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.
2025
Hernández-Delgado, Edwin A.; Rodríguez-González, Yanina M.
In: Atmosphere, vol. 16, iss. 5, no. 575, pp. 1- 45, 2025.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Anthropocene, Caribbean, Coral Reef, eastern tropical Pacific, runaway climate, sea surface temperature, surface (2 m) temperature
@article{Hernández-Delgado2025,
title = {Climate extremes across the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific in the Anthropocene: Threats to coral reef conservation, restoration, and regional socio-economic resilience.},
author = {Edwin A. Hernández-Delgado and Yanina M. Rodríguez-González},
url = {https://sampr.org/atmosphere-16-00575/
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/5/575},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16050575},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-05-11},
urldate = {2025-05-11},
journal = {Atmosphere},
volume = {16},
number = {575},
issue = {5},
pages = {1- 45},
abstract = {Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are increasingly affecting tropical seas, causing mass coral bleaching and mortality in the wider Caribbean (WC) and eastern tropical Pacific (ETP). This leads to significant coral loss, reduced biodiversity, and impaired ecological functions. Climate models forecast a troubling future for Latin American coral reefs, but downscaled projections for the WC and ETP remain limited. Understanding regional temperature thresholds that threaten coral reef futures and restoration efforts is critical. Our goals included analyzing historical trends in July–August–September–October (JASO) temperature anomalies and exploring future projections at subregional and country levels. From 1940 to 2023, JASO air and ocean temperature anomalies showed significant increases. Projections indicate that even under optimistic scenario 4.5, temperatures may exceed the +1.5 °C air threshold beyond pre-industrial levels by the 2040s and the +1.0 °C ocean threshold beyond historical annual maximums by the 2030s, resulting in severe coral bleaching and mortality. Business-as-usual scenario 8.5 suggests conditions will become intolerable for coral conservation and restoration by the 2030s, with decadal warming trends largely surpassing historical rates, under unbearable conditions for corals. The immediate development of regional and local adaptive coral reef conservation and restoration plans, along with climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, is essential to provide time for optimistic scenarios to materialize.},
keywords = {Anthropocene, Caribbean, Coral Reef, eastern tropical Pacific, runaway climate, sea surface temperature, surface (2 m) temperature},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are increasingly affecting tropical seas, causing mass coral bleaching and mortality in the wider Caribbean (WC) and eastern tropical Pacific (ETP). This leads to significant coral loss, reduced biodiversity, and impaired ecological functions. Climate models forecast a troubling future for Latin American coral reefs, but downscaled projections for the WC and ETP remain limited. Understanding regional temperature thresholds that threaten coral reef futures and restoration efforts is critical. Our goals included analyzing historical trends in July–August–September–October (JASO) temperature anomalies and exploring future projections at subregional and country levels. From 1940 to 2023, JASO air and ocean temperature anomalies showed significant increases. Projections indicate that even under optimistic scenario 4.5, temperatures may exceed the +1.5 °C air threshold beyond pre-industrial levels by the 2040s and the +1.0 °C ocean threshold beyond historical annual maximums by the 2030s, resulting in severe coral bleaching and mortality. Business-as-usual scenario 8.5 suggests conditions will become intolerable for coral conservation and restoration by the 2030s, with decadal warming trends largely surpassing historical rates, under unbearable conditions for corals. The immediate development of regional and local adaptive coral reef conservation and restoration plans, along with climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, is essential to provide time for optimistic scenarios to materialize.
2024
Ruiz-Diaz, Claudia Patricia; Toledo-Hernández, Carlos; Sánchez-González, Juan Luis; Mercado-Molina, Alex E.
A successful method to restore seagrass habitats in coastal areas affected by consecutive natural events Journal Article
In: PeerJ, pp. 1-17, 2024.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Carbon storage, Caribbean, Halophila stipulacea, Hurricanes, Plug propagation units (PUS), restoration, Syringodium filiforme, Thalassia testudinum
@article{Ruiz-Diaz2024,
title = {A successful method to restore seagrass habitats in coastal areas affected by consecutive natural events},
author = {Claudia Patricia Ruiz-Diaz and Carlos Toledo-Hernández and Juan Luis Sánchez-González and Alex E. Mercado-Molina},
editor = {Haider Mahmood},
url = {https://peerj.com/articles/16700/
},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16700},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-02},
journal = {PeerJ},
pages = {1-17},
abstract = {Seagrass meadows, known for providing essential ecosystem services like supporting fishing, coastline protection from erosion, and acting as carbon sinks to mitigate climate change effects, are facing severe degradation. The current deteriorating state can be attributed to the combination of anthropogenic activities, biological factors (i.e., invasive species), and natural forces (i.e., hurricanes). Indeed, the global seagrass cover is diminishing at an alarming mean rate of 7% annually, jeopardizing the health of these vital ecosystems. However, in the Island Municipality of Culebra, Puerto Rico, losses are occurring at a faster pace. For instance, hurricanes have caused over 10% of cover seagrass losses, and the natural recovery of seagrasses across Culebra’s coast has been slow due to the low growth rates of native seagrasses (Thalassia testudinum and Syringodium filiforme) and the invasion of the invasive species Halophila stipulacea. Restoration programs are, thus, necessary to revitalize the native seagrass communities and associated fauna while limiting the spread of the invasive species.},
keywords = {Carbon storage, Caribbean, Halophila stipulacea, Hurricanes, Plug propagation units (PUS), restoration, Syringodium filiforme, Thalassia testudinum},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Seagrass meadows, known for providing essential ecosystem services like supporting fishing, coastline protection from erosion, and acting as carbon sinks to mitigate climate change effects, are facing severe degradation. The current deteriorating state can be attributed to the combination of anthropogenic activities, biological factors (i.e., invasive species), and natural forces (i.e., hurricanes). Indeed, the global seagrass cover is diminishing at an alarming mean rate of 7% annually, jeopardizing the health of these vital ecosystems. However, in the Island Municipality of Culebra, Puerto Rico, losses are occurring at a faster pace. For instance, hurricanes have caused over 10% of cover seagrass losses, and the natural recovery of seagrasses across Culebra’s coast has been slow due to the low growth rates of native seagrasses (Thalassia testudinum and Syringodium filiforme) and the invasion of the invasive species Halophila stipulacea. Restoration programs are, thus, necessary to revitalize the native seagrass communities and associated fauna while limiting the spread of the invasive species.
2023
Mercado-Molina, Alex E.; Suleimán-Ramos, Samuel E.
