11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

18.698
Distribution Of Seagrasses in Coral Reef Area And Their Relationship With Coral
SAYUKO NINOMIYA* 1 , TAKAHIKO INOUE 1 , TERUMASA MORISHIGE 1 ,
YOSHIKATSU NAKANO 2 , Preetica SINGH 3 , YUKA YANO 3 , MAKOTO
TSUCHIYA 3
1 TOKYO KYUEI CO., Ltd, Kawaguchi, Japan, 2 University of the Ryukyus, JAPAN,
Motobu, Japan, 3 University of the Ryukyus, JAPAN, Nishihara, Japan
In Okinawa, southern Japan, well-developed coral reefs are extending, and seagrasses are
growing in moats. In the present study, we observed and analyzed the growths of
seagrasses in some new aspects. While each seagrass species has a characteristic
distribution pattern, the area of distribution is generally restricted by water flow
environment and substrate type. Large waves generated by a typhoon may be turned into
strong currents when passing through the reef crest, and hence seagrass beds of, such as,
Cymodocea serrulata may be peeled off from the sea bottom, reducing their distribution
areas. We, therefore, analyzed critical current speeds regulating the distribution of
seagrasses. In an area where substrate contains rich dead coral gravels, Thalassia
hemprichii, that is considered to adapt to such a substrate, was found to form a stable
meadow. It was also found that live branching coral, Montipora digitata, contributed to
the stability of a seagrass meadow. Further, in areas where the seagrass and the coral
coexisted, symbiotic relationship was observed between them.
18.699
Temporal Overview Of Impact Of The 1997-1998 Mass Bleaching On Recovery Of
Two Palawan Reefs: Outer Bacuit Bay, El Nido (Palawan Shelf), And Off-Shore
Tubbataha (Sulu Sea).
Karen Lou FRANCISCO* 1 , Porfirio ALINO 1 , Miledel Christine QUIBILAN 2 ,
Wilfredo LICUANAN 1,3
1 UP Marine Science Institute, Quezon City, Philippines, 2 Conservation International,
Quezon City, Philippines, 3 Br. Alfred Shields FSC Marine Station, De La Salle
University, Manila, Philippines
Impacts of the 1997-1998 mass-bleaching event can be translated to reduced reproductive
capabilities and contribution of surviving adult coral colonies, affecting chances of
recovery for the coral reef community. For the Palawan shelf reefs of El Nido and the
off-shore reefs of Tubbataha in the Sulu sea, the bleaching event was recorded to
significantly reduce live coral cover. Six to eight years after, there was a significant
difference in recovery rates for both reefs. The diminished, algal-dominated condition of
El Nido's reefs post-bleaching corresponded significantly to reduced density of surviving
recruits/settlers observed in the 10x10x2 concrete blocks markers monitored every 2
years (1998-2004). Observed changes in the adult benthic community were similarly
reflected at small spatial scales (i.e., blocks). Loss or reduction in occurrence of benthic
groups (soft corals) and life forms (coral massive) were observed post-bleaching,
coincided by increased occurrence of rubble, algal assemblage and sponge -- all
representative of an unstable reef environment. Moreover, shifts in relative abundance of
benthic algal groups towards macroalgae and algal assemblages in 2002 and 2004
decreased opportunities for successful coral recruitment. Positive correlations were noted
with adult coral abundance and coral recruit/settler density. Off-shore Tubbataha reefs
(Sulu sea) on the other hand were reported to recover from the mass-bleaching event, as
indicated also by a higher and more diverse block recruit/settler density in 2006. Prebleaching
conditions (i.e., higher coral cover) and relative isolation (from anthropogenic
disturbances) of these reefs could have contributed to its recovery rate. Moreover,
recruits/settlers observed in Tubbataha exhibited higher post-settlement survivorship
and/or faster growth rates than those of the El Nido. In addition, the infrequent
occurrence of disturbances post-bleaching in Tubbataha allowed for its further recovery.
All these factors contributed to the observed difference between the reefs of El Nido and
Tubbataha.
Poster Mini-Symposium 18: Reef Status and Trends
18.700
From Biophysical Research To Mpa Rating – What’s The Trend in South-Cebu’s And
Siquijor’s Mpas?
Martina KELLER* 1,2 , Matthias WOLFF 2,3 , Rizaller C. AMOLO 1
1 Coastal Conservation & Education Foundation (CCEF), Cebu City, Philippines, 2 Center for
Tropical Marine Ecology (ZMT), Bremen, Germany, 3 Charles Darwin Research Station, Quito,
Ecuador
Many local governments recognize no-take marine protected areas (MPAs) as effective tools to
address habitat degradation and loss as well as decline in reef fishery production.
In South-Cebu an Siquijor (Visayas, Philippines) alone are over 50 MPAs assisted by their
LGUs and the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation (CCEF). They were established
to improve marine habitats and increase fishery resources.
But how are their MPAs doing?
This work assesses the data of MPAs from the CCEF Marine Protected Areas Rating and
Database System, provincial governments’ reports and technical reports on the current status of
MPAs in the said region including trends in MPA rating levels, fish density (inside MPA) and
live hard coral cover (inside MPAs) on the reefs off South-Cebu and Siquijor.
50% of the MPAs have an area between 10 and 15ha. Biophysical monitoring data in some
MPAs showed an increasing trend in both coral community and reef fish population.
All data was gathered 2005, 2006 and 2007 through the LGUs with the help of MPA rating and
fishery survey forms, as well as the Research Monitoring Team (REMOTE) of CCEF via
underwater visual census in order to obtain fish density and live hard coral cover data.
18.701
The Distribution, Ecology And Management Status Of Offshore Reef Habitats in Sri
Lanka
NishanPERERA*1,ArjanRAJASURIYA2
1ProjectSeahorse,MountLavinia,SriLanka,
2NationalAquaticResourcesResearchandDevelopmentAgency,Colombo,SriLanka
Sri Lanka has a variety of reef habitats that are categorized based on substrate composition.
While true coral reefs are among the best known, sandstone reefs, rocky habitats, and offshore
coral communities are prominent features within the coastal waters of Sri Lanka and constitute
the most extensive reef and hard bottom habitats in the country. Many of these reefs are located
offshore, at depths greater than 15m. They are distinctly different from other coral reefs in their
habitat and community structure and support diverse faunal and floral communities. Live hard
coral coveron offshore habitats is generally low with most ranging from 1% to about 15% while
a few habitats may contain 30% to 40% hard coralc over. Most corals are massive, sub-massive
and encrusting forms. Fish assemblages tend to be dominated by the families Acanthuridae,
Ceasionidae, Labridae, and Pomacentridae. Relatively large numbers of carangids, lethrinids,
pomacanthids, serranids, and scarids are also present. Therefore these reefs are important for
fisheries, including export oriented spiny lobster fishery and ornamental fishery. However, most
offshore reefs have not been adequately studied and there is limited information on their extent,
biodiversity and ecology. Consequently, they have received less attention in management
efforts and legislation, and are not adequately represented within existing Marine Protected
Areas. In addition, to natural reefs, numerous shipwrecks function as artificia reefs and provide
refuge for diverse faunal assemblages, and along with offshore reefs are important for
recreational diving and tourism. Offshore reefs in Sri Lanka are currently threatened by a
variety of anthropogenic and natural impacts that have lead to habitat degradation and depletion
of fishery resources. An overview of the distribution, ecology, and management status of
offshore reef systems, and the ecological significance of shipwrecks as artificial reefs in Sri
Lanka arepresented.
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