scholarly journals Assessing the Resilience Potential of Inshore and Offshore Coral Communities in the Western Gulf of Thailand

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Makamas Sutthacheep ◽  
Charernmee Chamchoy ◽  
Sittiporn Pengsakun ◽  
Wanlaya Klinthong ◽  
Thamasak Yeemin
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Bleaching ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Gulf Of Thailand ◽  
Juvenile Corals ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
Coral Communities ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Offshore Reef

Coral reefs in the Gulf of Thailand have experienced severe coral bleaching events and anthropogenic disturbances during the last two decades. This study assessed the resilience potential of coral communities at Ko Losin offshore reef sites and Mu Ko Chumphon nearshore coral reefs, in the south of Thailand, by conducting field surveys on the live coral cover, hard substratum composition and diversity and density of juvenile corals. Most study sites had higher percentages of live coral cover compared to dead coral cover. Some inshore and offshore reef sites showed low resilience to coral bleaching events. The total densities of juvenile corals at the study sites were in the range of 0.89–3.73 colonies/m2. The density of the juvenile corals at most reef sites was not dependent on the live coral cover of adult colonies in a reef, particularly for the Acropora communities. We suggest that Ko Losin should be established as a marine protected area, and Mu Ko Chumphon National Park should implement its management plans properly to enhance coral recovery and promote marine ecotourism. Other measures, such as shading, should be also applied at some coral reefs during bleaching periods.

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 Status of Coral Reefs in the Water of Spermonde, Makassar, South Sulawesi

2021 ◽  
Vol 324 ◽  
pp. 03007
Author(s):  
Ni Wayan Purnama Sari ◽  
Rikoh Manogar Siringoringo ◽  
Muhammad Abrar ◽  
Risandi Dwirama Putra ◽  
Raden Sutiadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Health Index ◽  
Point Count ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
Reef Health ◽  
Index Value

Observations of the condition of coral reefs have been carried out in Spermonde waters from 2015 to 2018. The method used in this observation uses Underwater Photo Transect (UPT), and the data obtained is analyzed using CPCe (Coral Point Count with Excel Extensions) software. The results show that the percentage of coral cover has increased from year to year. The percentage of live coral cover in 2015 was 19.64%, 23.60 in 2016, 23.72% in 2017, and 27.83% in 2018. The increase in live coral cover from year to year is thought to occur due to the availability of nutrients. or increasing public awareness, considering this location is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Makassar. Coral reef health index values can be used to classify coral reef health. Through the analysis of the coral reef health index, an index value of 4 was obtained, which means that the condition of the coral reefs is in the “moderate” category.

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 Cuando la conservación no puede seguir el ritmo del desarrollo: Estado de salud de los ecosistemas coralinos del Pacífico Norte de Costa Rica

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (1-1) ◽  
pp. 280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan José Alvarado ◽  
Andrés Beita-Jiménez ◽  
Sebastián Mena ◽  
Cindy Fernández ◽  
Jorge Cortés ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
North Pacific ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Actual State ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
The North ◽  
Invasive Seaweed ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
The North Pacific

Abstract: When conservation can keep up with development´s pace: Health status of coral ecosystems in the North Pacific of Costa Rica. Coral reefs are diverse and productive ecosystems, despite this, they are being threatened by human activities that enhance the detrimental impact of the natural phenomenon’s like Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB). The north Pacific of Costa Rica has been characterized as one of the best regions for the coral reefs development in the country. However, many of these ecosystems are being lost as a result of eutrophication, overfishing, invasive species and others impacts that affect the region. In the present study, live coral cover in the north Pacific was 5.0 ± 10.4(s.d.) %, with a domination in the ecosystems by turf algae. Twenty-six invertebrate taxa were registered in the region with the predominance of the sea urchin Diadema mexicanum. Ninety-four species of reef fish were identified. Snappers and some planktivores species were the groups with the highest frequency and abundance. The localities previously studied in the 1990 decade, presented a mean live coral cover between 40-50 %, whereby the actual state of the reef reflect a significant deterioration. This decline in coral cover is due to natural events like the El Niño, as well as the decrease in water quality in the region. In recent years, proliferations of the invasive seaweed Caulerpa sertularioides and high densities of bioerosive sea urchins have been reported, mainly associated with HAB events. Likewise, fish communities have low biomass, especially in the vicinity of fishing villages. The state of the reefs in the North Pacific is worrying and requires actions for its recovery and conservation, for which there must be better planning of the development of projects and activities on the coast. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(Suppl. 1): S280-S308. Epub 2018 April 01. 

scholarly journals Analysis on the Live Coral Cover around Weizhou Island Using MODIS Data

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (19) ◽  
pp. 4309
Author(s):  
Rongyong Huang ◽  
Huiya Zhang ◽  
Kefu Yu
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Empirical Relationship ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Chl A ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer

Coral reefs are important as they can help to maintain ecological balance, biological resources, and species diversity on earth. However, they are globally threatened by human activities and climate change. As live coral cover (LCC) is regarded as an important measure of the health of coral reefs, analysis on LCC change associated with environmental parameters, such as chlorophyll-a concentration (Chl-a), sea surface temperature (SST), and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), is of great value. Research on this front would help us comprehend the changes in coral reefs induced by human activities and global changes. Instead of using spasmodically in-field-measured environmental parameters, in this study, we chose to combine the successive Chl-a, SST, and PAR products of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) with historic LCC records to establish an empirical relationship using nonlinear optimization. Thereafter, the established relationship was further used to discuss some possible developments of LCCs. According to the experiments, we concluded that the degradation of the LCC around Weizhou Island may be mainly caused by human-activity-caused eutrophication. Besides, we also showed that even if the Chl-a and the PAR can keep constant with current average levels, the corals around Weizhou Island may still be in a risk of disappearing between 2120–2140 as the SST continues to rise.

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.

scholarly journals Ecosistemas coralinos del Parque Nacional Isla del Coco, Costa Rica: estructura y comparación 1987-2014

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan José Alvarado ◽  
Andrés Beita-Jiménez ◽  
Sebastián Mena ◽  
Cindy Fernández-García ◽  
Ana Gloria Guzman-Mora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Carnivorous Species ◽  
Commercial Value ◽  
Study Sites

<p><strong> </strong>Isla del Coco has one of the most diverse and well-conserved coral reefs in Costa Rica. These reefs have been extensively studied since the 1980’s, however those studies focused mainly on coral coverage. The aim of this study is to evaluate the coral reefs of the island, not only by the coverage of the substrate but also the composition of fish, invertebrates and reef complexity. A total of 17 sites around the island were sampled in July 2013 and in February-March 2014. At each site, we evaluated three depths (4-8 m, 9-12 m and 13-16 m), where three 10m long transects were sampled. Turf algae was the predominant substrate cover with 38.18±5.58 %. The crustose calcareous algae (Order Corallinales) had a 28.12±5.85 % cover and live coral was 18.64±3.55 %, with <em>Porites lobata</em> as the main reef builder. A total of 18 taxa of macroinvertebrates were observed in the study sites, of which 56 % of the species were not abundant, 33 % were common, and the sea urchin <em>Diadema mexicanum</em> was the only dominant species. The density of lobsters of the genus <em>Panulirus</em> was 388±385 ind ha<sup>-1</sup>, which is the highest density reported in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Also we observed high densities of the sea cucumber <em>Isostichopus fuscus</em> (550 ind ha<sup>-1</sup>), which has a high commercial value. We recorded 45 338 fish individuals, distributed in 93 species, with an average of 1.2±8.5 tn ha<sup>-1</sup>. From the total of species, 51 % were uncommon, 31 % common, 11 % predominant and 8 % occasional. The fish community at Isla del Coco is represented by a large number of carnivorous species, followed by top predators, herbivores and planktivorous species. According to the fish categories of the IUCN Red List, 16 % of species are in threatened categories and represent 25 % of the total sampled biomass. When comparing with studies carried out from 1987 to the present, the recovery in coral cover over time is evident, mainly due to: 1) a decrease in the pressure of the bioerosive action of <em>D. mexicanum</em>; and 2) the conservation actions that have been taken on the island. This has been translated in complex and more rugose reefs. Isla del Coco reefs are healthy, with functional and complex food webs; where species of high commercial value have large populations. The effectiveness of conservation and management activities in Isla del Coco has resulted in the recovery of the reef communities.</p>

scholarly journals Status and conservation of coral reefs in Costa Rica

2015 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Cortés ◽  
Carlos E Jiménez ◽  
Ana C Fonseca ◽  
Juan José Alvarado
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Caribbean Coast ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Coral Communities ◽  
Algal Ridge ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
The Government

<span>Costa Rica has coral communities and reefs on the Caribbean coast and on the Pacific along the coast and off-shore islands. The Southern section of the Caribbean coast has fringing and patch reefs, carbonate banks, and an incipient algal ridge. The Pacific coast has coral communities, reefs and isolated coral colonies. Coral reefs have been seriously impacted in the last 30 years, mainly by sediments (Caribbean coast and some Pacific reefs) and by El Niño warming events (both coasts). Monitoring is being carried out at three sites on each coast. Both coasts suffered significant reductions in live coral cover in the 1980’s, but coral cover is now increasing in most sites. The government of Costa Rica is aware of the importance of coral reefs and marine environments in general, and in recent years decrees have been implemented (or are in the process of approval) to protect them, but limited resources endanger their proper management and conservation, including proper outreach to reef users and the general public.</span>

scholarly journals Coral reefs in the Gilbert Islands of Kiribati: Resistance, resilience, and recovery after more than a decade of multiple stressors

