11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

18.686
Resilience of a Red Sea Fringing Coral Reef under Extreme Environmental
Conditions: A Four-Year Study
Zaki MOUSTAFA* 1 , Pamela HALLOCK 2
1 Unaffiliated, West Palm Beach, FL, 2 College of Marine Science, University of South
Florida, St Petersburg, FL
A four-year study, which began in summer 2004, collected the first comprehensive time
series of measurements from a 0.5 km x 0.1 km fringing reef in the Gulf of Suez (29 o 32'
N and 32 o 24' E), Red Sea. This reef occurs near the northernmost extreme latitude for
sub-tropical coral reefs. Corals here are exposed to daily water-temperature changes of
2-4 o C, and seasonal variations that exceed 15-20 o C. Salinities are among the highest ever
recorded on a reef, ranging between 44 and 45 psu. The reef has been subjected to many
new stresses over the past four years, including a newly built major shipping port, rapid
coastal urbanization, bleaching, and an oil spill in 2005. Annual reef surveys include
random photo quadrats plus fish and coral video transects, supported by a suite of
environmental measurements. Results indicate that between 2005 and 2007 there was a
statistically significant decrease in reef-health indicators, including a 50% increase in
dead and diseased coral, a 58% increase in sea urchins, and decreases in biodiversity and
sediment constituent indices, fish abundance, and water quality. Of the approximately 40
known coral species hardy enough to survive in this region, six species make up 94% of
the reef’s coral cover. Given the extreme natural environmental conditions in which this
fringing reef has thrived, the resilience of this community appears to be very high.
Unfortunately, this reef and others in the area are now threatened by local anthropogenic
impacts. This study establishes a reference point for comparison with similar reefs and
will be key to any future conservation and restoration efforts in the area.
18.687
Assessment Of Contaminants in Honolua Bay, Maui: Threat For Coral Reef
Organisms?
Laetitia HEDOUIN* 1 , Marc METIAN 1 , Ruth D. GATES 1
1 Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii, Kaneohe, HI
A decline in coral cover in Honolua Bay, Maui, Hawaii, has been reported over the last
10 years. Increasing human activities in the Honolua watershed associated with
discharges of sediments from the stream may represent an important threat to this reef
ecosystem. High levels of Ni, Co, Cr, and Mn are measurable in sediments from Honolua
Bay (e.g. up to 464 μg Ni g -1 dwt) as compared to other Hawaiian watersheds (e.g.
Molokai, Oahu, < 27 μg Ni g -1 dwt) and these concentrations are high enough to elicit
adverse biological effects in reef ecosystem. The goals of this work were to determine 1)
if the presence of contaminants in Honolua Bay is related to natural and/or anthropogenic
sources and 2) whether or not the contaminants are bio-available to the reef biota.
Concentrations of Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn were evaluated in reef
organisms and sediments from Honolua and adjacent bays in the West Maui region. A
clear gradient of Ni, Co, Cr and Mn concentrations was observed in sediments from
different stations in Honolua Bay; this gradient was not observed in the tissues of marine
organisms, where concentrations were uniformly low. These results suggest that the
presence of high levels of Ni, Co, Cr and Mn in the sediments of Honolua Bay is
mineralogically-controlled and that they are not bio-available to the reef biota. However,
high levels of arsenic were detected in the muscles of fish from Honolua Bay suggesting
that this contaminant is bio-available in this area. The source of this contaminant is
currently under investigation.
Poster Mini-Symposium 18: Reef Status and Trends
18.688
Elkhorn Coral Distribution and Condition Throughout the Puerto Rican Archipelago
Michelle SCHÄRER* 1 , Michael NEMETH 1 , Abel VALDIVIA 2 , Dana WILLIAMS 2 , Margaret
MILLER 3 , Carlos DIEZ 4
1 Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, 2 RSMAS,
University of Miami, Miami, FL, 3 Southeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA, Miami, FL,
4 Office of Protected Species, Puerto Rico DNER, San Juan, Puerto Rico
The Puerto Rican archipelago contains the greatest extension of Elkhorn coral in the US
Caribbean. Accurately determining the current status of this threatened species is difficult due
to the lack of baseline information, species specific monitoring and site specific demographic
data. This study assessed the current distribution, abundance and condition of Acropora
palmata in six marine protected areas (MPA) in order to establish a demographic monitoring
program. Large-scale surveys were initially conducted throughout potential A. palmata habitat
using a random sampling approach guided by GIS of bathymetry and benthic habitat. Circular
plots of 100 m2 (N=431) were used to quantify colony density, size distribution and condition.
Average colony density per MPA ranged from 1.3 to 14.3 col/100m2 and was significantly
higher at two west coast sites (Tres Palmas and Arrecifes de Tourmaline). Based on this
information, nine permanent plots (150 m2) were established (6 on the west and 3 on the east
coast) to monitor temporal variation in demographic variables (following a standardized
protocol currently implemented in Florida and other Caribbean locations). West coast sites
showed lower predatory snail incidence when compared to east coast sites. However, average
live percentage per colony was the highest (85%) in Arrecifes de la Cordillera (east coast).
Recent mortality due to diseases was highest in Canal Luis Peña (Culebra, east coast), while
recent mortality caused by the boring sponge Cliona tenuis was only observed on the west
coast. Overall the incidence of WBD was low (0.5% of colonies) suggesting the population in
Puerto Rico is healthier than in the upper Florida Keys, where hurricanes and diseases have
caused significant mortality. Spatially distinct assessments at the regional level would be useful
in order to clearly understand population trends and response to recovery actions.
18.689
Comparison Between Digital And High Definition Video Formats in Coral Video
Monitoring.
Rob WAARA* 1 , Judd PATTERSON 1 , Matt PATTERSON 1 , Andrea ATKINSON 1 , Brian
WITCHER 1 , Andy DAVIS 2 , Jeff MILLER 2
1 2
South Florida/Caribbean Network, National Park Service, Miami, FL, South
Florida/Caribbean Network, National Park Service, St John, Virgin Islands (U.S.)
Since 1997 the South Florida/Caribbean Inventory & Monitoring Network (SFCN) of the
National Park Service has been using underwater video transects collected using Digital Video
(DV) cameras in underwater housings for the monitoring of the coral reefs in its network
National Parks and Monuments. Advancements in technology have produced additional tools to
be used in coral reef monitoring. The development of High Definition Video (HDV) is one of
these new tools. The increased image quality, through higher resolution and contrast of the
HDV format raises the question of whether the transition to HDV videography for monitoring
coral reefs will produce different results from DV.
In the fall of 2007 SFCN began evaluating the use of HDV cameras for use in its coral
monitoring program. A side-by-side comparison between DV and HDV was conducted to
evaluate the ability to produce a similar image “footprint” with HDV to historical DV format,
and determine whether enhanced image quality of HDV translated into increased benthic
identifications. As with the change of any method in a long-term monitoring program the
introduction of HDV has raised many questions and concerns. This study gives a comparison
between HDV and DV formats based on video quality, coverage area, and over all cost
effectiveness. Other aspects that are compared are the overall percent coverage of the reef biota
by videotaping same site transects and comparing the data collected using each format type.
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