During the last 20 years, SAM has developed a multiplicity of hypothesis-driven conservation and restoration projects. Being home to the oldest Community-based coral aquaculture and reef rehabilitation program in the Caribbean, we aim to develop a variety of scientific publications that highlight our commitment towards the conservatiion of our marine resources. Most publica­tions are freely available on our website.

Peer reviewed publications

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2023

Mercado-Molina, Alex E.; Suleimán-Ramos, Samuel E.

Outplants of the Threatened Coral Acropora cervicornis Promote Coral Recruitment in a Shallow-Water Coral Reef, Culebra, Puerto Rico Journal Article

In: Sustainability, vol. 15, iss. 24, no. 16548, pp. 1-13, 2023.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

I., Aponte-Marcano Patria; E., Suleimán-Ramos Samuel; E., Mercado-Molina Alex

Effectiveness of different nursery designs for the restoration of the threatened coral Acropora cervicornis in Culebra, Puerto Rico Journal Article

In: Conservation Evidence Journal, vol. 20, pp. 30-39, 2023, ISSN: 1758-2067.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Santiago-Padua, Paola; Velázquez-Alvarado, Jeremy; López-Pérez, Arelys Del Mar; Nevárez-Mélendez, Julimar; Díaz-Druet, Lemuel E.; Suleimán-Ramos, Samuel E.; Mercado-Molina, Alex E.

Demographic and population response of the threatened coral Acropora cervicornis (Scleractinia, Acroporidae) to fireworm corallivory Journal Article

In: Revista de Biología Tropical, vol. 71, iss. 1, pp. 1-15, 2023, ISSN: 2215-2075 Vol. 71 (S1): e54912.

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Toledo-Hernández, Carlos; Ruiz-Diaz, Claudia Patricia; Ramírez-Lugo, Juan Sebastian; Torres-Díaz, Marielys; Santiago-Pagán, Lisby; Bruno-Chardón, Andrea; Díaz-Vázquez, Liz M.

Uncovering the link between environmental factors and coral immunity: A study of fluorescent protein expression and phenoloxidase activity in Acropora cervicornis Journal Article

In: Frontiers in Marine Science, vol. 10, pp. 1-11, 2023.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2022

Ruiz-Diaz, Claudia Patricia; Toledo-Hernández, Carlos; Sánchez-González, Juan Luis; Betancourt, Brenda

The Effects of Depth-Related Environmental Factors on Traits in Acropora cervicornis Raised in Nurseries. Journal Article

In: Water, vol. 14, iss. 2, pp. 212, 2022.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2021

Ramírez-Lugo, Juan S.; Toledo-Hernández, Carlos; Vélez-González, Ivonne; Ruiz-Diaz, Claudia P.

CREARE: A Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience To Study the Responses of the Endangered Coral Acropora cervicornis to a Changing Environment. Journal Article

In: Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 1-12, 2021.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2020

Rodríguez-Casariego, Javier A.; Mercado-Molina, Alex E.; Garcia-Souto, Daniel; Ortiz-Rivera, Ivanna M.; Lopes, Christian; Baums, Iliana B.; Sabat, Alberto M.; Eirin-Lopez, Jose M.

Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis reveals a conserved epigenetic response to seasonal environmental variation in the staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis. Journal Article

In: Frontiers in Marine Science, vol. 7, 2020.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2019

Nieves-González, Aniel; Ruiz-Diaz, Claudia P.; Toledo-Hernández, Carlos; Ramírez-Lugo, Juan S.

A mathematical model of the interactions between Acropora cervicornis and its environment Journal Article

In: Ecological Modelling, vol. 406, pp. 7-22, 2019.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2018

Toledo-Hernández, Carlos; Ruiz-Diaz, Claudia P.; Hernández-Delgado, Edwin A.; Suleimán-Ramos, Samuel E.

