2018
Fabiola Rivera-Irizarry Alex E. Mercado-Molina, Jaime Fonseca-Miranda
In: Marine Biology Research , vol. 14, 2018, no. 1, pp. 41 - 51, 2018.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Acropora cervicornis, Caribbean, Climate change, Coral Reef Decline, coral reefs, Corals, Land-Based Source Pollution, Marine Protected Areas, Puerto Rico, Reef Restoration
@article{Mercado-Molina2018,
title = {Growth facilitation by the octocoral Gorgonia ventalina explains spatial difference in the population size structure of the common demosponge Ircinia felix},
author = {Alex E. Mercado-Molina, Fabiola Rivera-Irizarry, Jaime Fonseca-Miranda, & Yesenia Bruno-Laureano },
editor = {Paco Cárdenas},
url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17451000.2017.1367098},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1080/17451000.2017.1367098},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-11-07},
journal = {Marine Biology Research },
volume = {14, 2018},
number = {1},
pages = {41 - 51},
abstract = {In this study, the demography of the common demosponge Ircinia felix was examined at Tamarindo, a coral reef located in the island municipality of Culebra, Puerto Rico. A preliminary study comparing the size structure of two subpopulations within the reef, Tamarindo Norte (TN) and Tamarindo Sur (TS), indicated that sponges at TN are significantly larger than sponges at TS. This result served as a baseline for the present comparative study in which we aimed to determine whether the spatial differences in population size structure can be explained either by a difference in rates of survival, growth, or recruitment, or a combination of these. To accomplish our goal, we followed the growth, survival and recruitment of I. felix at the two localities for one year. Growth was the only demographic parameter that differed significantly between localities. Because the most obvious distinction between the study sites was the absence of the octocoral Gorgonia ventalina at TS, we hypothesized that the faster overall growth rate of sponges at TN was related to the presence of the octocoral. To test this hypothesis, we compared growth rates between sponges associated with the octocoral and those individuals not associated. We found that sponges growing near G. ventalina grew significantly faster than non-associated sponges. This result suggests that the octocoral facilitates the growth of I. felix and therefore may account, at least in part, for the spatial differences in population size structure.},
keywords = {Acropora cervicornis, Caribbean, Climate change, Coral Reef Decline, coral reefs, Corals, Land-Based Source Pollution, Marine Protected Areas, Puerto Rico, Reef Restoration},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
In this study, the demography of the common demosponge Ircinia felix was examined at Tamarindo, a coral reef located in the island municipality of Culebra, Puerto Rico. A preliminary study comparing the size structure of two subpopulations within the reef, Tamarindo Norte (TN) and Tamarindo Sur (TS), indicated that sponges at TN are significantly larger than sponges at TS. This result served as a baseline for the present comparative study in which we aimed to determine whether the spatial differences in population size structure can be explained either by a difference in rates of survival, growth, or recruitment, or a combination of these. To accomplish our goal, we followed the growth, survival and recruitment of I. felix at the two localities for one year. Growth was the only demographic parameter that differed significantly between localities. Because the most obvious distinction between the study sites was the absence of the octocoral Gorgonia ventalina at TS, we hypothesized that the faster overall growth rate of sponges at TN was related to the presence of the octocoral. To test this hypothesis, we compared growth rates between sponges associated with the octocoral and those individuals not associated. We found that sponges growing near G. ventalina grew significantly faster than non-associated sponges. This result suggests that the octocoral facilitates the growth of I. felix and therefore may account, at least in part, for the spatial differences in population size structure.
2015
Hernández-Delgado, Edwin A.
