Download or read book Characterization of Deep Water Reef Communities Within the Marine Conservation District St Thomas U S Virgin Islands written by and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 88 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The purpose of this research was to validate habitat classifications developed for the CFMC and to assess fisheries and non-fisheries resources within this marine protected area. This research provides information that is applicable for the classification and ranking of essential fish habitat (EFH) within the MCD and similar mesophotic reef habitat (30 - 50 m) along the Puerto Rican Shelf"--Executive summary.
Download or read book Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems written by Yossi Loya and published by Springer. This book was released on 2019-05-22 with total page 1003 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book summarizes what is known about mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) geographically and by major taxa. MCEs are characterized by light-dependent corals and associated communities typically found at depths ranging from 30-40 m. and extending to over 150 m. in tropical and subtropical ecosystems. They are populated with organisms typically associated with shallow coral reefs, such as macroalgae, corals, sponges, and fishes, as well as specialist species unique to mesophotic depths. During the past decade, there has been an increasing scientific and management interest in MCEs expressed by the exponential increase in the number of publications studying this unique environment. Despite their close proximity to well-studied shallow reefs, and the growing evidence of their importance, our scientific knowledge of MCEs is still in its early stages. The topics covered in the book include: regional variation in MCEs; similarities and differences between mesophotic and shallow reef taxa, biotic and abiotic conditions, biodiversity, ecology, geomorphology, and geology; potential connectivity between MCEs and shallow reefs; MCE disturbances, conservation, and management challenges; and new technologies, key research questions/knowledge gaps, priorities, and future directions in MCE research.
Download or read book Characterization of Deep sea Coral and Sponge Communities in Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary written by Kaitlin Graiff and published by . This book was released on 2021 with total page 42 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems written by Yossi Loya and published by Springer. This book was released on 2019-06-21 with total page 1003 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book summarizes what is known about mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) geographically and by major taxa. MCEs are characterized by light-dependent corals and associated communities typically found at depths ranging from 30-40 m. and extending to over 150 m. in tropical and subtropical ecosystems. They are populated with organisms typically associated with shallow coral reefs, such as macroalgae, corals, sponges, and fishes, as well as specialist species unique to mesophotic depths. During the past decade, there has been an increasing scientific and management interest in MCEs expressed by the exponential increase in the number of publications studying this unique environment. Despite their close proximity to well-studied shallow reefs, and the growing evidence of their importance, our scientific knowledge of MCEs is still in its early stages. The topics covered in the book include: regional variation in MCEs; similarities and differences between mesophotic and shallow reef taxa, biotic and abiotic conditions, biodiversity, ecology, geomorphology, and geology; potential connectivity between MCEs and shallow reefs; MCE disturbances, conservation, and management challenges; and new technologies, key research questions/knowledge gaps, priorities, and future directions in MCE research.
Download or read book Deep Reef Bioerosion and Deposition written by David Weinstein and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The structural complexity and geomorphic diversity of coral reefs are vital foundational characteristics responsible for the many ecological and economic benefits these ecosystems provide. Shallow-water coral reef geomorphology and structural sustainability is mostly determined by varying reef sedimentary components including: (1) sediment production (matrix) and deposition, (2) framework production and secondary carbonate accretion; (3) bioerosion; and (4) cementation. However, little is known regarding the variability and influence of these sedimentary processes in mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs), deep reef communities 30-150 m below sea-level. Despite recent increases in biological and ecological MCE studies, many crucial sedimentological research questions remain unaddressed. These unaddressed questions impede a greater understanding of mesophotic reef structural sustainability and potentially related habitat heterogeneity, carbonate reef shelf development and variability in mesophotic depths, and the general origins of modern coral reef biodiversity. Critical gaps in knowledge of mesophotic coral reef geomorphology and structural sustainability were addressed in this dissertation by conducting one of the first extensive sedimentological analyses of a mesophotic coral reef ecosystem. Beyond a general exploration of MCEs, the overall research goal was to identify basic sedimentary processes integral to the development, modification, and sustainability of mesophotic coral reef structure. The goal was also to determine the variability of the identified processes at