Status of Caribbean coral reefs after bleaching and hurricanes in 2005

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Status of Caribbean Coral Reefs after Bleaching and Hurricanes in 2005Arlene (TS)Cindy (TD)Emily (4)Stan (TS)Wilma(4)Beta (3)Gamma (TS)Weekly mean % Temperature (C)313029282726Dennis(3)2 DHW 3 DHW 1.5 DHW 2 DHWWeeksCold air mass‘northers’ begin1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4June July August September October November DecemberTropical storm name (strength category) and time of occurence for 2005 storms in the Western Caribbean/MAR area.Water temperatures provided by Smithsonian Institution’s laboratory on Carrie Bow Caye, Belize (CCRE Program)Water temperatures in 2005 reached the bleaching threshold (around 30°C) on several occasions,however the passage of tropical storms in the Gulf of Mexico and Western Caribbean between Juneand December may have contributed to the series of sharp temperature declines noted in the graphabove.The numerous tropical storms and hurricanes by-passing Belize in 2005 may have benefitedthe reefs of Belize by lowering SSTs, truncating the cumulative thermal stress, and therebyreducing the eventual extent of coral mortality.Status of Reefs in 2006: A comprehensive reef assessment was conducted by WWF and partnersin summer 2006 using the Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) protocol. Thissurvey found negligible bleaching and minimal recent mortality on 141 reefs that were selectedbased on geomorphology and a randomized design using the millennium coral reef maps forthe region. Only 207 of the 5614 colonies assessed (3.7%) showed any signs of coral bleaching.Interestingly, bleaching incidence was higher among fore-reef sites compared with other reefhabitats. Disease infestation was also low overall, with less than 2% of colonies affected by anydisease. Mean recent mortality for the 140 reefs (5614 coral colonies) was less than 1.5%, withno significant differences among habitats. Although the 2005 bleaching event did not causesignificant damage to Belize’s reefs, overall live coral cover remains relatively low, averagingabout 10% and the bleaching may have slowed recovery by 1 to 2 years.Fore- and pinnacle reefs were dominated by colonies of Agaricia, while Porites dominated patchreefs and reef flats. Mean fleshy macroalgae cover was 16% on fore-reefs, 18% on patch reefs,15% on reef flats and 14% on pinnacle reefs. Coral recruitment was greatest on pinnacle reefs(7 per m 2 ) followed by reef flats (4/m 2 ), patch reefs (3/m 2 ) and fore-reefs (3/m 2 ). Herbivorous52
Status of the Mesoamerican Reef after the 2005 Coral Bleaching Eventfish (parrotfish and surgeonfish) biomass was 2.7 kg/100m 2 , 1.8 kg/100m 2 , 1.6 kg/100m 2 , and1.3 kg/100m 2 on pinnacle reefs, fore-reefs, reef flats and patch reefs respectively.A summary of reef status in Belize in 2006 shows that the 2005 bleaching event resulted in only lowlevels of prolonged coral bleaching, disease and mortality. Data provided by WWF.Reef Habitat(n = number ofcolonies assessed)Mean CoralCover (%)(± S.D)ColoniesAffected byBleaching (%)ColoniesAffected byDisease (%)Recent ColonyMortality (%)Fore-Reef (n = 2295) 11 (± 4.8) 5.7 1.6 0.9Patch Reef (n = 1348) 11.5 (± 5) 1.9 1.3 2.1Pinnacle Reef (n = 156) 15.2 1.9 0.6 0.6Reef Flat (n = 1815) 11.3 (± 7.1) 2.7 1.3 1.0Socioeconomic impacts and management responses: The lives of many Belizeans are inextricablylinked to the health of their coral reefs through their dependence on the tourism and fishingindustries, and their need for coastal protection (low-lying coastlines). For centuries, the reefshave provided cultural, ecological and economic benefits as well as physical protection duringstorms and hurricanes. Belize’s growing tourism industry accounts for about 23% of the GDP(based on 2002 figures) with a total annual value of US$194 million. The fishing industryremains an important contributor with export earnings of US$67.16 million in 2005 (3.8%of GDP in 2005). Based on Caribbean averages, the value of shoreline protection in Belize isroughly estimated at US$35 to US$100 million per annum. The estimated total value of goodsand services provided is roughly US$150 million per year (based on Belize’s proportion ofCaribbean reefs as calculated by Reefs at Risk Caribbean). A full economic evaluation of Belize’sreefs will be conducted in 2007 by World Resources Institute (WRI) and WWF.The reefs in Belize have declined during the last decade from a generally healthy condition tocurrently having lower coral and fish abundances than other areas of the Caribbean. There arenow many marine conservation and monitoring programs in Belize, and 18 MPAs encompassingabout 250,000 ha. Furthermore, the increased global significance of Belize and the widerMesoamerican Reef is demonstrated by the establishment of regionally focused projects andinitiatives, including: the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System Project, a Global EnvironmentFacility (GEF)/World Bank project that is now poised to enter its second 5-year phase; WWF’sMesoamerican Reef Ecoregional Program; the Nature Conservancy’s Mesoamerican ReefProgram; the Wildlife Conservation Society’s marine program in Belize; the International CoralReef Action Network (ICRAN) Mesoamerican Reef Alliance; and the Healthy MesoamericanReef Ecosystem Initiative. Since late 2003, however, national reef management efforts in Belizehave suffered from the loss of funding and capacity within the Belize Coastal Zone ManagementAuthority and Institute.MexicoReefs border the state of Quintana Roo on the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. The coastlineis noted for its lack of surface rivers, although there are abundant subsurface flows within thelimestone terrain. Coral reefs along the Mexican Caribbean coast consist of partially submerged53
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Dedication: This book is dedicated
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The Effects of Coral Bleaching in S
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Managing for Mass Coral Bleaching:
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Status of Caribbean coral reefs after bleaching and hurricanes in 2005

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