In: Marine Pollution Bulletin, vol. 101, no. 1, pp. 5-28, 2015.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Climate change, coral reefs
@article{Hernández-Delgado2015,
title = {The emerging threats of climate change on tropical coastal ecosystem services, public health, local economies and livelihood sustainability of small islands: Cumulative impacts and synergies},
author = {
Edwin A. Hernández-Delgado },
doi = {doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.09.018},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-12-31},
journal = {Marine Pollution Bulletin},
volume = {101},
number = {1},
pages = {5-28},
abstract = {Climate change has significantly impacted tropical ecosystems critical for sustaining local economies and community livelihoods at global scales. Coastal ecosystems have largely declined, threatening the principal source of protein, building materials, tourism-based revenue, and the first line of defense against storm swells and sea level rise (SLR) for small tropical islands. Climate change has also impacted public health (i.e., altered distribution and increased prevalence of allergies, water-borne, and vector-borne diseases). Rapid human population growth has exacerbated pressure over coupled social–ecological systems, with concomitant non-sustainable impacts on natural resources, water availability, food security and sovereignty, public health, and quality of life, which should increase vulnerability and erode adaptation and mitigation capacity. This paper examines cumulative and synergistic impacts of climate change in the challenging context of highly vulnerable small tropical islands. Multiple adaptive strategies of coupled social–ecological ecosystems are discussed. Multi-level, multi-sectorial responses are necessary for adaptation to be successful.},
keywords = {Climate change, coral reefs},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Climate change has significantly impacted tropical ecosystems critical for sustaining local economies and community livelihoods at global scales. Coastal ecosystems have largely declined, threatening the principal source of protein, building materials, tourism-based revenue, and the first line of defense against storm swells and sea level rise (SLR) for small tropical islands. Climate change has also impacted public health (i.e., altered distribution and increased prevalence of allergies, water-borne, and vector-borne diseases). Rapid human population growth has exacerbated pressure over coupled social–ecological systems, with concomitant non-sustainable impacts on natural resources, water availability, food security and sovereignty, public health, and quality of life, which should increase vulnerability and erode adaptation and mitigation capacity. This paper examines cumulative and synergistic impacts of climate change in the challenging context of highly vulnerable small tropical islands. Multiple adaptive strategies of coupled social–ecological ecosystems are discussed. Multi-level, multi-sectorial responses are necessary for adaptation to be successful.
2014
Carmen M. González-Ramos Edwin A. Hernández-Delgado,; Alejandro-Camis, Pedro J.
In: Revista Biologia Tropical, vol. Vol. 62 , no. Supl.3 , pp. 49-64, 2014.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Climate change, community trajectory, coral decline, coral recruitment, Mona Island, Puerto Rico, transitional state
@article{Hernández-Delgado2014,
title = {Large-scale coral recruitment patterns on Mona Island, Puerto Rico: evidence of a transitional community trajectory after massive coral bleaching and mortality},
author = {Edwin A. Hernández-Delgado, Carmen M. González-Ramos, and Pedro J. Alejandro-Camis},
url = {https://www.sampr.org/sam/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Hernandez-Delgado-Gonzalez-Ramos-and-Alejandro-Camis-2014.pdf},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-09-30},
journal = {Revista Biologia Tropical},
volume = { Vol. 62 },
number = {Supl.3 },
pages = { 49-64},
abstract = {Coral reefs have largely declined across the northeastern Caribbean following the 2005 massive
bleaching event. Climate change-related sea surface warming and coral disease outbreaks of a white plague-like syndrome and of yellow band disease (YBD) have caused significant coral decline affecting massive reef building species (i.e., Orbicella annularis species complex) which show no apparent signs of recovery through larval sexual recruitment. We addressed coral recruit densities across three spur and groove reef locations along the western shelf of remote Mona Island, Puerto Rico: Punta Capitán (PCA), Pasa de Las Carmelitas (PLC), and Las Carmelitas-South (LCS). Data were collected during November 2012 along 93 haphazard transects across three depth zones (<5m, 5-10m, 10-15m). A total of 32 coral species (9 octocorals, 1 hydrocoral, 22 scleractinians) were documented among the recruit community. Communities had low densities and dominance by short-lived brooder species seven years after the 2005 event. Mean coral recruit density ranged from 1.2 to 10.5/m2 at PCA,
6.3 to 7.2/m2 at LCS, 4.5 to 9.5/m2 at PLC. Differences in coral recruit community structure can be attributed to slight variation in percent macroalgal cover and composition as study sites had nearly similar benthic spatial heterogeneity. Dominance by ephemeral coral species was widespread. Recovery of largely declining massive reef-building species such as the O. annularis species complex was limited or non-existent. The lack of recovery could be the combined result of several mechanisms involving climate change, YBD disease, macroalgae, fishing, urchins and Mona Island’s reefs limited connectivity to other reef systems. There is also for rehabilitation of fish trophic structure, with emphasis in recovering herbivore guilds and depleted populations of D. antillarum. Failing to recognize the importance of ecosystem-based management and resilience rehabilitation may deem remote coral reefs recovery unlikely. },
keywords = {Climate change, community trajectory, coral decline, coral recruitment, Mona Island, Puerto Rico, transitional state},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Coral reefs have largely declined across the northeastern Caribbean following the 2005 massive
bleaching event. Climate change-related sea surface warming and coral disease outbreaks of a white plague-like syndrome and of yellow band disease (YBD) have caused significant coral decline affecting massive reef building species (i.e., Orbicella annularis species complex) which show no apparent signs of recovery through larval sexual recruitment. We addressed coral recruit densities across three spur and groove reef locations along the western shelf of remote Mona Island, Puerto Rico: Punta Capitán (PCA), Pasa de Las Carmelitas (PLC), and Las Carmelitas-South (LCS). Data were collected during November 2012 along 93 haphazard transects across three depth zones (<5m, 5-10m, 10-15m). A total of 32 coral species (9 octocorals, 1 hydrocoral, 22 scleractinians) were documented among the recruit community. Communities had low densities and dominance by short-lived brooder species seven years after the 2005 event. Mean coral recruit density ranged from 1.2 to 10.5/m2 at PCA,
6.3 to 7.2/m2 at LCS, 4.5 to 9.5/m2 at PLC. Differences in coral recruit community structure can be attributed to slight variation in percent macroalgal cover and composition as study sites had nearly similar benthic spatial heterogeneity. Dominance by ephemeral coral species was widespread. Recovery of largely declining massive reef-building species such as the O. annularis species complex was limited or non-existent. The lack of recovery could be the combined result of several mechanisms involving climate change, YBD disease, macroalgae, fishing, urchins and Mona Island’s reefs limited connectivity to other reef systems. There is also for rehabilitation of fish trophic structure, with emphasis in recovering herbivore guilds and depleted populations of D. antillarum. Failing to recognize the importance of ecosystem-based management and resilience rehabilitation may deem remote coral reefs recovery unlikely.
bleaching event. Climate change-related sea surface warming and coral disease outbreaks of a white plague-like syndrome and of yellow band disease (YBD) have caused significant coral decline affecting massive reef building species (i.e., Orbicella annularis species complex) which show no apparent signs of recovery through larval sexual recruitment. We addressed coral recruit densities across three spur and groove reef locations along the western shelf of remote Mona Island, Puerto Rico: Punta Capitán (PCA), Pasa de Las Carmelitas (PLC), and Las Carmelitas-South (LCS). Data were collected during November 2012 along 93 haphazard transects across three depth zones (<5m, 5-10m, 10-15m). A total of 32 coral species (9 octocorals, 1 hydrocoral, 22 scleractinians) were documented among the recruit community. Communities had low densities and dominance by short-lived brooder species seven years after the 2005 event. Mean coral recruit density ranged from 1.2 to 10.5/m2 at PCA,
6.3 to 7.2/m2 at LCS, 4.5 to 9.5/m2 at PLC. Differences in coral recruit community structure can be attributed to slight variation in percent macroalgal cover and composition as study sites had nearly similar benthic spatial heterogeneity. Dominance by ephemeral coral species was widespread. Recovery of largely declining massive reef-building species such as the O. annularis species complex was limited or non-existent. The lack of recovery could be the combined result of several mechanisms involving climate change, YBD disease, macroalgae, fishing, urchins and Mona Island’s reefs limited connectivity to other reef systems. There is also for rehabilitation of fish trophic structure, with emphasis in recovering herbivore guilds and depleted populations of D. antillarum. Failing to recognize the importance of ecosystem-based management and resilience rehabilitation may deem remote coral reefs recovery unlikely.