Outplants of the Threatened Coral Acropora cervicornis Promote Coral Recruitment in a Shallow-Water Coral Reef, Culebra, Puerto Rico Journal Article
In: Sustainability, vol. 15, iss. 24, no. 16548, pp. 1-13, 2023.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Acropora cervicornis, Caribbean, coral outplans, coral recruitment, coral reef degradation, coral reefs restauration
@article{Mercado-Molina2023,
title = {Outplants of the Threatened Coral \textit{Acropora cervicornis} Promote Coral Recruitment in a Shallow-Water Coral Reef, Culebra, Puerto Rico},
author = {Alex E. Mercado-Molina and Samuel E. Suleimán-Ramos },
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/24/16548
https://sampr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Outplants-of-the-Threatened-Coral-Acropora-cervicornis-Promote-Coral-Recruitment-in-a-Shallow-Water-Coral-Reef-CulebraPuerto-Rico-sustainability-15-16548.pdf},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/su152416548},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-12-05},
urldate = {2023-12-05},
journal = {Sustainability},
volume = {15},
number = {16548},
issue = {24},
pages = {1-13},
abstract = {The numerous socioeconomic and ecological challenges that coral reef degradation poses in the Greater Caribbean have led to a surge in restoration efforts. In this context, outplanting nursery-reared coral colonies has emerged as one of the most common strategies used to rejuvenate degraded reefs and reinstate critical ecosystem processes such as coral recruitment. However, the extent to which coral outplanting promotes the recruitment of coral species remains a subject of ongoing debate. This study tested the hypothesis that reintroducing the threatened coral Acropora cervicornis to a degraded coral reef promotes coral recruitment. To test our hypothesis, a series of recruitment
quadrats were established in an area populated with A. cervicornis outplants and in a reference location devoid of the coral. To further investigate the relationship between A. cervicornis and coral recruitment, an experiment was implemented in which half of the quadrats in the restored area received a coral outplant, while the other half were left undisturbed. After one year, all coral recruits located within the quadrats were counted and identified. It was found that in the restored area the mean recruit density exceeded that of the reference location by a factor of 2.15. Results also unveiled a positive association between coral recruitment and the presence of A. cervicornis. Specifically,
the mean recruit density in quadrats that received an A. cervicornis colony was 2.21 to 4.65-times higher than in the quadrats without coral outplants. This intriguing observation underscores the pivotal role of A. cervicornis in shaping the recruitment dynamics of corals within degraded reef areas, highlighting the potential of active coral outplanting to enhance the resilience of deteriorating coral reef ecosystems.},
keywords = {Acropora cervicornis, Caribbean, coral outplans, coral recruitment, coral reef degradation, coral reefs restauration},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The numerous socioeconomic and ecological challenges that coral reef degradation poses in the Greater Caribbean have led to a surge in restoration efforts. In this context, outplanting nursery-reared coral colonies has emerged as one of the most common strategies used to rejuvenate degraded reefs and reinstate critical ecosystem processes such as coral recruitment. However, the extent to which coral outplanting promotes the recruitment of coral species remains a subject of ongoing debate. This study tested the hypothesis that reintroducing the threatened coral Acropora cervicornis to a degraded coral reef promotes coral recruitment. To test our hypothesis, a series of recruitment
quadrats were established in an area populated with A. cervicornis outplants and in a reference location devoid of the coral. To further investigate the relationship between A. cervicornis and coral recruitment, an experiment was implemented in which half of the quadrats in the restored area received a coral outplant, while the other half were left undisturbed. After one year, all coral recruits located within the quadrats were counted and identified. It was found that in the restored area the mean recruit density exceeded that of the reference location by a factor of 2.15. Results also unveiled a positive association between coral recruitment and the presence of A. cervicornis. Specifically,
the mean recruit density in quadrats that received an A. cervicornis colony was 2.21 to 4.65-times higher than in the quadrats without coral outplants. This intriguing observation underscores the pivotal role of A. cervicornis in shaping the recruitment dynamics of corals within degraded reef areas, highlighting the potential of active coral outplanting to enhance the resilience of deteriorating coral reef ecosystems.
quadrats were established in an area populated with A. cervicornis outplants and in a reference location devoid of the coral. To further investigate the relationship between A. cervicornis and coral recruitment, an experiment was implemented in which half of the quadrats in the restored area received a coral outplant, while the other half were left undisturbed. After one year, all coral recruits located within the quadrats were counted and identified. It was found that in the restored area the mean recruit density exceeded that of the reference location by a factor of 2.15. Results also unveiled a positive association between coral recruitment and the presence of A. cervicornis. Specifically,
the mean recruit density in quadrats that received an A. cervicornis colony was 2.21 to 4.65-times higher than in the quadrats without coral outplants. This intriguing observation underscores the pivotal role of A. cervicornis in shaping the recruitment dynamics of corals within degraded reef areas, highlighting the potential of active coral outplanting to enhance the resilience of deteriorating coral reef ecosystems.
Hernández-Delgado, Edwin A.
