#Status of Coral Reefs 2002 - International Coral Reef Action Network

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Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2002 Puerto Rico Along with the main island, there are 2 inhabited small islands off the east coast (Culebra and Vieques), and 3 uninhabited islands (Mona, Monito, Desecheo) off the west coast. Most coral reefs occur on the east, south and west coasts, with fringing reefs being the most common type. The western two-thirds of the north coast consists of mainly hard ground and reef rock with low to very low coral cover and some small, sparse, low coral colonies. Coral reefs cover approximately 3,370km 2 within 3 nautical miles of the coasts, which are about 3% of the total coral reef area under U.S. jurisdiction (Hawaiian Islands are first with 85%). The main islands of Puerto Rico, including Culebra and Vieques, are almost completely encircled by reefs, although coral reef abundance is highly variable, depending on the local conditions. U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) Coral reefs occur around all the major islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, as well as the offshore cays. Fringing reefs, deep reefs (wall and shelf-edge), patch reefs, and spur and groove formations are present, although only St. Croix has barrier reefs. Bank reefs and scattered patch reefs with high coral diversity occur deeper offshore. The U.S. Departments of Interior, and Commerce, and the Virgin Islands Government have jurisdiction over submerged lands with coral reefs within the USVI. In 2001, NOAA completed maps of USVI coral reefs and associated ecosystems to a depth of 20m. Of the 485km 2 , 61% consisted of coral reefs and hard-bottom habitats, 33% were seagrass beds; submerged and the rest was sand or rock. Navassa This tiny (5km 2 ) uninhabited U.S. protectorate between Jamaica and Haiti, is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Knowledge about the status of the reefs is extremely limited and based on several expeditions over the past 2 years sponsored by The Ocean Conservancy. STATUS OF THE CORAL REEFS Florida The level of research and monitoring in the Florida Keys increased markedly after the declaration of the FKNMS. Seven years of data on water quality, seagrasses, and coral reef and hard bottom communities provided Sanctuary managers with trend information on the health of the coral reef ecosystem. In addition, there are 5 years of data on ecological changes associated with the implementation of the first network of marine reserves in the U.S. Those on the southeast coast of Florida and the Middle Grounds are not as well studied, but are being mapped and given some monitoring. Most of the information on these areas, however, continues to be anecdotal with some reefs appearing healthy although there was some bleaching similar to levels seen in the Florida Keys during the massive 1997-1998 event. There is little information on the status of benthic communities at the Florida Middle Grounds. There are 64 hard coral species, 2 fire corals, and 55 species of octocoral on the Florida Keys. Coral cover is highly variable depending on the habitat type and previous history, with patch reef habitats showing the fewest losses and highest average cover over time. 254
Status of Coral Reefs in the US Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico The percent hard coral cover averaged from 160 stations along the length of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary shows a steady decline in the corals over 5 years. Hard coral cover in the FKNMS has decreased from an average of 10.3% in 1996 to 6.4% in 1999 at 160 stations, and species richness at first declined from 1996-1999, but rose slightly in 2000. The type, distribution, and frequency of coral diseases are increasing, and so far 3 pathogens have been identified. Coral bleaching also remains a problem, and has been responsible for some of the dramatic declines in coral cover in the Sanctuary since 1997, but fortunately there has been no repeat of that severity of bleaching. Algae continue to dominate all sites, with average cover generally above 75% in the Keys and above 50% in the Dry Tortugas. Scientists have identified 90 species of marine macroalgae and 7 seagrasses, along with 3 species of mangroves in Florida. Seagrasses are present at over 80% of the FKNMS stations, and cover approximately 12,800km 2 in the 17,000km 2 study area. The algae and many invertebrates fluctuate widely between years e.g. algal cover increased between 1996 and 2000, while sponge and soft coral cover decreased. Similarly, algae dominate at deeper sites. There is still considerable concern about water quality, with continued pollution by agricultural chemicals, sediments, and nutrients from agriculture and industry throughout Southeast Florida and the Keys. Total phosphorus concentrations are increasing as far as the Dry Tortugas, and the increases in nitrates appear to be mostly closer to shore on the shelf of the Lower and Upper Keys. By contrast, organic nitrogen is decreasing slightly at many sites around Florida. These trends may be driven by regional circulation of the Loop and Florida Currents. Flower Garden Banks These remain amongst the least disturbed coral reefs in the Caribbean and can be considered nearly pristine. The ocean water around the reefs is clear with visibility up to 30m, and no major variations in salinity and temperature. The coral communities have remained stable and healthy since they were first studied in the early 1970s. There has been some minor damage from anchors, illegal fishing gear, tow cables, and seismic arrays. 255
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Status of Coral Reefs of the World:
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FOREWORD Our two governments have r
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CONTENTS Countries, States and Terr
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COUNTRIES, STATES AND TERRITORIES A
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Countries, States and Territories S
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INTRODUCTION We are pleased to endo
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Introduction Some of the larger fou
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Introduction Coral reefs are coming
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CLIVE WILKINSON A
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Executive Summary This report, howe
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Executive Summary GLOBAL AND REGION
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Executive Summary There is clear ev
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Executive Summary Key sites chosen
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Executive Summary • Europa and Sc
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Executive Summary CORAL REEF TARGET
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Executive Summary ICRI OPERATING UN
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Executive Summary COLLAPSE OF CORAL
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Executive Summary Prognosis for the
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Executive Summary concern is an out
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Executive Summary Southern Tropical
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Executive Summary Achievements in E
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7. STATUS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA CORAL R
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Status of Southeast Asia Coral Reef
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8. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN EAST AN
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Status of Coral Reefs in East and N
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9. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS OF AUSTRAL
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Status of Coral Reefs of Australasi
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10. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE SO
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Status of Coral Reefs in the Southw
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Status of Coral Reefs of Mesoameric
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17. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE EA
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Status of Coral Reefs in the Easter
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18. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN SOUTHE
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Status of Coral Reefs in Southern T
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19. SPONSORING ORGANISATIONS, CORAL
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Sponsoring Organisations, Coral Ree
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#Status of Coral Reefs 2002 - International Coral Reef Action Network

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