Manoj Shivlani Edwin A. Hernández-Delgado, and Alberto M. Sabat
Ecosystem-Based and Community-Based Model Integration to Designate Coral Reef No-Take Marine Protected Areas: A Case Study from Puerto Rico Journal Article
In: Natural Resources, vol. 5, pp. 538-560, 2014.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Climate change, Community-Based Management, Fish Communities, Marine Protected Areas
@article{Hernández-Delgado2014b,
title = {Ecosystem-Based and Community-Based Model Integration to Designate Coral Reef No-Take Marine Protected Areas: A Case Study from Puerto Rico},
author = {Edwin A. Hernández-Delgado, Manoj Shivlani,and Alberto M. Sabat},
url = {https://www.sampr.org/sam/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Hernandez-Delgado_Sabat-2014.pdf},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-07-12},
journal = {Natural Resources},
volume = { 5},
pages = {538-560},
abstract = {Ecosystem-based management and community-based participation in governance of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been identified as key elements to improve management success, local
stakeholder support, and compliance with regulations. However, both are often rarely achieved,
resulting in poor MPA governance, support and success. A quantitative assessment of the spatiotemporal change (1997-2012) of coral reef fish communities within Arrecifes La Cordillera Natural Reserve in northeastern Puerto Rico was carried out. We also identified community expectations of and support for the designation of a network of small no-take MPAs within the reserve’s boundaries. A holistic approach employing biophysical and socioeconomic methods was used as part of a participatory model to identify priorities for the designation of candidate no-take MPAs. Populations of the most important fishery-targeted species showed a significant temporal decline, particularly in areas subjected to intense recreational activities and spearfishing. Most groupers (Serranidae), snappers (Lutjanidae), barracudas (Sphyraenidae), and some parrotfishes (Scaridae) were nearly absent at most sites. Most individuals belonged to smaller size categories. Herbivores represented the majority of the total fish biomass, suggesting strong fishing impacts on apex predators. Fish declines also occurred after two massive coral bleaching events in 1998 and 2005 that were followed by mass coral mortalities, suggesting combined negative impacts of fishing and climate change. A no-take MPA designation was supported by 80% of the artisanal fishermen, 73% of the concessionaires (i.e., SCUBA diving, charter boats), and 52% of registered vessel operators.
Stakeholders agreed that coral reef conditions in the reserve had declined over time, as well as
water quality which affected reef health and fisheries. Stakeholders did not recognize climate
change and sea surface warming as threats to coral reefs and fisheries. Nonetheless, stakeholder
perceptions of candidate no-take MPA sites remarkably matched those identified through fish
counts. This study also highlighted the pervasive views held by many stake-holders concerning
MPA management and enforcement, and recommended that any no-take MPA designation process
considers improving stakeholder participation, understanding of management objectives, actions,
and accomplishments, and building stakeholders trust. The integration of ecosystem-based and
community-based participatory models may be critical to foster improved support of no-take
MPAs and foster a long-term community-based integration to develop and implement mitigation
strategies for climate change impacts in novel future scenarios.},
keywords = {Climate change, Community-Based Management, Fish Communities, Marine Protected Areas},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Ecosystem-based management and community-based participation in governance of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been identified as key elements to improve management success, local
stakeholder support, and compliance with regulations. However, both are often rarely achieved,
resulting in poor MPA governance, support and success. A quantitative assessment of the spatiotemporal change (1997-2012) of coral reef fish communities within Arrecifes La Cordillera Natural Reserve in northeastern Puerto Rico was carried out. We also identified community expectations of and support for the designation of a network of small no-take MPAs within the reserve’s boundaries. A holistic approach employing biophysical and socioeconomic methods was used as part of a participatory model to identify priorities for the designation of candidate no-take MPAs. Populations of the most important fishery-targeted species showed a significant temporal decline, particularly in areas subjected to intense recreational activities and spearfishing. Most groupers (Serranidae), snappers (Lutjanidae), barracudas (Sphyraenidae), and some parrotfishes (Scaridae) were nearly absent at most sites. Most individuals belonged to smaller size categories. Herbivores represented the majority of the total fish biomass, suggesting strong fishing impacts on apex predators. Fish declines also occurred after two massive coral bleaching events in 1998 and 2005 that were followed by mass coral mortalities, suggesting combined negative impacts of fishing and climate change. A no-take MPA designation was supported by 80% of the artisanal fishermen, 73% of the concessionaires (i.e., SCUBA diving, charter boats), and 52% of registered vessel operators.