Climate change impacts on Caribbean coastal ecosystems Book Chapter
In: Bustos, Beatriz; Mauro, Salvatore Engel-Di; García-López, Gustavo; Milanez, Felipe; Ojeda., Diana (Ed.): Chapter 4, pp. 15, Routledge Handbook of Latin America and the Environment, London, 1st Edition, 2023, ISBN: 9780429344428.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Caribbean, Caribbean Coral Reefs, Climate change, Coastal spatial variability
@inbook{Hernández-Delgado2023b,
title = {Climate change impacts on Caribbean coastal ecosystems},
author = {Edwin A. Hernández-Delgado},
editor = {Beatriz Bustos and Salvatore Engel-Di Mauro and Gustavo García-López and Felipe Milanez and Diana Ojeda.},
url = {https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/edit/10.4324/9780429344428/routledge-handbook-latin-america-environment-beatriz-bustos-salvatore-engel-di-mauro-gustavo-garc%C3%ADa-l%C3%B3pez-felipe-milanez-diana-ojeda?refId=2d2078f6-0cea-4106-8795-391245abd2df&context=ubx
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/edit/10.4324/9780429344428/routledge-handbook-latin-america-environment-beatriz-bustos-salvatore-engel-di-mauro-gustavo-garc%C3%ADa-l%C3%B3pez-felipe-milanez-diana-ojeda},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429344428},
isbn = {9780429344428},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-05-30},
urldate = {2023-05-30},
pages = {15},
publisher = { Routledge Handbook of Latin America and the Environment},
address = {London},
edition = {1st Edition},
chapter = {4},
abstract = {This chapter provides a review and discussion of the main ecological and environmental challenges of coastal ecosystems of the Wider Caribbean region in the context of Anthropogenic climate change. The topic was developed through an interdisciplinary ecological and socio-environmental perspective that includes the mutually influential relations of biophysical and social processes. It discusses the importance of natural disasters, threats, and risks from the lack of environmental sustainability and injustice, and land-use degradation patterns. It also addresses the question of how this combination of factors, in the context of still strong colonial policies, legacies and environmental injustice, has resulted in the increased degradation of coastal ecosystems and in increasing the vulnerability of both ecosystems and human communities to threats by climate change. Factors such as hurricane impacts, deforestation, air and water pollution, water scarcity, lack of food security and sovereignty, overfishing, and sea surface warming trends, massive coral bleaching, and mass coral mortalities are also addressed in the context of rapidly declining ecosystem and infrastructure resilience across the region. A conceptual model of potential climate change impacts is presented based on coastal ecosystems to provide a clear sense of the ecosystem trajectories, turning points, factors, and current issues confronting ecosystems and environments across the Wider Caribbean region.},
keywords = {Caribbean, Caribbean Coral Reefs, Climate change, Coastal spatial variability},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inbook}
}
This chapter provides a review and discussion of the main ecological and environmental challenges of coastal ecosystems of the Wider Caribbean region in the context of Anthropogenic climate change. The topic was developed through an interdisciplinary ecological and socio-environmental perspective that includes the mutually influential relations of biophysical and social processes. It discusses the importance of natural disasters, threats, and risks from the lack of environmental sustainability and injustice, and land-use degradation patterns. It also addresses the question of how this combination of factors, in the context of still strong colonial policies, legacies and environmental injustice, has resulted in the increased degradation of coastal ecosystems and in increasing the vulnerability of both ecosystems and human communities to threats by climate change. Factors such as hurricane impacts, deforestation, air and water pollution, water scarcity, lack of food security and sovereignty, overfishing, and sea surface warming trends, massive coral bleaching, and mass coral mortalities are also addressed in the context of rapidly declining ecosystem and infrastructure resilience across the region. A conceptual model of potential climate change impacts is presented based on coastal ecosystems to provide a clear sense of the ecosystem trajectories, turning points, factors, and current issues confronting ecosystems and environments across the Wider Caribbean region.
Santiago-Padua, Paola; Velázquez-Alvarado, Jeremy; López-Pérez, Arelys Del Mar; Nevárez-Mélendez, Julimar; Díaz-Druet, Lemuel E.; Suleimán-Ramos, Samuel E.; Mercado-Molina, Alex E.
Demographic and population response of the threatened coral Acropora cervicornis (Scleractinia, Acroporidae) to fireworm corallivory Journal Article
In: Revista de Biología Tropical, vol. 71, iss. 1, pp. 1-15, 2023, ISSN: 2215-2075 Vol. 71 (S1): e54912.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Acropora cervicornis, Caribbean, coral demographics, coral outplants, elasticity analysis, Hermodice carunculata, population matrix model, predation, restored population
@article{Santiago-Padua2023,
title = {Demographic and population response of the threatened coral \textit{Acropora cervicornis} (\textit{Scleractinia}, \textit{Acroporidae}) to fireworm corallivory},
author = {Paola Santiago-Padua and Jeremy Velázquez-Alvarado and Arelys Del Mar López-Pérez and Julimar Nevárez-Mélendez and Lemuel E. Díaz-Druet and Samuel E. Suleimán-Ramos and Alex E. Mercado-Molina},
url = {https://revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/rbt/article/view/54912
https://sampr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Demographic-and-population-response-of-the-threatened-coral-Acropora-cervicornis-Scleractinia-Acroporidae-to-fireworm-corallivory.pdf},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.15517/rev.biol.trop..v71iS1.54912},
issn = {2215-2075 Vol. 71 (S1): e54912},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-04-30},
urldate = {2023-04-30},
journal = {Revista de Biología Tropical},
volume = {71},
issue = {1},
pages = {1-15},
abstract = {Introduction: The fireworm Hermodice carunculata is a widespread polychaete that can prey upon many coral species. However, few studies have examined the effect of fireworm predation on coral demographics during non-outbreak periods.
Objective: To determine whether predation by H. carunculata compromised the growth, survival, and population performance of the threatened coral Acropora cervicornis.
Methods: Nursery-reared coral fragments (n = 99) were fixed to the bottom of Punta Melones reef in the Island Municipality of Culebra, Puerto Rico. Predation activity and its demographic consequences on coral outplants were assessed from December 2020 to August 2022. Susceptibility to predation was compared between colonies collected directly from the reef and those originating from outside sources (e.g., coral nurseries). With the demographic data, simple size-based population matrix models were developed to 1) examine whether fireworm predation led to a significant decline in population growth rate (λ), 2) determine the demographic transition(s) that contribute the most to λ, and 3) determining the demographic transition(s) that accounted for differences in λ when comparing scenarios that considered either only predated colonies or both predated and non-predated outplants.
Results: Predation increased over time, being more frequently observed in the area with the highest topographic relief and on colonies foreign to the study site. Outplants that were partially consumed grew significantly slower than non-predated colonies; however, predation did not threaten their survival. The likelihood of being attacked by the fireworm increased with branching complexity. The estimated λ for a scenario considering only predated colonies was 0.99, whereas, for a scenario where both predated and non-predated colonies were considered, λ was 0.91. Population growth, under the two scenarios, was mainly influenced by the probability of a large colony surviving and remaining at the largest size.
Conclusions: Although predation can negatively impact coral growth, the relatively high survival rate of predated colonies compensates for the adverse effect. Since survival is the demographic transition that contributes most to population growth, it could be concluded that under a non-outbreak scenario, fireworm predation may not be the primary cause of A. cervicornis population decline.
Keywords: coral demographics; coral outplants; elasticity analysis; Hermodice carunculata; population matrix model; predation; restored population.},
keywords = {Acropora cervicornis, Caribbean, coral demographics, coral outplants, elasticity analysis, Hermodice carunculata, population matrix model, predation, restored population},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Introduction: The fireworm Hermodice carunculata is a widespread polychaete that can prey upon many coral species. However, few studies have examined the effect of fireworm predation on coral demographics during non-outbreak periods.
Objective: To determine whether predation by H. carunculata compromised the growth, survival, and population performance of the threatened coral Acropora cervicornis.
Methods: Nursery-reared coral fragments (n = 99) were fixed to the bottom of Punta Melones reef in the Island Municipality of Culebra, Puerto Rico. Predation activity and its demographic consequences on coral outplants were assessed from December 2020 to August 2022. Susceptibility to predation was compared between colonies collected directly from the reef and those originating from outside sources (e.g., coral nurseries). With the demographic data, simple size-based population matrix models were developed to 1) examine whether fireworm predation led to a significant decline in population growth rate (λ), 2) determine the demographic transition(s) that contribute the most to λ, and 3) determining the demographic transition(s) that accounted for differences in λ when comparing scenarios that considered either only predated colonies or both predated and non-predated outplants.
Results: Predation increased over time, being more frequently observed in the area with the highest topographic relief and on colonies foreign to the study site. Outplants that were partially consumed grew significantly slower than non-predated colonies; however, predation did not threaten their survival. The likelihood of being attacked by the fireworm increased with branching complexity. The estimated λ for a scenario considering only predated colonies was 0.99, whereas, for a scenario where both predated and non-predated colonies were considered, λ was 0.91. Population growth, under the two scenarios, was mainly influenced by the probability of a large colony surviving and remaining at the largest size.
Conclusions: Although predation can negatively impact coral growth, the relatively high survival rate of predated colonies compensates for the adverse effect. Since survival is the demographic transition that contributes most to population growth, it could be concluded that under a non-outbreak scenario, fireworm predation may not be the primary cause of A. cervicornis population decline.
Keywords: coral demographics; coral outplants; elasticity analysis; Hermodice carunculata; population matrix model; predation; restored population.
Objective: To determine whether predation by H. carunculata compromised the growth, survival, and population performance of the threatened coral Acropora cervicornis.
Methods: Nursery-reared coral fragments (n = 99) were fixed to the bottom of Punta Melones reef in the Island Municipality of Culebra, Puerto Rico. Predation activity and its demographic consequences on coral outplants were assessed from December 2020 to August 2022. Susceptibility to predation was compared between colonies collected directly from the reef and those originating from outside sources (e.g., coral nurseries). With the demographic data, simple size-based population matrix models were developed to 1) examine whether fireworm predation led to a significant decline in population growth rate (λ), 2) determine the demographic transition(s) that contribute the most to λ, and 3) determining the demographic transition(s) that accounted for differences in λ when comparing scenarios that considered either only predated colonies or both predated and non-predated outplants.
Results: Predation increased over time, being more frequently observed in the area with the highest topographic relief and on colonies foreign to the study site. Outplants that were partially consumed grew significantly slower than non-predated colonies; however, predation did not threaten their survival. The likelihood of being attacked by the fireworm increased with branching complexity. The estimated λ for a scenario considering only predated colonies was 0.99, whereas, for a scenario where both predated and non-predated colonies were considered, λ was 0.91. Population growth, under the two scenarios, was mainly influenced by the probability of a large colony surviving and remaining at the largest size.
Conclusions: Although predation can negatively impact coral growth, the relatively high survival rate of predated colonies compensates for the adverse effect. Since survival is the demographic transition that contributes most to population growth, it could be concluded that under a non-outbreak scenario, fireworm predation may not be the primary cause of A. cervicornis population decline.
Keywords: coral demographics; coral outplants; elasticity analysis; Hermodice carunculata; population matrix model; predation; restored population.
2021
Cortés-Useche, Camilo; Hernández-Delgado, Edwin A.; Calle-Triviño, Johanna; Blasco, Rita Sellares; Galván, Victor; Arias-González, Jesús E.
Conservation actions and ecological context: optimizing coral reef local management in the Dominican Republic Journal Article
In: Peerj, vol. 9, no. e10925, pp. 1-28, 2021.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: biodiversity, Caribbean, Coastal health, coral reefs, coral restoration, Dominican Republic, Management, Marine protected area, Tropical coastal ecosystems, Water quality
@article{Cortés-Useche2021,
title = {Conservation actions and ecological context: optimizing coral reef local management in the Dominican Republic},
author = {Camilo Cortés-Useche and Edwin A. Hernández-Delgado and Johanna Calle-Triviño and Rita Sellares Blasco and Victor Galván and Jesús E. Arias-González},
editor = {Ida Kubiszewski and Jonathan Colville},
url = {https://peerj.com/articles/10925/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7953877/
https://sampr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Conservation-actions-and-ecological-context-optimizing-coral-reef-local-management-in-the-Dominican-Republic-peerj-10925.pdf},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10925},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-03-09},
urldate = {2021-03-09},
journal = {Peerj},
volume = {9},
number = { e10925},
pages = {1-28},
abstract = {Over the past few decades, coral reef ecosystems have been lost at accelerated rates as a result of global climate change and local stressors. Local management schemes can help improve the condition of coral reefs by enhancing their ecosystem recovery capacity. Caribbean conservation efforts include mitigation of local anthropogenic stressors, and integrating social participation. Here, we analyzed the case of the Bayahibe reefs in the Southeastern (SE) Dominican Republic to identify conservation actions and illustrate a conceptual example of local seascape management. We assessed reef health indicators from 2011 to 2016. Overall, our results show increases in total fish biomass, in both commercial and herbivorous fishes. Mean live coral cover was 31% and fleshy macroalgae was 23% after multiple disturbances such as Hurricanes Sandy and Isaac (2012), Mathew (2016) and heat stress presented in the study area in 2015. We also described actions taken by stakeholders and government institutions, including the implementation of a policy declaring an area of 869,000 ha as a marine protected area (MPA), enhanced water quality treatment, local restrictions to vessel traffic, enforcement of fishing regulations, and the removal of invasive lionfish (Pterois spp.). In addition, a restoration program for the threatened staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) was established in 2011, and currently has eight coral nurseries and six outplanting sites. Considering the biology and ecology of these reefs, we observed good results for these indicators (live coral cover, fish biomass, and water quality) in contrast with severely degraded Caribbean reefs, suggesting that optimizing local management may be a useful example for improving reef condition. Our results provide an overview of trends in reef condition in the SE Dominican Republic and could support current strategies to better protect reefs in the region. Given that Caribbean coral reefs face extreme challenges from global climate change, management measures may improve reef conditions across the region but stronger policy processes and increased scientific knowledge are needed for the successful management of coral reefs.},
keywords = {biodiversity, Caribbean, Coastal health, coral reefs, coral restoration, Dominican Republic, Management, Marine protected area, Tropical coastal ecosystems, Water quality},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Over the past few decades, coral reef ecosystems have been lost at accelerated rates as a result of global climate change and local stressors. Local management schemes can help improve the condition of coral reefs by enhancing their ecosystem recovery capacity. Caribbean conservation efforts include mitigation of local anthropogenic stressors, and integrating social participation. Here, we analyzed the case of the Bayahibe reefs in the Southeastern (SE) Dominican Republic to identify conservation actions and illustrate a conceptual example of local seascape management. We assessed reef health indicators from 2011 to 2016. Overall, our results show increases in total fish biomass, in both commercial and herbivorous fishes. Mean live coral cover was 31% and fleshy macroalgae was 23% after multiple disturbances such as Hurricanes Sandy and Isaac (2012), Mathew (2016) and heat stress presented in the study area in 2015. We also described actions taken by stakeholders and government institutions, including the implementation of a policy declaring an area of 869,000 ha as a marine protected area (MPA), enhanced water quality treatment, local restrictions to vessel traffic, enforcement of fishing regulations, and the removal of invasive lionfish (Pterois spp.). In addition, a restoration program for the threatened staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) was established in 2011, and currently has eight coral nurseries and six outplanting sites. Considering the biology and ecology of these reefs, we observed good results for these indicators (live coral cover, fish biomass, and water quality) in contrast with severely degraded Caribbean reefs, suggesting that optimizing local management may be a useful example for improving reef condition. Our results provide an overview of trends in reef condition in the SE Dominican Republic and could support current strategies to better protect reefs in the region. Given that Caribbean coral reefs face extreme challenges from global climate change, management measures may improve reef conditions across the region but stronger policy processes and increased scientific knowledge are needed for the successful management of coral reefs.
