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
Mercado-Molina, Alex E.; Montañez-Acuña, Alfredo; Rodríguez-Barreras, Ruber; Colón-Miranda, Roberto; Díaz-Ortega, Geraldine; Martínez-González, Neidibel; Schleier-Hernández, Sandra; Sabat, Alberto M. Revisiting the population status of the sea urchin Diadema antillarum in northern Puerto Rico Journal Article In: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, pp. 1-8, 2014.2014
@article{Mercado-Molina2014,
title = {Revisiting the population status of the sea urchin \textit{Diadema antillarum} in northern Puerto Rico},
author = {Alex E. Mercado-Molina and Alfredo Montañez-Acuña and Ruber Rodríguez-Barreras and Roberto Colón-Miranda and Geraldine Díaz-Ortega and Neidibel Martínez-González and Sandra Schleier-Hernández and Alberto M. Sabat},
url = {https://www.sampr.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Mercado-Molinaetal.2014_Diadema.pdf
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-the-marine-biological-association-of-the-united-kingdom/article/abs/revisiting-the-population-status-of-the-sea-urchin-diadema-antillarum-in-northern-puerto-rico/E27E7958C257AF819430A078AD667989
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270160317_Revisiting_the_population_status_of_the_sea_urchin_Diadema_antillarum_in_northern_Puerto_Rico/link/54a18a1a0cf256bf8baf745c/download?_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7ImZpcnN0UGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIiwicGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIn19
},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1017/S002531541400188X},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-11-14},
urldate = {2014-11-14},
journal = {Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom},
pages = {1-8},
abstract = {The mass mortality suffered by the sea urchin Diadema antillarum between 1983–1984 is considered one of the major causes of coral reef degradation in the Caribbean. Its near disappearance resulted in a disproportionate growth of macroalgae that has led to a ‘phase shift’ from coral-to-algal dominated reefs. The close relationship between this echinoid and the functioning of coral reef ecosystems makes it imperative to better understand the potential for recovery of its populations. From 2009 to
2011, we assessed the density and size structure of D. antillarum in various reefs where previous population data were available. Results indicate a modest increase in density in all localities with respect to the last time they were surveyed in 2003/2004. Nevertheless, density values are still lower than values reported for the island prior to the die-off. Overall density did not surpass 1.49 ind. per m2, and did not change considerably during the studied period. Lack of population growth coincided with a lack of juveniles; suggesting that population growth at the studied sites may be limited by the number of individuals recruiting into the juvenile stage.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
2011, we assessed the density and size structure of D. antillarum in various reefs where previous population data were available. Results indicate a modest increase in density in all localities with respect to the last time they were surveyed in 2003/2004. Nevertheless, density values are still lower than values reported for the island prior to the die-off. Overall density did not surpass 1.49 ind. per m2, and did not change considerably during the studied period. Lack of population growth coincided with a lack of juveniles; suggesting that population growth at the studied sites may be limited by the number of individuals recruiting into the juvenile stage.