different mesophotic reef habitats and investigate how these processes and potential variability impact shelf-wide habitat heterogeneity and long-term accretion. To address these goals, sedimentary analyses and ecological surveys were conducted at mesophotic coral reef habitats with distinct structurally characteristics, and neighboring shallow-water reef counterparts in the northern U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). Analyses at all reefs were designed to address four specific aims: (1) categorization and comparison of various mesophotic reef sediment and cement attributes; (2) determination of exposed consolidated substrate reef bioerosion rates, and the distribution and variability of bioeroding groups; (3) quantification and determination of primary coral mesophotic reef framework builder linear growth and calcification rate variability, and comparison to live mesophotic framework bioerosion and secondary accretion rates; and (4) application of study results for carbonate budget analysis and assessment of geomorphic carbonate production status. Sediment and cement analysis (first aim) indicated that distinct MCE habitats produce subfacies. The interpreted hydrodynamic and biological interactions controlling mesophotic USVI subfacies have implications towards paleoenvironmental interpretations of ancient mesophotic reef deposits with similar sediment and cement characteristics. Significant differences in exposed consolidated substrate bioerosional processes were discovered between the analyzed habitats. These differences were found to primarily result from variation in parrotfish biomass and related controls on substrate exposure time and location in macroboring succession. Results also broadly confirm pervious hypothesizes that bioerosion decreases with depth along a carbonate shelf and have implications leaning toward rejection of traditional reef accretion theories. Analysis of coral growth identified statistically significant differences in mesophotic coral reef calcification rates, implying another potential long-term mechanism for enhancing mesophotic reef structural heterogeneity. However, on a larger scale, linear extension rates were found to fit within previously proposed models of decreasing coral growth rate with increasing depth. Mesophotic coral reef sedimentary analyses were compared in a newly developed carbonate budget model to analyze structural sustainability and consider implications of these analyses on mesophotic reef habitat heterogeneity and Holocene carbonate shelf accretion. All USVI mesophotic habitats examined were identified with net positive carbonate production despite significant variability in geomorphic production states. Additionally, comparisons with earlier benthic surveys suggest higher net USVI mesophotic reef carbonate production in the recent past, potentially implying these deeper reefs are not fully immune to modern global stressors impacting shallow-water reefs. Results indicated that mesophotic reef accretion was not the main driver of shelf-scale topographic relief. However, mesophotic carbonate production variability substantially contributes to habitat-scale structural relief and complexity and relatedly to overall ecosystem diversity. Specific mesophotic reef sedimentology research methods and the need for similar studies at other mesophotic reef habitats were suggested. Comprehensive sedimentology analysis of mesophotic coral reefs in the USVI provide new insight into reef structural sustainability, geomorphic status, and potential impacts from global stressors, and should be considered when developing specific reef sustainability models and management strategies.
Download or read book Diseases of Coral written by Cheryl M. Woodley and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2015-09-22 with total page 613 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Coral disease is quickly becoming a crisis to the health and management of the world’s coral reefs. There is a great interest from many in preserving coral reefs. Unfortunately, the field of epizootiology is disorganized and lacks a standard vocabulary, methods, and diagnostic techniques, and tropical marine scientists are poorly trained in wildlife pathology, veterinary medicine, and epidemiology. Diseases of Coral will help to rectify this situation.
Download or read book Southeast Florida Shallow water Habitat Mapping Coral Reef Community Characterization written by Brian K. Walker and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 71 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Baseline mapping and quantitative assessment data are required prior to future permitted or un-permitted impacts in order to determine the pre-existing state of the benthic resources; therefore, it is imperative that these data be collected on the ecologically sensitive and economically valuable shallow-water coral reef habitats in southeast Florida. In southeast Florida, the nearshore reef habitats are most vulnerable to coastal construction activities and other anthropogenic impacts, therefore these habitats were the focus for this study. The study goals were to provide a spatially appropriate map of increased resolution and a regional quantitative characterization of nearshore benthic resources to evaluate differences in benthic communities between habitats and with latitude for the southeast Florida region of the Florida Reef Tract. This study is a snapshot habitat characterization providing the current status of shallow-water coral reef community composition. Additionally, these data can be used to reduce un-permitted impacts by informing marine zoning efforts and aid in the creation of new no-anchor zones"--Executive summary.