2020
Bayraktarov, Elisa; Banaszak, Anastazia T.; Maya, Phanor Montoya; Kleypas, Joanie; Arias-González, Jesús E.; Blanco, Macarena; Calle-Triviño, Johanna; Charuvi, Nufar; Cortés-Useche, Camilo; Galván, Victor; Salgado, Miguel A. García; Gnecco, Mariana; Guendulain-García, Sergio D.; Delgado, Edwin A. Hernández; Moraga, José A. Marín; Maya, María Fernanda; Quiroz, Sandra Mendoza; Cervantes, Samantha Mercado; Morikawa, Megan; Nava, Gabriela; Pizarro, Valeria; Sellares-Blasco, Rita I.; Ramos, Samuel E. Suleimán; Cubero, Tatiana Villalobos; Villalpando, María F.; Frías-Torres, Sarah
Review of coral reef restoration efforts in Latin American countries and territories Journal Article
In: Plos ONE, vol. 15, no. 8, 2020.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Caribbean, coral reefs, coral reefs restauration
@article{Bayraktarov2020,
title = {Review of coral reef restoration efforts in Latin American countries and territories},
author = {Elisa Bayraktarov and Anastazia T. Banaszak and Phanor Montoya Maya and Joanie Kleypas and Jesús E. Arias-González and Macarena Blanco and Johanna Calle-Triviño and Nufar Charuvi and Camilo Cortés-Useche and Victor Galván and Miguel A. García Salgado and Mariana Gnecco and Sergio D. Guendulain-García and Edwin A. Hernández Delgado and José A. Marín Moraga and María Fernanda Maya and Sandra Mendoza Quiroz and Samantha Mercado Cervantes and Megan Morikawa and Gabriela Nava and Valeria Pizarro and Rita I. Sellares-Blasco and Samuel E. Suleimán Ramos and Tatiana Villalobos Cubero and María F. Villalpando and Sarah Frías-Torres},
editor = {Shashank Keshavmurthy},
url = {https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0228477
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0228477&type=printable
https://sampr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Coral-reef-restoration-efforts-in-Latin-American-countries-and-territories.pdf},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0228477},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-08-05},
urldate = {2020-08-05},
journal = {Plos ONE},
volume = {15},
number = {8},
abstract = {Coral reefs worldwide are degrading due to climate change, overfishing, pollution, coastal development, coral bleaching, and diseases. In areas where the natural recovery of an ecosystem is negligible or protection through management interventions insufficient, active restoration becomes critical. The Reef Futures symposium in 2018 brought together over 400 reef restoration experts, businesses, and civil organizations, and galvanized them to save coral reefs through restoration or identify alternative solutions. The symposium highlighted that solutions and discoveries from long-term and ongoing coral reef restoration projects in Spanish-speaking countries in the Caribbean and Eastern Tropical Pacific were not well known internationally. Therefore, a meeting of scientists and practitioners working in these locations was held to compile the data on the extent of coral reef restoration efforts, advances and challenges. Here, we present unpublished data from 12 coral reef restoration case studies from five Latin American countries, describe their motivations and techniques used, and provide estimates on total annual project cost per unit area of reef intervened, spatial extent as well as project duration. We found that most projects used direct transplantation, the coral gardening method, micro-fragmentation or larval propagation, and aimed to optimize or scale-up restoration approaches (51%) or provide alternative, sustainable livelihood opportunities (15%) followed by promoting coral reef conservation stewardship and re-establishing a self-sustaining, functioning reef ecosystems (both 13%). Reasons for restoring coral reefs were mainly biotic and experimental (both 42%), followed by idealistic and pragmatic motivations (both 8%). The median annual total cost from all projects was $93,000 USD (range: $10,000 USD—$331,802 USD) (2018 dollars) and intervened a median spatial area of 1 ha (range: 0.06 ha—8.39 ha). The median project duration was 3 years; however, projects have lasted up to 17 years. Project feasibility was high with a median of 0.7 (range: 0.5–0.8). This study closes the knowledge gap between academia and practitioners and overcomes the language barrier by providing the first comprehensive compilation of data from ongoing coral reef restoration efforts in Latin America.},
keywords = {Caribbean, coral reefs, coral reefs restauration},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Coral reefs worldwide are degrading due to climate change, overfishing, pollution, coastal development, coral bleaching, and diseases. In areas where the natural recovery of an ecosystem is negligible or protection through management interventions insufficient, active restoration becomes critical. The Reef Futures symposium in 2018 brought together over 400 reef restoration experts, businesses, and civil organizations, and galvanized them to save coral reefs through restoration or identify alternative solutions. The symposium highlighted that solutions and discoveries from long-term and ongoing coral reef restoration projects in Spanish-speaking countries in the Caribbean and Eastern Tropical Pacific were not well known internationally. Therefore, a meeting of scientists and practitioners working in these locations was held to compile the data on the extent of coral reef restoration efforts, advances and challenges. Here, we present unpublished data from 12 coral reef restoration case studies from five Latin American countries, describe their motivations and techniques used, and provide estimates on total annual project cost per unit area of reef intervened, spatial extent as well as project duration. We found that most projects used direct transplantation, the coral gardening method, micro-fragmentation or larval propagation, and aimed to optimize or scale-up restoration approaches (51%) or provide alternative, sustainable livelihood opportunities (15%) followed by promoting coral reef conservation stewardship and re-establishing a self-sustaining, functioning reef ecosystems (both 13%). Reasons for restoring coral reefs were mainly biotic and experimental (both 42%), followed by idealistic and pragmatic motivations (both 8%). The median annual total cost from all projects was $93,000 USD (range: $10,000 USD—$331,802 USD) (2018 dollars) and intervened a median spatial area of 1 ha (range: 0.06 ha—8.39 ha). The median project duration was 3 years; however, projects have lasted up to 17 years. Project feasibility was high with a median of 0.7 (range: 0.5–0.8). This study closes the knowledge gap between academia and practitioners and overcomes the language barrier by providing the first comprehensive compilation of data from ongoing coral reef restoration efforts in Latin America.
2019
Weil, E; Hernández-Delgado, EA; Gonzalez, M; Williams, S; Suleimán-Ramos, S; Figuerola, M; Metz-Estrella, T
Spread of the new coral disease “SCTLD” into the Caribbean: implications for Puerto Rico. Journal Article
In: Reef Encounter, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 38-43, 2019.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: biodiversity, biomass, Caribbean, communities, Coral, coral diseases, coral reefs, diversity, Puerto Rico, reef, reefs
@article{Weil2019,
title = {Spread of the new coral disease “SCTLD” into the Caribbean: implications for Puerto Rico.},
author = {E Weil and EA Hernández-Delgado and M Gonzalez and S Williams and S Suleimán-Ramos and M Figuerola and T Metz-Estrella},
url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342477916_REEF_ENCOUNTER_Spread_of_the_new_coral_disease_SCTLD_into_the_Caribbean_implications_for_Puerto_Rico
https://www.agrra.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Weil-et-al.-2020-Reef-Encounter.pdf
https://sampr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Spread-of-the-new-coral-disease-SCTLD-into-the-Caribbean-implications-for-Puerto-Rico.pdf
},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-12-01},
urldate = {2019-12-01},
journal = {Reef Encounter},
volume = {34},
number = {1},
pages = {38-43},
abstract = {The ongoing deterioration and significant decline in live coral cover and diversity in coral reef communities
worldwide is strongly associated with increasing water temperatures linked to Global Climate Change, aided by
anthropogenic activities (Harvell et al. 2004, 2007, 2009; Weil and Rogers 2011; Maynard et al. 2016; Woodley et al.
2016). In the Wider Caribbean, major community structure and function decline was marked by two region-wide,
concurrent, highly virulent disease epizootics in the early 1980’s. These events almost wiped out two foundational
scleractinian species (Acropora palmata and A. cervicornis), and the keystone sea urchin Diadema antillarum. White
band disease (WBD) affected the acroporids and was caused by a complex of vibrio bacteria (Gil-Agudelo et al. 2006).
The Diadema mass mortality had all the trademark characteristics of a virulent, transmissible, bacterial or viral
infection, but the putative pathogen (pathogens) was never identified (Lessios 2016). Populations of both acroporids
and sea urchins suffered over 95% mortalities throughout the wider Caribbean (Gladfelter 1982; Lessios et al. 1984a,b;
Aronson and Precht 2001; Lessios 2016), followed by a cascade of ecological consequences (significant loss of live
coral cover, primary productivity, spatial complexity, biodiversity and fecundity; loss of ecological functions, increase
in algal cover and biomass, etc.), ending in a shift from coral- to algal-dominated communities and the loss of
ecological services to other tropical marine communities and to human beings (Aronson and Precht 2001; Weil and
Rogers 2011). Several other disease-induced mass mortalities of other cnidarians, as well as of massive, plate and
nodular reef-building genera, have in the last 30 years resulted in additional loss of biomass, diversity and live coral
cover on many Caribbean reefs (Miller et al. 2009; Weil et al. 2009a; Weil and Rogers 2011; Bastidas et al. 2011; Weil
et al. 2017). },
keywords = {biodiversity, biomass, Caribbean, communities, Coral, coral diseases, coral reefs, diversity, Puerto Rico, reef, reefs},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The ongoing deterioration and significant decline in live coral cover and diversity in coral reef communities
worldwide is strongly associated with increasing water temperatures linked to Global Climate Change, aided by
anthropogenic activities (Harvell et al. 2004, 2007, 2009; Weil and Rogers 2011; Maynard et al. 2016; Woodley et al.
2016). In the Wider Caribbean, major community structure and function decline was marked by two region-wide,
concurrent, highly virulent disease epizootics in the early 1980’s. These events almost wiped out two foundational
scleractinian species (Acropora palmata and A. cervicornis), and the keystone sea urchin Diadema antillarum. White
band disease (WBD) affected the acroporids and was caused by a complex of vibrio bacteria (Gil-Agudelo et al. 2006).
The Diadema mass mortality had all the trademark characteristics of a virulent, transmissible, bacterial or viral
infection, but the putative pathogen (pathogens) was never identified (Lessios 2016). Populations of both acroporids
and sea urchins suffered over 95% mortalities throughout the wider Caribbean (Gladfelter 1982; Lessios et al. 1984a,b;
Aronson and Precht 2001; Lessios 2016), followed by a cascade of ecological consequences (significant loss of live
coral cover, primary productivity, spatial complexity, biodiversity and fecundity; loss of ecological functions, increase
in algal cover and biomass, etc.), ending in a shift from coral- to algal-dominated communities and the loss of
ecological services to other tropical marine communities and to human beings (Aronson and Precht 2001; Weil and
Rogers 2011). Several other disease-induced mass mortalities of other cnidarians, as well as of massive, plate and
nodular reef-building genera, have in the last 30 years resulted in additional loss of biomass, diversity and live coral
cover on many Caribbean reefs (Miller et al. 2009; Weil et al. 2009a; Weil and Rogers 2011; Bastidas et al. 2011; Weil
et al. 2017).
worldwide is strongly associated with increasing water temperatures linked to Global Climate Change, aided by
anthropogenic activities (Harvell et al. 2004, 2007, 2009; Weil and Rogers 2011; Maynard et al. 2016; Woodley et al.
2016). In the Wider Caribbean, major community structure and function decline was marked by two region-wide,
concurrent, highly virulent disease epizootics in the early 1980’s. These events almost wiped out two foundational
scleractinian species (Acropora palmata and A. cervicornis), and the keystone sea urchin Diadema antillarum. White
band disease (WBD) affected the acroporids and was caused by a complex of vibrio bacteria (Gil-Agudelo et al. 2006).
