Status of Caribbean coral reefs after bleaching and hurricanes in 2005

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Status of Coral Reefs of the Lesser Antilles after the 2005 Coral Bleaching Event% Bleached100806040200Agaricia spp.S. interseptaE. fastigiataF. fragumD. strigosaM. ComplexM. cavernosaD.labyrinthiformisC. natansD. cylindrusM. meandritesD. stokesiiM. mirabilisM. decactisP. poritesP. astreoidesS. radiansS. sidereaM. complanataM. alcicornisM. squarrosaAgAsCaFaviidaeMeandrinidaePocPoritidaeSidMilleporidaeSpeciesThe proportion (%) of colonies of the more abundant hard coral species (10 or more coloniesobserved) that bleached in 2005. Data were collected at 6 reefs around Barbados during Sept/Oct2005. Abbreviated family names: Ag – Agariciidae, As – Astrocoeniidae, Ca – Caryophylliidae, Poc –Pocilloporidae, Sid – Siderastreidae (Adapted from Oxenford et al. 2007).This table summarizes the affects of bleaching from late September 2005 to February 2006, at 6 sitesaround Barbados that have been monitored regularly. Most species and a majority of colonies showedbleaching in shallow and deep water. Live cover estimates are from on-going monitoring at adjacentsites at the time of the survey (adapted from Oxenford et al.2005 2006Site, Reef type &Location (depth m)GPScoordinateSurveydateCoral speciesbleachedof total per100m 2Total no.colonies(100m 2 )Mean %coloniesbleached(SE)SurveydateMean %coloniesbleached(SE)%LivecoralcoverBatts Rock, PatchWest Coast (8)Maycocks, BankWest Coast (22)Atlantis, Bank WestCoast (16-20)North Bellairs,Fringing West Coast(3-5)Welcome Inn, BankSouthwest Coast(15)Coconut Court,Patch SouthwestCoast (5-6)N 13 o 08’08W 59 o 38’18N 13 o 17’32W 59 o 39’47N 13 o 07’18W 59 o 38’55N 13 o 11’18W 59 o 38’31N 13 o 03’35W 59 o 33’25N 13 o 04’24W 59 o 36’1115-Sep 15/20 791 73.8(6.8)7-Feb 46.0(1.7)23 Sep 14/16 409 59.1 9-Feb 32.6(2.7)30-Sep 15/17 445 63.0(3.8)4-Oct 14/17 1629 82.0(3.1)5-Oct 20/21 621 59.4(6.9)6-Oct 15/16 713 86.0(1.3)Overall 26/29 4608 70.6(4.8)7-Feb 43.7(6.7)29.937.8349-Feb 39.7(8.7) 23.36-Feb 43.1(3.0) 22.96-Feb 19.9(1.5) 25.837.5(2.5)28.999
Status of Caribbean Coral Reefs after Bleaching and Hurricanes in 2005The bleaching event developed rapidly and simultaneously on deep and shallow reefs on boththe west and southwest coasts of the island. The first signs of bleaching in the most susceptiblespecies appeared when SSTs rose above 30 o C for more than 1 week. As the length of exposureincreased, virtually all hard coral species eventually bleached, regardless of whether they wereon degraded inshore or healthy offshore reefs. This demonstrated that elevated SSTs can causecoral bleaching on a massive scale and override other stress signals.The onset of bleaching mortality was rapid in some corals, notably Millepora and Porites porites,whilst the vast majority remained bleached for many months without significant mortality. InFebruary 2006, there was a mean of 37.5% of colonies still bleached, although mortality wasonly 3.8%. By June 2006, bleaching persisted in 17.2% of colonies and recent mortality wasmuch higher at 18.7%. Inshore reefs were harder hit, with 20.1% colony mortality, comparedwith 17.4% mortality for the offshore reefs.So c i o e c o n o m i c Im p a c t s a n d Ma n ag e m e n t ResponsesThe events of 2005 are of great concern for tropical islands like Barbados; particularly as theglobal warming trend is predicted to continue. If SSTs rise by 2-3 o C, annual bleaching willprobably become common in the Caribbean. Therefore, a well-coordinated, regional monitoringprogram is required so that more effective management strategies can be implemented at boththe regional and local levels.Coral reefs are recognized as being particularly important to the Barbados economy; thus theGovernment, through its Coastal Zone Management Unit, has developed a coastal managementplan with sections devoted specifically to coral reef protection. This includes a long-termprogram of monitoring for reefs at 5 yr intervals on 21 west coast, 16 southwest coast fringingand patch reefs and 6 west and southwest coast bank reefs. Previous monitoring indicates thatmuch of the reef deterioration on the west coast was the result of increasing nutrients from theland. In response, the Government constructed the South and West Coast Sewage TreatmentProject to reduce pollution. This was part of a coastal zone management plan that outlinespermitted coastal development and is enforced through the Coastal Zone Management Act,which protects all corals from physical damage, and the Marine Pollution Control Act, whichprotects corals from land-based sources of pollution.The Government has recognized that healthy reefs are more resilient to coral bleaching andother effects of climate change (e.g. potentially greater incidence of coral disease) than degradedreefs. As a result, increasing efforts to reduce anthropogenic stress has become a managementpriority. Efforts to manage and conserve coral reefs must include all reef types to cover thespectrum of resistance and resilience to bleaching demonstrated by the various coral speciesin different reef habitats. Small, vulnerable states like Barbados should strive to minimizeanthropogenic effects on corals to conserve coral reef resources locally, and put pressure onthe international community to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.100
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Dedication: This book is dedicated
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Status of Coral Reefs in the Caribb
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3. Hu r r i ca n e s a n d t h e i
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Hurricanes and their Effect on Cora
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Hurricanes and their Effect on Cora
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4. Th e 2005 Bl e a c h i n g Ev e
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The 2005 Bleaching Event: Coral-Lis
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Status of Caribbean coral reefs after bleaching and hurricanes in 2005

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