Stakeholders agreed that coral reef conditions in the reserve had declined over time, as well as
water quality which affected reef health and fisheries. Stakeholders did not recognize climate
change and sea surface warming as threats to coral reefs and fisheries. Nonetheless, stakeholder
perceptions of candidate no-take MPA sites remarkably matched those identified through fish
counts. This study also highlighted the pervasive views held by many stake-holders concerning
MPA management and enforcement, and recommended that any no-take MPA designation process
considers improving stakeholder participation, understanding of management objectives, actions,
and accomplishments, and building stakeholders trust. The integration of ecosystem-based and
community-based participatory models may be critical to foster improved support of no-take
MPAs and foster a long-term community-based integration to develop and implement mitigation
strategies for climate change impacts in novel future scenarios.
stakeholder support, and compliance with regulations. However, both are often rarely achieved,
resulting in poor MPA governance, support and success. A quantitative assessment of the spatiotemporal change (1997-2012) of coral reef fish communities within Arrecifes La Cordillera Natural Reserve in northeastern Puerto Rico was carried out. We also identified community expectations of and support for the designation of a network of small no-take MPAs within the reserve’s boundaries. A holistic approach employing biophysical and socioeconomic methods was used as part of a participatory model to identify priorities for the designation of candidate no-take MPAs. Populations of the most important fishery-targeted species showed a significant temporal decline, particularly in areas subjected to intense recreational activities and spearfishing. Most groupers (Serranidae), snappers (Lutjanidae), barracudas (Sphyraenidae), and some parrotfishes (Scaridae) were nearly absent at most sites. Most individuals belonged to smaller size categories. Herbivores represented the majority of the total fish biomass, suggesting strong fishing impacts on apex predators. Fish declines also occurred after two massive coral bleaching events in 1998 and 2005 that were followed by mass coral mortalities, suggesting combined negative impacts of fishing and climate change. A no-take MPA designation was supported by 80% of the artisanal fishermen, 73% of the concessionaires (i.e., SCUBA diving, charter boats), and 52% of registered vessel operators.
Stakeholders agreed that coral reef conditions in the reserve had declined over time, as well as
water quality which affected reef health and fisheries. Stakeholders did not recognize climate
change and sea surface warming as threats to coral reefs and fisheries. Nonetheless, stakeholder
perceptions of candidate no-take MPA sites remarkably matched those identified through fish
counts. This study also highlighted the pervasive views held by many stake-holders concerning
MPA management and enforcement, and recommended that any no-take MPA designation process
considers improving stakeholder participation, understanding of management objectives, actions,
and accomplishments, and building stakeholders trust. The integration of ecosystem-based and
community-based participatory models may be critical to foster improved support of no-take
MPAs and foster a long-term community-based integration to develop and implement mitigation
strategies for climate change impacts in novel future scenarios.
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