The Diadema mass mortality had all the trademark characteristics of a virulent, transmissible, bacterial or viral
infection, but the putative pathogen (pathogens) was never identified (Lessios 2016). Populations of both acroporids
and sea urchins suffered over 95% mortalities throughout the wider Caribbean (Gladfelter 1982; Lessios et al. 1984a,b;
Aronson and Precht 2001; Lessios 2016), followed by a cascade of ecological consequences (significant loss of live
coral cover, primary productivity, spatial complexity, biodiversity and fecundity; loss of ecological functions, increase
in algal cover and biomass, etc.), ending in a shift from coral- to algal-dominated communities and the loss of
ecological services to other tropical marine communities and to human beings (Aronson and Precht 2001; Weil and
Rogers 2011). Several other disease-induced mass mortalities of other cnidarians, as well as of massive, plate and
nodular reef-building genera, have in the last 30 years resulted in additional loss of biomass, diversity and live coral
cover on many Caribbean reefs (Miller et al. 2009; Weil et al. 2009a; Weil and Rogers 2011; Bastidas et al. 2011; Weil
et al. 2017).
2018
Mercado-Molina, Alex E.; Rivera-Irizarry, Fabiola; Fonseca-Miranda, Jaime; Bruno-Laureano, Yesenia
In: Marine Biology Research, vol. 14, iss. 1, pp. 41 - 51, 2018.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Acropora cervicornis, Caribbean, Climate change, Coral Reef Decline, coral reefs, Corals, Land-Based Source Pollution, Marine Protected Areas, Puerto Rico, Reef Restoration
@article{Mercado-Molina2018,
title = {Growth facilitation by the octocoral \textit{Gorgonia ventalina} explains spatial difference in the population size structure of the common demosponge \textit{Ircinia felix}},
author = {Alex E. Mercado-Molina and Fabiola Rivera-Irizarry and Jaime Fonseca-Miranda and Yesenia Bruno-Laureano},
editor = {Paco Cárdenas},
url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17451000.2017.1367098},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1080/17451000.2017.1367098},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-11-07},
urldate = {2018-11-07},
journal = {Marine Biology Research},
volume = {14},
issue = {1},
pages = {41 - 51},
abstract = {In this study, the demography of the common demosponge Ircinia felix was examined at Tamarindo, a coral reef located in the island municipality of Culebra, Puerto Rico. A preliminary study comparing the size structure of two subpopulations within the reef, Tamarindo Norte (TN) and Tamarindo Sur (TS), indicated that sponges at TN are significantly larger than sponges at TS. This result served as a baseline for the present comparative study in which we aimed to determine whether the spatial differences in population size structure can be explained either by a difference in rates of survival, growth, or recruitment, or a combination of these. To accomplish our goal, we followed the growth, survival and recruitment of I. felix at the two localities for one year. Growth was the only demographic parameter that differed significantly between localities. Because the most obvious distinction between the study sites was the absence of the octocoral Gorgonia ventalina at TS, we hypothesized that the faster overall growth rate of sponges at TN was related to the presence of the octocoral. To test this hypothesis, we compared growth rates between sponges associated with the octocoral and those individuals not associated. We found that sponges growing near G. ventalina grew significantly faster than non-associated sponges. This result suggests that the octocoral facilitates the growth of I. felix and therefore may account, at least in part, for the spatial differences in population size structure.},
keywords = {Acropora cervicornis, Caribbean, Climate change, Coral Reef Decline, coral reefs, Corals, Land-Based Source Pollution, Marine Protected Areas, Puerto Rico, Reef Restoration},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
In this study, the demography of the common demosponge Ircinia felix was examined at Tamarindo, a coral reef located in the island municipality of Culebra, Puerto Rico. A preliminary study comparing the size structure of two subpopulations within the reef, Tamarindo Norte (TN) and Tamarindo Sur (TS), indicated that sponges at TN are significantly larger than sponges at TS. This result served as a baseline for the present comparative study in which we aimed to determine whether the spatial differences in population size structure can be explained either by a difference in rates of survival, growth, or recruitment, or a combination of these. To accomplish our goal, we followed the growth, survival and recruitment of I. felix at the two localities for one year. Growth was the only demographic parameter that differed significantly between localities. Because the most obvious distinction between the study sites was the absence of the octocoral Gorgonia ventalina at TS, we hypothesized that the faster overall growth rate of sponges at TN was related to the presence of the octocoral. To test this hypothesis, we compared growth rates between sponges associated with the octocoral and those individuals not associated. We found that sponges growing near G. ventalina grew significantly faster than non-associated sponges. This result suggests that the octocoral facilitates the growth of I. felix and therefore may account, at least in part, for the spatial differences in population size structure.
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.
2017
Soto-Santiago, Francisco J.; Mercado-Molina, Alex; Reyes-Maldonado, Koralis; Vélez, Yaileen; Ruiz-Díaz, Claudia P.; Sabat, Alberto
Comparative demography of two common scleractinian corals: Orbicella annularis and Porites astreoides Journal Article
In: PeerJ, vol. 5, pp. 1-18, 2017.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Akaike information criteria, Caribbean, coral reefs, demography, Lambda, Life table response analysis, Orbicella annularis, Population ecology, Porites astreoides, Resilience, Scleractinians
@article{Soto-Santiago2017,
title = {Comparative demography of two common scleractinian corals: \textit{Orbicella annularis} and \textit{Porites astreoides}},
author = {Francisco J. Soto-Santiago and Alex Mercado-Molina and Koralis Reyes-Maldonado and Yaileen Vélez and Claudia P. Ruiz-Díaz and Alberto Sabat},
editor = {James Reimer},
url = {https://peerj.com/articles/3906/#
https://peerj.com/articles/3906/https://sampr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/comparative-demography-of.pdf},
doi = {10.7717/peerj.3906},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-10-27},
urldate = {2017-10-27},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {5},
pages = {1-18},
abstract = {Background: Studies directed at understanding the demography and population dynamics of corals are relatively scarce. This limits our understanding of both the dynamics of coral populations and our capacity to develop management and conservation initiatives directed at conserving such ecosystems.
Methods: From 2012 to 2014, we collected data on the growth, survival, and recruitment rates of two common Caribbean coral species, the stress-tolerant Orbicella annularis and the weedy Porites astreoides. A set of size-based population matrix model was developed for two localities in Northeastern Puerto Rico and used to estimate population growth rates ( >) and determine the life cycle transition(s) that contribute the most to spatiotemporal differences in >s. The model was parameterized by following the fate of 100 colonies of each species at the two sites for two years.