Devastation of 15-year old Community-based Coral Farming and Reef-restoration Sites in Puerto Rico by Major Hurricanes Irma and María Journal Article

In: Caribbean Naturalist, no. 53, pp. 1-6, 2018, ISBN: 2326-7119.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Mercado-Molina, Alex E.; Rivera-Irizarry, Fabiola; Fonseca-Miranda, Jaime; Bruno-Laureano, Yesenia

Growth facilitation by the octocoral Gorgonia ventalina explains spatial difference in the population size structure of the common demosponge Ircinia felix Journal Article

In: Marine Biology Research, vol. 14, iss. 1, pp. 41 - 51, 2018.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Pérez-Pagán, Birla Sofía; Mercado-Molina, Alex E.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of 3D-printed corals to attract coral reef fish at Tamarindo Reef, Culebra, Puerto Rico. Journal Article

In: Conservation Evidence, vol. 15, pp. 43-47, 2018, ISSN: 1758-2067.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2017

Otaño-Cruz, Abimarie; Montañez-Acuña, Alfredo A.; Torres-López, Valeria; Hernández-Figueroa, Elix M.; Hernández-Delgado, Edwin A.

Effects of Changing Weather, Oceanographic Conditions, and Land Uses on Spatio-Temporal Variation of Sedimentation Dynamics along Near-Shore Coral Reefs Journal Article

In: Frontiers in Marine Science, vol. 4, no. 249, pp. 1-17, 2017.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2016

Mercado-Molina, Alex E.; Ruiz-Diaz, Claudia Patricia; Sabat, Alberto M.

Branching dynamics of transplanted colonies of the threatened coral Acropora cervicornis: Morphogenesis, complexity, and modeling Journal Article

In: Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, vol. 482, pp. 134-141, 2016.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2015

Mercado-Molina, Alex E.; Ruiz-Diaz, Claudia P.; Pérez, María E.; Rodríguez-Barreras, Ruber; Sabat, Alberto M.

Demography of the threatened coral Acropora cervicornis: implications for its management and conservation Journal Article

In: Coral Reefs, vol. 34, no. 4, pp. 1113-1124, 2015.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Torres-Pérez, Juan L.; Guild, Liane S.; Armstrong, Roy A.; Corredor, Jorge; Zuluaga-Montero, Anabella; Polanco, Ramón

Relative Pigment Composition and Remote Sensing Reflectance of Caribbean ShallowWater Corals Journal Article

In: PlosONE, vol. 10, iss. 11, pp. 1-20, 2015.

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Mercado-Molina, Alex E.; Ruiz-Diaz, Claudia P.; Sabat, Alberto M.

Demographics and dynamics of two restored populations of the threatened reef-building coral Acropora cervicornis Journal Article

In: Journal for Nature Conservation, vol. 24, pp. 17-23, 2015.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2014

Hernández-Delgado, Edwin A.; Mercado-Molina, Alex E.; Alejandro-Camis, Pedro J.; Candelas-Sánchez, Frances; Fonseca-Miranda, Jaime S.; González-Ramos, Carmen M.; Guzmán-Rodríguez, Roger; Mège, Pascal; Montañez-Acuña, Alfredo A.; Maldonado, Iván Olivo; Otaño-Cruz, Abimarie; Suleimán-Ramos, Samuel E.

Community-Based Coral Reef Rehabilitation in a Changing Climate: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes, Extreme Rainfall, and Changing Land Use Impacts Journal Article

In: Open Journal of Ecology, vol. 4, pp. 918-944, 2014.

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Ruiz-Diaz, Claudia Patricia; Mercado-Molina, Alex E.; Sabat, Alberto M.

Survival, growth, and branch production of unattached fragments of the threatened hermatypic coral Acropora cervicornis Journal Article

In: Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, vol. 457, pp. 215-219, 2014.

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Hernández-Delgado, Edwin A.; Suleimán-Ramos, Samuel E.

E.S.A. CORAL SPECIES LISTING: A ROADBLOCK TO COMMUNITY-BASED ENGAGEMENT IN CORAL REEF CONSERVATION AND REHABILITATION ACROSS THE U.S. CARIBBEAN? Journal Article

In: REEF ENCOUNTER, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 11-15, 2014.

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2013

Mercado-Molina, Alex; Hernández-Delgado, Edwin A.; Rivera-Rivera, José E.; Rivera-Rivera, Mayra; Suleimán-Ramos, Samuel E.; Olivo-Maldonado, Iván; Fonseca-Miranda, Jaime S.; Rodríguez-Inoa, Evelyn A.

PROTOCOLO PARA LA PROPAGACIÓN Y LA RESTAURACIÓN DE POBLACIONES DEL CORAL CUERNO DE CIERVO, ACROPORA CERVICORNIS : ESTRATEGIAS DE BAJO COSTO DE LA SOCIEDAD AMBIENTE MARINO Technical Manual

Sociedad Ambiente Marino 2013.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX