Nuestro objetivo es desarrollar diversas publicaciones científicas que destaquen nuestro compromiso con la conservación de nuestros recursos marinos.
La mayoría de las publicaciones están disponibles gratuitamente en nuestro sitio web.
2018
Pérez-Pagán, Birla Sofía; Mercado-Molina, Alex E.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of 3D-printed corals to attract coral reef fish at Tamarindo Reef, Culebra, Puerto Rico. Journal Article
In: Conservation Evidence, vol. 15, pp. 43-47, 2018, ISSN: 1758-2067.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: 3D-printed corals, Acropora cervicornis, Caribbean, Caribbean Coral Reefs, Caribbean Sea, Coastal Resilience, Conservation Biology, Coral, Coral Reef Ecology, Coral Reef Ecosystems, coral reefs
@article{Pérez-Pagán2018,
title = {Evaluation of the effectiveness of 3D-printed corals to attract coral reef fish at Tamarindo Reef, Culebra, Puerto Rico.},
author = {Birla Sofía Pérez-Pagán and Alex E. Mercado-Molina},
url = {https://www.conservationevidence.com/individual-study/6858
},
issn = {1758-2067},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-06-11},
urldate = {2018-06-11},
journal = {Conservation Evidence},
volume = {15},
pages = {43-47},
abstract = {The development of artificial corals using 3D-printing technology has been proposed as an alternative to aid the recovery of fish populations in degraded reefs. However, no study has empirically evaluated the potential of such artificial corals to attract fish to reef patches. We conducted an experiment to determine whether the number of fish associated with natural and 3D-printed corals differs significantly. The 3D-printed artificial corals mimicked the morphology of staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis, whose branches serve as habitat for many fish species. There is evidence indicating that fish abundance increases with habitat complexity, but no specific evidence relating to A. cervicornis. Therefore, we also investigated whether the structural complexity of both natural and artificial corals affected their effectiveness to attract fish. We found that the number of fish associated with artificial and natural corals was not significantly different. However, irrespective of coral type, fish were more abundant in corals with the highest levels of complexity. Our findings suggest that 3D-printed corals can serve as a complementary tool to improve the ecosystem function of degraded coral reefs.},
keywords = {3D-printed corals, Acropora cervicornis, Caribbean, Caribbean Coral Reefs, Caribbean Sea, Coastal Resilience, Conservation Biology, Coral, Coral Reef Ecology, Coral Reef Ecosystems, coral reefs},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The development of artificial corals using 3D-printing technology has been proposed as an alternative to aid the recovery of fish populations in degraded reefs. However, no study has empirically evaluated the potential of such artificial corals to attract fish to reef patches. We conducted an experiment to determine whether the number of fish associated with natural and 3D-printed corals differs significantly. The 3D-printed artificial corals mimicked the morphology of staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis, whose branches serve as habitat for many fish species. There is evidence indicating that fish abundance increases with habitat complexity, but no specific evidence relating to A. cervicornis. Therefore, we also investigated whether the structural complexity of both natural and artificial corals affected their effectiveness to attract fish. We found that the number of fish associated with artificial and natural corals was not significantly different. However, irrespective of coral type, fish were more abundant in corals with the highest levels of complexity. Our findings suggest that 3D-printed corals can serve as a complementary tool to improve the ecosystem function of degraded coral reefs.
Hernández-Delgado, Edwin A.; Mercado-Molina, Alex E.; Suleimán-Ramos, Samuel E.
Multi-Disciplinary Lessons Learned from Low-Tech Coral Farming and Reef Rehabilitation: I. Best Management Practices Book Chapter
In: Duque, Carmenza; Camacho, Edisson Tello (Ed.): Chapter 10, pp. 213-243, Corals in a Changing World, 2018, ISBN: 978-953-51-3910-2.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Caribbean Sea, coral farming, coral reefs, ecological rehabilitation, lessons learned, Puerto Rico, reef fish communities, threatened coral species
@inbook{Hernández-Delgado2018,
title = {Multi-Disciplinary Lessons Learned from Low-Tech Coral Farming and Reef Rehabilitation: I. Best Management Practices},
author = {Edwin A. Hernández-Delgado and Alex E. Mercado-Molina and Samuel E. Suleimán-Ramos},
editor = {Carmenza Duque and Edisson Tello Camacho},
url = {https://www.intechopen.com/books/corals-in-a-changing-world/multi-disciplinary-lessons-learned-from-low-tech-coral-farming-and-reef-rehabilitation-i-best-manage
https://www.intechopen.com/books/5765},
doi = {10.5772/intechopen.73151},
isbn = {978-953-51-3910-2},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-03-28},
urldate = {2018-03-28},
journal = {Corals in a Changing World},
pages = {213-243},
publisher = {Corals in a Changing World},
chapter = {10},
organization = {Intechopen},
abstract = {Low-tech coral farming and reef rehabilitation have become important community-based coral reef management tools. At least in the wider Caribbean region, these strategies have been successfully implemented to recover depleted populations of staghorn (Acropora cervicornis) and elkhorn coral (A. palmata). They have also been used with relative success to recover depleted fish assemblages. Indirectly, coral reef rehabilitation has also resulted in enhanced benthic spatial heterogeneity, in providing multiple new microhabitats for fish and invertebrate species; have contributed to the recovery of coastal resilience, increasing the protection of shorelines against erosion; and have fostered an increased interest of the tourism sector as an enhanced attraction for visitors and recreationists. Nevertheless, there is still a need to implement best management practices to improve the success of these strategies. In this chapter, lessons learned from the Community-Based Coral Aquaculture and Reef Rehabilitation Program in Culebra Island, Puerto Rico, are shared from a multi-disciplinary standpoint. Learning from past experiences is a critical process to improve science. In a time of significant projected climate change impacts and sea level rise, improving the scale of coral farming and reef rehabilitation has become a critical tool for coral reef conservation. But multiple roadblocks must still be overcome.},
keywords = {Caribbean Sea, coral farming, coral reefs, ecological rehabilitation, lessons learned, Puerto Rico, reef fish communities, threatened coral species},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inbook}
}
Low-tech coral farming and reef rehabilitation have become important community-based coral reef management tools. At least in the wider Caribbean region, these strategies have been successfully implemented to recover depleted populations of staghorn (Acropora cervicornis) and elkhorn coral (A. palmata). They have also been used with relative success to recover depleted fish assemblages. Indirectly, coral reef rehabilitation has also resulted in enhanced benthic spatial heterogeneity, in providing multiple new microhabitats for fish and invertebrate species; have contributed to the recovery of coastal resilience, increasing the protection of shorelines against erosion; and have fostered an increased interest of the tourism sector as an enhanced attraction for visitors and recreationists. Nevertheless, there is still a need to implement best management practices to improve the success of these strategies. In this chapter, lessons learned from the Community-Based Coral Aquaculture and Reef Rehabilitation Program in Culebra Island, Puerto Rico, are shared from a multi-disciplinary standpoint. Learning from past experiences is a critical process to improve science. In a time of significant projected climate change impacts and sea level rise, improving the scale of coral farming and reef rehabilitation has become a critical tool for coral reef conservation. But multiple roadblocks must still be overcome.
Hernández-Delgado, Edwin A.; Mercado-Molina, Alex E.; Suleimán-Ramos, Samuel E.; Lucking, Mary Ann
In: Duque, Carmenza; Camacho, Edisson Tello (Ed.): Chapter 11, pp. 310, Corals in a Changing World, 2018, ISBN: 978-953-51-3910-2.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Caribbean Sea, coral farming, coral reefs, ecological rehabilitation, lessons learned, Puerto Rico, reef fish communities, social-ecological systems
@inbook{Hernández-Delgado2018b,
title = {Multi-disciplinary Lessons Learned from Low-Tech Coral Farming and Reef Rehabilitation: II. Coral Demography and Social-Ecological Benefits},
author = {Edwin A. Hernández-Delgado and Alex E. Mercado-Molina and Samuel E. Suleimán-Ramos and Mary Ann Lucking},
editor = {Carmenza Duque and Edisson Tello Camacho},
url = {https://www.intechopen.com/books/corals-in-a-changing-world/multi-disciplinary-lessons-learned-from-low-tech-coral-farming-and-reef-rehabilitation-ii-coral-demo
https://sampr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Multi-disciplinaryLessonsLearned-fromLow-TechCoralFarmingandReefRehabilitation-IICoralDemographyandSocial-EcologicalBenefits.pdf},
doi = {10.5772/intechopen.74283},
isbn = {978-953-51-3910-2},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-03-22},
urldate = {2018-03-22},
pages = {310},
publisher = {Corals in a Changing World},
chapter = {11},
organization = {Intechopen},
abstract = {Low-tech coral farming and reef rehabilitation have become important tools to foster community-based participation in the management of coastal social-ecological systems. Lessons learned from coral demographic dynamics, ecosystem-level benefits, and sociological dynamics achieved in Culebra Island, Puerto Rico, are discussed. Important gaps regarding social-ecological interactions are also addressed. Coral reef rehabilitation efforts must be adaptive and focused on maximizing resilience as a long-term goal, with emphasis on managing non-linear dynamics, thresholds, environmental and climate uncertainty, and ecological surprises. In this context, coral demographic modelling becomes fundamental to address, not only ecological, but also sociological concerns. Only through sustained support and input of harvested corals restored populations, and by increasing the spatial scale of reef rehabilitation, restored populations can remain viable and grow under present and projected environmental and climate conditions. Understanding sociological dynamics, learning from others experiences, integrating visioning and scenario building, leadership building, multi-sectorial agents and actor groups, and strengthening cross-sectorial social networking are necessary adaptive approaches to cope with future environmental and climate changes, and are an integral part of reef rehabilitation. The combined benefits to social-ecological systems are multiple. With proper planning, design, funding, local support, and implementation, these can have long-lasting impacts in restoring coastal resilience.},
keywords = {Caribbean Sea, coral farming, coral reefs, ecological rehabilitation, lessons learned, Puerto Rico, reef fish communities, social-ecological systems},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inbook}
}
Low-tech coral farming and reef rehabilitation have become important tools to foster community-based participation in the management of coastal social-ecological systems. Lessons learned from coral demographic dynamics, ecosystem-level benefits, and sociological dynamics achieved in Culebra Island, Puerto Rico, are discussed. Important gaps regarding social-ecological interactions are also addressed. Coral reef rehabilitation efforts must be adaptive and focused on maximizing resilience as a long-term goal, with emphasis on managing non-linear dynamics, thresholds, environmental and climate uncertainty, and ecological surprises. In this context, coral demographic modelling becomes fundamental to address, not only ecological, but also sociological concerns. Only through sustained support and input of harvested corals restored populations, and by increasing the spatial scale of reef rehabilitation, restored populations can remain viable and grow under present and projected environmental and climate conditions. Understanding sociological dynamics, learning from others experiences, integrating visioning and scenario building, leadership building, multi-sectorial agents and actor groups, and strengthening cross-sectorial social networking are necessary adaptive approaches to cope with future environmental and climate changes, and are an integral part of reef rehabilitation. The combined benefits to social-ecological systems are multiple. With proper planning, design, funding, local support, and implementation, these can have long-lasting impacts in restoring coastal resilience.
2017
Hernández-Delgado, Edwin A.; Barba-Herrera, Sonia; Torres-Valcárcel, Angel; González-Ramos, Carmen M.; Medina-Muñiz, Jeiger L.; Montañez-Acuña, Alfredo A.; Otaño-Cruz, Abimarie; Rosado-Matías, Bernard J.; Cabrera-Beauchamp, Gerardo
In: Beltran, Carmenza Duque; Camacho, Edisson Tello (Ed.): pp. 177-211, InTech, 2017, ISBN: 978-953-51-3910-2.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Benthic community structure, Caribbean Sea, Conservation, coral bleaching, Coral Reef Resilience Index (CRRI), coral reefs, ecosystem health, marine biodiversity, marine management, novel ecosystems, Puerto Rico, tropical ecosystems
@inbook{Hernández-Delgado2017c,
title = {Coral Reef Resilience Index for Novel Ecosystems: A Spatial Planning Tool for Managers and Decision Makers - A Case Study from Puerto Rico},
author = {Edwin A. Hernández-Delgado and Sonia Barba-Herrera and Angel Torres-Valcárcel and Carmen M. González-Ramos and Jeiger L. Medina-Muñiz and Alfredo A. Montañez-Acuña and Abimarie Otaño-Cruz and Bernard J. Rosado-Matías and Gerardo Cabrera-Beauchamp},
editor = {Carmenza Duque Beltran and Edisson Tello Camacho},
url = {https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/57845
https://sampr.org/hernandez-delgado-et-al-2018-coral-reef-resilience-index/},
doi = {DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.71605},
isbn = {978-953-51-3910-2},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-12-20},
urldate = {2017-12-20},
pages = {177-211},
publisher = {InTech},
abstract = {Timely information is critical for coral reef managers and decision-makers to implement sustainable management measures. A Coral Reef Resilience Index (CRRI) was developed with a GIS-coupled decision-making tool applicable for Caribbean coral reef ecosystems. The CRRI is based on a five-point scale parameterized from the quantitative characterization of benthic assemblages. Separate subindices such as the Coral Index, the Threatened Species Index, and the Algal Index also provide specific information regarding targeted benthic components. This case study was based on assessments conducted in 2014 on 11 reef sites located across 3 geographic zones and 3 depth zones along the southwestern shelf of the island of Puerto Rico, Caribbean Sea. There was a significant spatial and bathymetric gradient (p < 0.05) in the distribution of CRRI values indicating higher degradation of inshore reefs. Mean global CRRI ranged from 2.78 to 3.17 across the shelf, ranking them as “fair.” The Coral Index ranged from 2.60 to 3.76, ranking reefs from “poor” to “good,” showing a general cross-shelf trend of improving conditions with increasing distance from pollution sources. Turbidity and ammonia were significantly correlated to CRRI scores. Multiple recommendations are provided based on coral reef conditions according to observed CRRI rankings.},
keywords = {Benthic community structure, Caribbean Sea, Conservation, coral bleaching, Coral Reef Resilience Index (CRRI), coral reefs, ecosystem health, marine biodiversity, marine management, novel ecosystems, Puerto Rico, tropical ecosystems},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inbook}
}
Timely information is critical for coral reef managers and decision-makers to implement sustainable management measures. A Coral Reef Resilience Index (CRRI) was developed with a GIS-coupled decision-making tool applicable for Caribbean coral reef ecosystems. The CRRI is based on a five-point scale parameterized from the quantitative characterization of benthic assemblages. Separate subindices such as the Coral Index, the Threatened Species Index, and the Algal Index also provide specific information regarding targeted benthic components. This case study was based on assessments conducted in 2014 on 11 reef sites located across 3 geographic zones and 3 depth zones along the southwestern shelf of the island of Puerto Rico, Caribbean Sea. There was a significant spatial and bathymetric gradient (p < 0.05) in the distribution of CRRI values indicating higher degradation of inshore reefs. Mean global CRRI ranged from 2.78 to 3.17 across the shelf, ranking them as “fair.” The Coral Index ranged from 2.60 to 3.76, ranking reefs from “poor” to “good,” showing a general cross-shelf trend of improving conditions with increasing distance from pollution sources. Turbidity and ammonia were significantly correlated to CRRI scores. Multiple recommendations are provided based on coral reef conditions according to observed CRRI rankings.