2012 COURSE DATES: AUGUST 4 – 17, 2012 - Sirenian International

Method
We selected a patch reef located on the south
west point of the caye approximately 150 ft
from the coastline. The depth of the coral
patch was 4.7 ft with 100% water clarity
which enabled ease of data collection. We
randomly selected a patch head and set up a
10 ft x 10ft study site. We randomly sampled
four quadrants within the site to determine the
percentage of substrates within the patch. A
line transect was positioned from the center of
the site east and west along the contour of the
coastline each 40 feet from the center, totaling
80 feet across. Fish counts were conducted
every 10ft radiating from the center of the
study site.
Results
Our findings show that substrate cover varied
between quadrants 1 and 2. After calculating
the total percent cover of both quadrants we
determined the reef patch substrate to be
composed of 40% rock/rubble, 22.5% hard
coral and 16.25% algae/sponge (See Table 1
in appendix).Figure 1 shows the data obtained
during the fish line transect, showing a general
trend whereby the total number of fish
decreased as the distance from the coral patch
increased. However, the east transect shows a
decreased number of fish at 10 ft from the
patch reef.
Figure 1. Number of fish located at 10 ft increments from
the center of the research site.
Discussion
This study attempted to draw up preliminary
data on the percentage of substrate types
found in a coral patches. However, due to
limited time constraints we were unable to set
up a control site with which to provide a
comparative analysis.
Our fish counts confirm our initial hypothesis
that the relative abundance of fish decreased
in relation to distance from the coral patch.
This demonstrates the importance of patch
reefs as a shelter and as a food source for fish,
and suggests fish do not migrate far from these
rocky/rubble and hard coral substrates.
We believe that the slight discrepancy in data
on the east transect line (10 ft distance) is a
result of disturbance caused while performing
the fish counts, as snorkeling became more
challenging at shallower depths.
We observed algal growth on many hard
corals as well as a small amount of disease
which may be indicative of increased nitrogen
levels, as well as other anthropogenic stresses,
and should be further investigated.
Literature Cited
Humann, P., & Deloach, N. (2002). Reef Coral
Identification. Jacksonville: New World Publications.
Kaplan, E. H. (1982). Ecology of the Coral Reef. In
E. H. Kaplan, A Field Guide to Coral Reefs,
Carribean and Florida (pp. 101-120). New York:
Houghton Mifflin Company.
Mumby, P. J. (1999). Classification Scheme for
Manatee Habitats of Belize. London: Centre for
Tropical Coastal Management Studies.
Turnball, C., & Harborne, A. (2000). Summary of
Coral Cay Conservation's Atlantic and Gulf Rapid
Reef Assessment Data From Turneff Atoll, Belize.
London: Coral Cay Conservation LTD.
Hugh Parkey Foundation for Marine Awareness & Education (belizeadventurelodge.com)
Sirenian International (sirenian.org)