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0255304
Author(s):  
Sara E. Cannon ◽  
Erietera Aram ◽  
Toaea Beiateuea ◽  
Aranteiti Kiareti ◽  
Max Peter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
Phase Shift ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coral Bleaching ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Hard Coral ◽  
Turf Algae ◽  
The World ◽  
Coral Communities

Coral reefs are increasingly affected by a combination of acute and chronic disturbances from climate change and local stressors. The coral reefs of the Republic of Kiribati’s Gilbert Islands are exposed to frequent heat stress caused by central-Pacific type El Niño events, and may provide a glimpse into the future of coral reefs in other parts of the world, where the frequency of heat stress events will likely increase due to climate change. Reefs in the Gilbert Islands experienced a series of acute disturbances over the past fifteen years, including mass coral bleaching in 2004–2005 and 2009–2010, and an outbreak of the corallivorous sea star Acanthaster cf solaris, or Crown-of-Thorns (CoTs), in 2014. The local chronic pressures including nutrient loading, sedimentation and fishing vary within the island chain, with highest pressures on the reefs in urbanized South Tarawa Atoll. In this study, we examine how recovery from acute disturbances differs across a gradient of human influence in neighboring Tarawa and Abaiang Atolls from 2012 through 2018. Benthic cover and size frequency data suggests that local coral communities have adjusted to the heat stress via shifts in the community composition to more temperature-tolerant taxa and individuals. In densely populated South Tarawa, we document a phase shift to the weedy and less bleaching-sensitive coral Porites rus, which accounted for 81% of all coral cover by 2018. By contrast, in less populated Abaiang, coral communities remained comparatively more diverse (with higher percentages of Pocillopora and the octocoral Heliopora) after the disturbances, but reefs had lower overall hard coral cover (18%) and were dominated by turf algae (41%). The CoTs outbreak caused a decline in the cover and mean size of massive Porites, the only taxa that was a ‘winner’ of the coral bleaching events in Abaiang. Although there are signs of recovery, the long-term trajectory of the benthic communities in Abaiang is not yet clear. We suggest three scenarios: they may remain in their current state (dominated by turf algae), undergo a phase shift to dominance by the macroalgae Halimeda, or recover to dominance by thermally tolerant hard coral genera. These findings provide a rare glimpse at the future of coral reefs around the world and the ways they may be affected by climate change, which may allow scientists to better predict how other reefs will respond to increasing heat stress events across gradients of local human disturbance.

scholarly journals Penilaian Indeks Kesehatan Terumbu Karang di TWP Selat Bunga Laut, Kabupaten Kepulauan Mentawai

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-80
Author(s):  
Suparno Suparno ◽  
Yempita Efendi ◽  
Arlius Arlius ◽  
Mas Eriza ◽  
Bukhari Bukhari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Health Index ◽  
Visual Census ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
Coral Fish ◽  
Coral Health ◽  
Index Value

Coral reefs condition in the protected marine area at Selat Bunga has decreased every year.  The health of coral reefs is represented by coral index health. The purpose of this study was to analyze the coral reefs health index based on the condition of live coral cover, resilience level and condition of coral fish. Retrieval of coral reefs data using the Under Photo Transect Method and coral fish data collection using the Under Water Visual Census. The results of research at 9 research stations found that the average cover of live coral ranged from 1.40 - 44.68%, fleshy seaweed ranged from 0.13% - 12.87%, rubble ranged from 1.73 - 39.40%, and average total reef fish biomass ranged from 8.93 - 253.23 kg/ha. Coral reef health index values range between 3-6. Coral reefs health index of 67% of research stations is 3. The coral health index value 3 is indicated by a low percent live coral cover, a high resilience rate, and a low reef fish biomass.Kondisi terumbu karang di Kawasan Konservasi Taman Wisata Perairan (TWP) Selat Bunga Laut  telah mengalami penurunan setiap tahun.  Indeks kesehatan karang adalah nilai yang mengambarkan kesehatan karang antar lokasi penelitian. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah menganalisis indeks kesehatan terumbu karang berdasarkan kondisi tutupan karang hidup,  tingkat resiliensi dan kondisi ikan karang.  Pengambilan data terumbu karang dengan metode Under Photo Transect dan pengambilan data ikan karang mengunakan Under Water Visual Census. Hasil penelitian di 9 stasiun penelitian didapatkan persen rata-rata tutupan karang hidup berkisar  1.40- 44.68 %, fleshy seaweed berkisar  0.13% - 12.87%, pecahan karang berkisar 1.73 –39.40 %, dan rata-rata total biomassa ikan karang berkisar 8.93 – 253.23 kg/ha. Nilai indeks kesehatan terumbu karang berkisar antara 3-6. Sebanyak  67% stasiun penelitian mempunyai indeks kesehatan terumbu karang dengan skala 3. Indeks kesehatan karang skala 3 ditunjukkan  oleh  persen tutupan karang  hidup yang rendah, tingkat resiliensi yang tinggi dan biomassa ikan yang rendah.

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