scholarly journals CONDICIÓN DE ARRECIFES DE CORAL SOMETIDOS A PRESIONES NATURALES RECIENTES: BAJOS DE SANCHO PARDO, CUBA

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Hansel Caballero ◽  
Pedro M. Alcolado
Keyword(s):  
Coral Species ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Coral Disease ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Biological Indicators ◽  
Maximum Diameter ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Coral Communities ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Different Levels

Se evaluó la condición de la barrera de coral de los Bajos de Sancho Pardo (NW Cuba), área alejada de acciones antrópicas (excepto sobrepesca), pero que ha sufrido un período de frecuencia de huracanes, brotes de enfermedades y eventos de blanqueamiento de corales. En agosto del 2010 se aplicó la metodología de muestreo AGRRA en comunidades de corales de tres estaciones en las crestas, tres en las zonas traseras y 15 en el frente de arrecifes. Se identificaron 32 especies de corales, considerando solo colonias mayores de 10 cm de diámetro máximo. Los indicadores biológicos analizados sugieren cierta heterogeneidad en lascondiciones medioambientales y diferentes grados de resiliencia de los corales ante los disturbios naturales. El cubrimiento vivo medio de coral fue de 23% en las crestas, 27% en las zonas traseras y 9% en los arrecifes frontales. La densidad media lineal de corales fue de 8 colonias/10 m en las crestas, 11 colonias/10 m en las zonas traseras y 5 colonias/10 m en los arrecifes frontales. Se observó mortalidad reciente por enfermedades activas. La mortalidad antigua fue mayor en las zonas traseras y en las crestas, a causa aparentementede la mayor influencia de los huracanes por la menor profundidad. Los arrecifes estuvieron perturbados por cubrimiento importante de algas carnosas supuestamente por un insuficiente nivel de herbivorismo. ABSTRACT The condition of the barrier reef in Bajos de Sancho Pardo (NW Cuba) was assessed. This area is located far from anthropogenic disturbances (except overfishing) and has suffered a period of frequent hurricanes, coral disease outbreaks, and coral bleaching events. In August 2010, the AGRRA sampling methodology was applied to 21 coral communities;three crest stations, three rear zones, and 15 fore reef stations. Thirty-two coral species were identified, considering only colonies larger than 10 cm maximum diameter. The biological indicators analyzed suggest some degree of heterogeneity of environmental conditions and different levels of coral resiliency to natural disturbances. Average live coral cover was 23% on reef crests, 27% on back reefs and 9% on fore reefs. Average coral linear density was 8 colonies/10 m on reef crests, 11 colonies/10 m on back reefs and 5 colonies/10 m on fore reefs. Recent mortality was observed resulting from active diseases. Old mortality was higher in back reefs and reef crests, apparently due to the higher influence of hurricanes due to their shallow depths. Reefs were disturbed by a significant fleshy algae cover provably due to low levels of herbivory.

scholarly journals CONDICIÓN DE LOS ARRECIFES DE CORAL FRENTE A COSTAS CON ASENTAMIENTOS HUMANOS Y APORTES TERRÍGENOS: EL CASO DEL LITORAL HABANERO, CUBA

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hansel Caballero ◽  
Pedro M. Alcolado ◽  
Aloyma Semidey
Keyword(s):  
Coral Cover ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Biological Indicators ◽  
Maximum Diameter ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Diadema Antillarum ◽  
Density Maximum ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
Coral Communities ◽  
Evenness Indices

Se evaluó la condición de los arrecifes de coral del norte de las provincias habaneras (NW Cuba), área con influencia variable de asentamientos humanos y de aporte  terrígeno, con la aplicación de indicadores biológicos del bentos de la metodología AGRRA: cubrimiento vivo de coral; densidad, diámetro máximo, mortalidad reciente y antigua, y reclutamiento  de corales duros; densidad de erizos Diadema antillarum; y cubrimiento por macroalgas. Se muestrearon las comunidades de corales de 11 sitios de crestas arrecifales y 22 de arrecifes frontales durante el año 2004. Se calcularon los índices de heterogeneidad de Shannon y de equitatividad de Pielou. Se identificaron 33 especies de corales (mayores de 10). Hubo diferencias significativas entre sitios en los indicadores biológicos analizados que sugieren una marcada heterogeneidad en las condiciones medioambientales a lo largo de la zona de estudio. El cubrimiento medio de coral vivo en las crestas fue de 28% y en los arrecifes frontales, de 21%. La densidad media en las crestas fue de 9 colonias/10 m, mientras que en los arrecifes más profundos, 12 colonias/10 m. Se observaron poca mortalidad reciente y bajos porcentajes de corales enfermos. La mortalidad antigua se debe aparentemente a la acumulación histórica de afectaciones, tanto naturales como antrópicas. Los arrecifes estuvieron perturbados además por cubrimientos significativos de macroalgas carnosas aparentemente causados por una combinación de exceso de nutrientes e insuficiente herbivorismo. Se encontraron arrecifes en buenas condiciones posiblemente dado por cierto nivel de heterotrofía favorecido por enriquecimiento de materia orgánica particulada proveniente de  tierra.Coral reef condition north of the Havanan provinces (NW Cuba), an area with variable influence from human settlements and runoff, was assessed using the AGRRA methodology’s benthic biological indicators: live coral cover, coral density, maximum colony diameter, old and recent coral mortality, coral recruitment, Diadema antillarum density, and macroalgae cover. Coral communities at 11 reef crest and 22 forereef sites were sampled during 2004. The Shannon heterogenety and Pielou evenness indices were calculated. A total of 33 species of coral, larger than 10 cm in maximum diameter, were identified. The biological indicators analyzed showed significant differences among sites, which suggest a marked heterogeneity in environmental conditions along the study area. The average live coral cover was 28% on crests, and 21% on forereefs. The average densities were 9 colonies/10 m in crests, and 12 colonies/10 m in the deeper sites. Little recent mortality and low diseased coral percentages were observed. Old mortality is apparently due to the historical accumulation of both natural and anthropogenic effects. Reefs were also perturbed by considerable fleshy macroalgal cover, apparently a consequence of both excess of nutrients and insufficient herbivory. Reefs in good condition were found possibly due to some level of heterotophy from organic matter enrichment derived from land sources. 

scholarly journals Coral communities condition in varying wave exposure: the gulf of Cazones, Cuba

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hansel Caballero Aragon ◽  
Pedro M Alcolado ◽  
Néstor Rey-Villiers ◽  
Susana Perera Valderrama ◽  
Juliett González Méndez
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Community Structure ◽  
Marine Protected Area ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Coral Community ◽  
Wave Exposure ◽  
Maximum Diameter ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Coral Mortality ◽  
Coral Communities

Wave exposure can influence community structure and distribution of shallow coral reefs, by affecting organisms both directly and indirectly. To assess the current stony coral community condition under different degrees of wave exposure at a marine protected area of the Gulf of Cazones (SW Cuba), two expeditions were carried out in May 2010 and June 2012. Four sampling sites were sampled at reef crests (1.5 m deep), and twelve at fore-reefs, at 10, 15 and 20 m deep in four geographic locations. Live coral cover, species richness and composition, colony density, and maximum diameter were assessed using the AGRRA 2001 methodology. Multivariate and non-parametric statistics were applied to compare sites. The coral community structure within reef crests was not homogenous. The observed variability of indicators apparently was determined by great coral mortality events resulting from natural disturbances that occurred in the past (hurricanes, bleaching and diseases). Fore-reef coral communities displayed better condition and lower coral mortality than reef crests. Species richness and coral composition varied, while multivariate and statistical methods did not reveal site grouping with regard to wave exposure. The remaining biological condition indicators were similar among sites, except in the most exposed one, where coral cover and coral size were slightly lower. Wave exposure in the gulf of Cazones seemed not to have a significant influence on differences in condition and structure of the assessed coral communities.

scholarly journals CHARACTERIZATION OF THE CORAL COMMUNITIES AND REEFS OF TWO PREVIOUSLY UNDESCRIBED LOCATIONS IN THE UPWELLING REGION OF GULF OF PAPAGAYO (COSTA RICA)

2010 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Jiménez ◽  
Giovanni Bassey ◽  
Álvaro Segura ◽  
Jorge Cortés
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Coral Species ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Water Discharge ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
Coral Communities ◽  
Fresh Water Discharge

In the seasonal upwelling region of Gulf of Papagayo (Northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica), we evaluated and described two previously poorly known coral habitats, Punta Cacique and Bahía Guacamaya. Both localities differed in the extent of the frame-building coral communities and their composition. While Bahía Guacamaya and Punta Cacique had a similar number of coral species (16), live coral cover percent was higher in the coral reefs (ca. 50% vs. 90%) and coral communities (ca. 40% vs. 50%) of the latter. At both localities, branching species (Pocillopora spp.) contributed more as a group to the live coral cover than massive and encrusting corals. Bahía Guacamaya has the largest colonies found so far of two coral species (Pocillopora eydouxi and Pocillopora meandrina) with a limited distribution in Costa Rica. Using long-term records of environmental data, we characterized the seasonality of the upwelling and the dry and rainy seasons that partially explained the low suspension sediment loads and fresh water discharge into Papagayo’s coral habitats. The results of our study are important due to the rapid development of the coastal zone of Papagayo and because only a fraction of the littoral has been systematically surveyed. Therefore, we call for more studies that aim to produce baseline data of coral habitats in the area.En la región de afloramiento estacional del Golfo de Papagayo (Costa Rica), se evaluaron dos ambientes coralinos que nunca antes habían sido estudiados: Punta Cacique y Bahía Guacamaya. En ambas localidades, la extensión y la composición de las comunidades coralinas constructoras de la estructura arrecifal fueron diferentes. En tanto que el número de especies coralinas (16) fue similar en ambas localidades, el porcentaje de cobertura de coral vivo fue mayor en los arrecifes (apróximamente 50% vs. 90%) y las comunidades (aproximadamente 40% vs. 50%) coralinas de Punta Cacique. En ambos sitios, las especies de corales ramificados (Pocillopora spp.) como grupo contribuyeron más a la cobertura de coral vivo que otras formas (masivas e incrustantes).  La Bahía Guacamaya tiene las colonias más grandes encontradas hasta el momento en Costa Rica de dos especies de distribución limitada (Pocillopora eydouxi y Pocillopora meandrina). Se utilizaron series temporales extensas de datos ambientales para caracterizar la estacionalidad del afloramiento y la estación seca y la lluviosa. Estos dos factores explican parcialmente la poca sedimentación y descarga de agua dulce en los ambientes coralinos de Papagayo. Los resultados de nuestro estudio son importantes dado que apenas una pequeña fracción de la costa de Papagayo ha sido estudiada sistemáticamente a pesar del rápido desarrollo costero que ocurre en el área. Por lo tanto, resaltamos la necesidad de realizar más estudios, con el fin de obtener datos de línea base de los ambientes coralinos del área.

The association between coral communities and disease assemblages in the Wakatobi Marine National Park, south-eastern Sulawesi, Indonesia

2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (10) ◽  
pp. 948 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Haapkylä ◽  
J. Melbourne-Thomas ◽  
M. Flavell
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
National Park ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Coral Disease ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Coral Community ◽  
Disease Prevalence ◽  
Dramatic Decline ◽  
Coral Communities

The relationship between coral community structure and disease prevalence is poorly understood, particularly in the Coral Triangle. Improved understanding of this relationship will assist in identifying assemblages that might be particularly vulnerable to disease, and in predicting possible future impacts. Here, we report results from the last 2 years (2010 and 2011) of a 4-year coral disease-monitoring program (2005, 2007, 2010, 2011) in the Wakatobi Marine National Park (Indonesia), and evaluate changes in total disease prevalence and coral cover since 2005. A comparison with previously published results from 2005 and 2007 indicates that the number of coral diseases increased from two to eight and total disease prevalence tripled between 2005 and 2011. We observed a dramatic decline in coral cover and an increase in disease prevalence at a site with a unique community of foliose corals. However, because of the 3-year period between surveys (2007, 2010), it is likely that the peak of the disease event was not observed. While multi-year studies provide useful insights into the relationships between community structure and disease, our results emphasise how determining the drivers of change in remote reef locations is especially challenging if events such as disease outbreaks are missed.

scholarly journals An emerging coral disease outbreak decimated Caribbean coral populations and reshaped reef functionality

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip ◽  
F. González-Barrios ◽  
Esmeralda Pérez-Cervantes ◽  
Ana Molina-Hernandez ◽  
Nuria Estrada-Saldívar
Keyword(s):  
Coral Species ◽  
Coral Disease ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
Carbonate Production ◽  
Coral Abundance ◽  
Caribbean Coral ◽  
Coral Communities ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Physical Functionality

Abstract Diseases are major drivers of the deterioration of coral reefs, linked to major declines in coral abundance, reef functionality, and reef-related ecosystems services1-3. An outbreak of a new disease is currently rampaging through the populations of the remaining reef-building corals across the Caribbean region. The outbreak was first reported in Florida in 2014 and reached the northern Mesoamerican reef by summer 2018, where it spread across the ~ 450-km reef system only in a few months4. Rapid infection was generalized across all sites and mortality rates ranged from 94% to < 10% among the 21 afflicted coral species. This single event further modified the coral communities across the region by increasing the relative dominance of weedy corals and reducing reef functionality, both in terms of functional diversity and calcium carbonate production. This emergent disease is likely to become the most lethal disturbance ever recorded in the Caribbean, and it will likely result in the onset of a new functional regime where key reef-building and complex branching acroporids (a genus apparently unaffected) will once again become conspicuous structural features in reef systems with yet even lower levels of physical functionality.

Acanthaster planci impact on coral communities at permanent transect sites on Bruneian reefs, with a regional overview and a critique on outbreak causes

2011 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 803-809 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J.W. Lane
Keyword(s):  
Coral Cover ◽  
Food Limitation ◽  
Past Century ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Sea Star ◽  
Acanthaster Planci ◽  
The Past ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
Coral Communities ◽  
High Precipitation

The submerged coral reefs of Brunei, little-impacted by human activity and characterized by high live coral cover, have no recorded history in recent decades of the presence of the crown-of-thorns (COT), Acanthaster planci. This sea star, first recorded on Brunei reefs in 2008, attained outbreak densities in 2010. At Littledale Shoal its impact on corals at permanent transect sites has been quantified; mean live coral cover reduced by half from 2006 to 2010 due predominantly to predation. Line intersect transect data confirm a predisposition for tabular Acropora species, a prominent feature at this site, although other scleractinian taxa were also predated. Other regional outbreaks are reviewed, including episodes, and their timing, within the neighbouring Coral Triangle (CT). Mounting evidence implicates nutrient-enhanced increases in primary production as a primary cause of COT outbreaks. However, this stands in contrast with a report of global oceanic phytoplankton decline in the past century, and there is little evidence of such a link in the CT, even though this region is characterized by high precipitation, erosional plumes and seasonal upwelling-associated phytoplankton blooms. Furthermore, until survivorship and competency for a wider spectrum of mass-spawned invertebrate planktotrophs in relation to elevated phytoplankton densities is better understood, such evidence, suggesting release from food limitation as the principal cause of enhanced COT recruitment, should be interpreted with caution.

scholarly journals Coral Reef Degradation Due to ‘Ship Grounding’ in Indonesia: Case Study of Ship Aground in Bangka-Belitung Waters by Mother Vessel MV Lyric Poet

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 263
Author(s):  
Idris Idris ◽  
Neviaty P. Zamani ◽  
Suharsono Suharsono ◽  
Fakhrurrozi Fakhrurrozi
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Species ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Hard Coral ◽  
Lyric Poet ◽  
Ship Grounding

HighlightDamage to coral reefs by ship aground is twice the area of a football fieldFound four zones of damage including runoff, dune, blow and dispersalMortality of live coral and other benthic biota ranges from 75-100% in the affected locationThe form of damaged live coral growth is predominantly slow growing.Eight hard coral species were found on the IUCN-Redlist list with a vulnerable status.AbstractShip grounding on coral reefs often results in physical and biological damage, including dislodging and removal of corals from reefs, destruction of coral skeletons, erosion and removal of sediment deposits, and loss of three-dimensional complexity. Indonesia, as an archipelagic country, is very vulnerable to various pressures; for example, the case of ship grounding is a great concern of scientists, managers, divers, and sailors themselves. Most of the damage is very severe. The purpose of the research conducted is to identify the condition of the live coral cover, mapping the type and extent of coral reef damage, affected coral species, their conservation status, and to quantify the extent of the area of coral reef damage. Measuring the extent of damage to coral reef ecosystems using the fishbone method, while the level of damage and its impact was measured using the Underwater Photo Transect (UPT) and belt transect method. The event of the grounding of the MV Lyric Poet on the Bangka Waters, Bangka-Belitung Province, has caused damage to the coral reef ecosystem. There are four damage zones identified, i.e., trajectory, mound, propeller, and dispersion zone. Corals are damaged with a total area of 13.540m2; equivalent to twice that of an international football field. Diversity of hard coral found as many as 49 species included in the CITES-Appendix II. A total of eight protected species are included in the IUCN Red List with extinction-prone status.

scholarly journals Microbial dysbiosis reflects disease resistance in diverse coral species