Download or read book Site Characterization for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Environs Invertebrate infauna and epifauna of the Florida Keys and Florida Bay written by and published by . This book was released on 1996 with total page 196 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Characterization and Comparison of Platform Reef Communities Off the Texas Coast written by and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 84 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The debate of whether or not artificial reefs contribute to the biological productivity of the Gulf of Mexico inevitably is based on the productivity of fishery targeted fish populations. This is understandable since the socioeconomic demand for sustainable fisheries has substantial influence on the management of living marine resources. Based on targeted fishery species, the question of impact is unanswered. But based on the non-targeted fauna, particularly the sessile community, the answer is unequivocally yes - artificial reefs do contribute to the biological productivity of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. This report along with other reports just released and some research in progress significantly advances our understanding of the dynamics of artificial reefs. Yet, there remains a great deal of research to be done to fully understand the impact of artificial reefs upon the ecology and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico.
Download or read book The United States Virgin Islands Coral Reef Monitoring Program written by Tyler Burton Smith and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "This report presents results of the 13th year of monitoring on reefs surrounding St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas (years 2001-2013). Monitoring sites were distributed across the insular platform in depths from 5 to 63 m (16 - 220') in an effort to capture the diversity of reef types present in the Virgin Islands. Long-term data is presented from 33 sites. While not exhaustive, the TCRMP is generally representative of the geographic areas and variety of reef types in the USVI. Digital video and diver surveys were used to quantify benthic cover and coral health at 14 permanent sites surrounding the island of St. Croix and 19 permanent sites on the Puerto Rican Shelf surrounding the island of St. John and St. Thomas. In addition, at 32 of these sites sea urchin density and fish community structure were evaluated. This report presents data from a major expansion of coral reef monitoring sites"--Executive summary (page 20).
Download or read book Characterization of Deep sea Coral and Sponge Communities in Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary written by Kaitlin Graiff and published by . This book was released on 2021 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Analysis of Coral Reef Community Structure and Composition Inside and Outside of Marine Protected Ares in the Turks and Caicos Islands Caribbean Sea written by Matthew R. Helms and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book SeaFlower Biosphere Reserve New Findings and Trends in the Largest Caribbean Marine Protected Area written by Juan Armando Sanchez and published by Frontiers Media SA. This book was released on 2021-12-21 with total page 165 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Key Largo Coral Reef National Marine Sanctuary Deep Water Resource Survey written by Stephen C. Jameson and published by . This book was released on 1981 with total page 160 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Field Guidebook to the Reefs and Reef Communities of St Croix Virgin Islands written by Walter H. Adey and published by . This book was released on 1977 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book St Thomas and St John Marine Monitoring Gap Analysis written by Simon Pittman and published by . This book was released on 2011* with total page 1 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Presents the coral reef ecology and habitat monitoring sites in St. Thomas and St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Download or read book The Evolution of Reef Communities written by J. A. Fagerstrom and published by Wiley-Interscience. This book was released on 1987-11-13 with total page 636 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Discusses the composition, structure, occurrence, and changes in reefs during the past 2 billion years. This is the only fully integrated treatment of these factors and processes with the evolutionary history of the organisms that have built reefs. Emphasizes the functional roles of major groups (guilds) of reef-building, reef-destroying, and reef-dwelling organisms in the most complex of all marine communities. A structural model, based on modern reef guilds, is developed. Then the functional roles of each major reef-building higher biologic taxon (algae, sponges, coral, etc.) is determined, and, on this basis, each such taxon is assigned to a reef community guild. Next, the author traces the geologic history and guild assignment of each major taxon through geologic time. The final chapter establishes a succession of ten major reef community types, and considers their extinction and recovery in the light of modern theories of cosmic and earthly events. Profusely illustrated.
