksbill
(Eretmochelys Imbricate) Turtles in The Marine Environment Of St. Kitts, Lesser
Antilles.
Maureen SULLIVAN* 1 , Raphaela STIMMELMAYR* 2 , Vajai LATCHMAN 3
1 St.Kitts Reef Ecology Watchgroup, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, 2 Ross University
Veterinary School, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, 3 Kenneth Dive Center, Basseterre, Saint
Kitts and Nevis
St. Kitts is a significant nesting destination for hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and green
turtles (Chelonia mydas). Year around sightings of immature hawksbill and green turtles
suggest that local reefs and sea grass beds are important nursery areas for these species. As part
of a larger marine ecosystem survey project (2006-2007), sightings of sea turtles have been
recorded during roving snorkel (day), dive (night/day), and boat (day) surveys. Data collected
includes species, estimated straight carapace length (cm), location, time of day, and their inwater
behavior (resting, swimming, assisted resting, foraging, surfacing). At present, a total of
69 turtle sightings have been recorded. The majority of sea turtles sighted were immature with
estimated carapace length 20-60 cm. Hawksbill turtles are predominant, with very few green
turtles observed. Turtles engaged in assisted resting (n=14) were primarily observed during
night (n=9) and afternoon (n=4) with only one morning observation; resting was observed
primarily during morning (n=5) followed by afternoon (n=2), and one during the night;
swimming (n=33) was observed on all time points (morning: n=15; night: n=12), but less often
in the afternoon (n=6). Foraging was only observed once. Our preliminary results clearly
indicate that St. Kitts' near shore environments are important nurseries for hawksbills. The
observed difference in timing of specific in water turtle behavior is intriguing; however, more
samples will be needed to see if the unequal distribution will hold. This is the first long-term in
water assessment survey of sea turtles in St. Kitts. Sea turtle sighting data will be shared with
REEF.org.
18.627
Coral Reef Fishes in The Near Shore Marine Environment Of St. Kitts, Lesser Antilles.
Maureen SULLIVAN* 1 , Gwen TOUZOT-JOURDE 2 , Raphaela STIMMELMAYR 2
1 St.Kitts Reef Ecology Watchgroup, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, 2 Ross University
Veterinary School, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
Healthy near shore marine environments are important for local tourism industry and artisanal
fisheries. Agricultural runoff, soil erosion, over harvesting, boat anchoring, marine sewage
treatment and extreme weather events can all have the potential to severely impact these fragile
marine ecosystems. St. Kitts is facing numerous challenges to their coastal and near shore
marine environment on the southeast peninsula due to marine resource harvests, tourism,
commercial and residential development, environmental pollution, and natural disasters. As part
of a larger marine ecosystem survey project, fish species and abundance were recorded during
roving diver/snorkel surveys (n=100; 2006-2007). Coral reef fish community composition differ
between different coral reef sites. For the majority of sites herbivores dominant the composition
with few groupers present. The latter in particular hinds are intensively harvested by artisanal
fisheries. This is the first comprehensive baseline study on coral reef fish diversity and
abundance for the marine environment of St. Kitts. Data will be shared with REEF.org.
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