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas J. MacKnight ◽  
Kathryn Cobleigh ◽  
Danielle Lasseigne ◽  
Andia Chaves-Fonnegra ◽  
Alexandra Gutting ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Susceptibility ◽  
Coral Species ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Microbial Dysbiosis ◽  
White Plague ◽  
Caribbean Coral ◽  
Microbial Responses ◽  
Coral Communities

AbstractDisease outbreaks have caused significant declines of keystone coral species. While forecasting disease outbreaks based on environmental factors has progressed, we still lack a comparative understanding of susceptibility among coral species that would help predict disease impacts on coral communities. The present study compared the phenotypic and microbial responses of seven Caribbean coral species with diverse life-history strategies after exposure to white plague disease. Disease incidence and lesion progression rates were evaluated over a seven-day exposure. Coral microbiomes were sampled after lesion appearance or at the end of the experiment if no disease signs appeared. A spectrum of disease susceptibility was observed among the coral species that corresponded to microbial dysbiosis. This dysbiosis promotes greater disease susceptiblity in coral perhaps through different tolerant thresholds for change in the microbiome. The different disease susceptibility can affect coral’s ecological function and ultimately shape reef ecosystems.

Distribution, diversity, and conservation of coral reefs and coral communities in the largest marine protected area of Pacific Panama (Coiba Island)

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
HECTOR M. GUZMAN ◽  
CARLOS A. GUEVARA ◽  
ODALISCA BREEDY
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
Marine Protected Area ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Scleractinian Corals ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Marine Habitats ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
Coral Communities

Sampling scale and lack of attention to taxa other than scleractinian corals have limited the capacity to protect coral reefs and coral communities in Pacific Panama. The distribution of coral habitats (live coral cover) and their species richness in the largest marine protected area of Panama, the Coiba National Park (270 125 ha), is described using quadrat transects and manta tows. The species richness of scleractinian corals and octocorals was lower in coral reefs than in coral communities, and a close relationship between richness and live coral cover was observed only in coral communities. The distribution of high live coral cover in coral communities overlapped with areas of high coral species richness. Average live coral cover in communities was 64%, compared to 28% in reefs, whereas algae cover was 30% and 49%, respectively. Twenty-two coral and 34 octocoral species were observed, many only now detected in Panama as endemic or new species. Analysis of satellite imagery showed 80% of terrestrial habitats were mostly primary forest, and coral reefs and coral communities covered 1700 ha, about 2% of marine habitats. Shallow marine environments (< 20 m) had up to 60% calcareous red algae cover (rhodolite beds). Based on the distribution of live coral cover and species richness, three conservation units were identified as priority, with the southern and northernmost sides of the marine protected area as the most significant. These three areas encompass most of the rare and endemic species or populations, as well as species previously regarded as endangered.

scholarly journals SENDEROS SUBMARINOS DEL PARQUE NACIONAL CAHUITA: DESCRIPCIÓN BIOLÓGICA

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 231
Author(s):  
Gerardo E. Palacios Martínez
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Coral Species ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Biological Information ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Diadema Antillarum ◽  
The Family ◽  
On Line ◽  
Line Transects

Los recorridos en los Senderos Submarinos del Parque Nacional Cahuitapermitieron identificar los organismos marinos presentes. La descripción biológica de la flora y la fauna se basó en la metodología de línea transecto y observación directa. El Sendero Submarino Perezoso presentó un 40% de cobertura de coral vivo, entre los cuales estaba el coral estrella (Siderastrea siderea) como dominante, las especies de peces más frecuente pertenecen a la familia Pomacentridae. El erizo negro (Diadema antillarum) es el más frecuente de los invertebrados y las algas registradas son del género Dictyota y la especie Halimeda opuntia. Las especies de coral Siderastrea siderea y Agaricia agaricites son las más frecuentes en los senderos submarinos de Perezoso y Eduardo. This survey provides biological information regarding the underwater trails of Cahuita National Park, and identifies the most common species present. The biological description of the flora and fauna are based on line transects and direct observation. The Perezoso underwater trail had 40% live coral cover, of which the Lobe coral (Siderastrea siderea) was the most common; the most common species of fish belonged to the family Pomacentridae. The long spined sea urchin (Diadema antillarum) was the most common among the invertebrates, and the algae recorded belonged to the genera Dictyota and Halimeda. The coral species  Siderastrea siderea and Agaricia agaricites were the most common corals of the Perezoso and Eduardo underwater trails.

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