Results: Our data indicate that spatial variability in vital rates of both species was higher than temporal variability. During the first year, populations of O. annularis exhibited s below equilibrium at Carlos Rosario (0.817) and Palomino (0.694), followed by a considerable decline at both sites during the second year (0.700 and 0.667). Populations of P. astreoides showed higher > s than O. annularis during the first census period at Carlos Rosario (0.898) and Palomino (0.894) with a decline at one of the sites (0.681 and 0.893) during the second census period. Colony fate in both species exhibited a significant interaction with respect to location but not to time (G2 = 20.96; df = 3 for O. annularis and G2 = 9.55; df = 3 for P. astreoides). Discussion: The similar variability of s as well as the similar survival rates for both species during the two-year census period (2012–2014) show similar variability on demographic patterns in space and time. Our results suggest that location rather than time is important for the resiliency in coral colonies. Also, P. astreoides will show higher resistance to disturbance in the future than O. annularis.},
keywords = {Akaike information criteria, Caribbean, coral reefs, demography, Lambda, Life table response analysis, Orbicella annularis, Population ecology, Porites astreoides, Resilience, Scleractinians},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Background: Studies directed at understanding the demography and population dynamics of corals are relatively scarce. This limits our understanding of both the dynamics of coral populations and our capacity to develop management and conservation initiatives directed at conserving such ecosystems.
Methods: From 2012 to 2014, we collected data on the growth, survival, and recruitment rates of two common Caribbean coral species, the stress-tolerant Orbicella annularis and the weedy Porites astreoides. A set of size-based population matrix model was developed for two localities in Northeastern Puerto Rico and used to estimate population growth rates ( >) and determine the life cycle transition(s) that contribute the most to spatiotemporal differences in >s. The model was parameterized by following the fate of 100 colonies of each species at the two sites for two years.
Results: Our data indicate that spatial variability in vital rates of both species was higher than temporal variability. During the first year, populations of O. annularis exhibited s below equilibrium at Carlos Rosario (0.817) and Palomino (0.694), followed by a considerable decline at both sites during the second year (0.700 and 0.667). Populations of P. astreoides showed higher > s than O. annularis during the first census period at Carlos Rosario (0.898) and Palomino (0.894) with a decline at one of the sites (0.681 and 0.893) during the second census period. Colony fate in both species exhibited a significant interaction with respect to location but not to time (G2 = 20.96; df = 3 for O. annularis and G2 = 9.55; df = 3 for P. astreoides). Discussion: The similar variability of s as well as the similar survival rates for both species during the two-year census period (2012–2014) show similar variability on demographic patterns in space and time. Our results suggest that location rather than time is important for the resiliency in coral colonies. Also, P. astreoides will show higher resistance to disturbance in the future than O. annularis.
Methods: From 2012 to 2014, we collected data on the growth, survival, and recruitment rates of two common Caribbean coral species, the stress-tolerant Orbicella annularis and the weedy Porites astreoides. A set of size-based population matrix model was developed for two localities in Northeastern Puerto Rico and used to estimate population growth rates ( >) and determine the life cycle transition(s) that contribute the most to spatiotemporal differences in >s. The model was parameterized by following the fate of 100 colonies of each species at the two sites for two years.
Results: Our data indicate that spatial variability in vital rates of both species was higher than temporal variability. During the first year, populations of O. annularis exhibited s below equilibrium at Carlos Rosario (0.817) and Palomino (0.694), followed by a considerable decline at both sites during the second year (0.700 and 0.667). Populations of P. astreoides showed higher > s than O. annularis during the first census period at Carlos Rosario (0.898) and Palomino (0.894) with a decline at one of the sites (0.681 and 0.893) during the second census period. Colony fate in both species exhibited a significant interaction with respect to location but not to time (G2 = 20.96; df = 3 for O. annularis and G2 = 9.55; df = 3 for P. astreoides). Discussion: The similar variability of s as well as the similar survival rates for both species during the two-year census period (2012–2014) show similar variability on demographic patterns in space and time. Our results suggest that location rather than time is important for the resiliency in coral colonies. Also, P. astreoides will show higher resistance to disturbance in the future than O. annularis.
Godoy-Vitorino, Filipa; Ruiz-Diaz, Claudia P.; Rivera-Seda, Abigail; Ramírez-Lugo, Juan S.; Toledo-Hernández, Carlos
The microbial biosphere of the coral Acropora cervicornis in Northeastern Puerto Rico Journal Article
In: PeerJ, vol. 10, no. 3717, pp. 15, 2017.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: 16S rDNA, Caribbean, Coral, coral reefs, Depth-related, Microbiota
@article{Godoy-Vitorino2017,
title = {The microbial biosphere of the coral \textit{Acropora cervicornis} in Northeastern Puerto Rico},
author = {Filipa Godoy-Vitorino and Claudia P. Ruiz-Diaz and Abigail Rivera-Seda and Juan S. Ramírez-Lugo and Carlos Toledo-Hernández},
editor = {Robert Toonen},
url = {https://peerj.com/articles/3717/
https://sampr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/The-microbial-biosphere-of-the-coral-Acropora-cervicornis-in-Northeastern-Puerto-Rico.pdf},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3717},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-08-29},
urldate = {2017-08-29},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {10},
number = {3717},
pages = {15},
abstract = {Coral reefs are the most biodiverse ecosystems in the marine realm, and they not only contribute a plethora of ecosystem services to other marine organisms, but they also are beneficial to humankind via, for instance, their role as nurseries for commercially important fish species. Corals are considered holobionts (host + symbionts) since they are composed not only of coral polyps, but also algae, other microbial eukaryotes and prokaryotes. In recent years, Caribbean reef corals, including the once-common scleractinian coral Acropora cervicornis, have suffered unprecedented mortality due to climate change-related stressors. Unfortunately, our basic knowledge of the molecular ecophysiology of reef corals, particularly with respect to their complex bacterial microbiota, is currently too poor to project how climate change will affect this species. For instance, we do not know how light influences microbial communities of A. cervicornis, arguably the most endangered of all Caribbean coral species. To this end, we characterized the microbiota of A. cervicornis inhabiting water depths with different light regimes.},
keywords = {16S rDNA, Caribbean, Coral, coral reefs, Depth-related, Microbiota},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Coral reefs are the most biodiverse ecosystems in the marine realm, and they not only contribute a plethora of ecosystem services to other marine organisms, but they also are beneficial to humankind via, for instance, their role as nurseries for commercially important fish species. Corals are considered holobionts (host + symbionts) since they are composed not only of coral polyps, but also algae, other microbial eukaryotes and prokaryotes. In recent years, Caribbean reef corals, including the once-common scleractinian coral Acropora cervicornis, have suffered unprecedented mortality due to climate change-related stressors. Unfortunately, our basic knowledge of the molecular ecophysiology of reef corals, particularly with respect to their complex bacterial microbiota, is currently too poor to project how climate change will affect this species. For instance, we do not know how light influences microbial communities of A. cervicornis, arguably the most endangered of all Caribbean coral species. To this end, we characterized the microbiota of A. cervicornis inhabiting water depths with different light regimes.
2014
Mercado-Molina, Alex E.; Montañez-Acuña, Alfredo; Rodríguez-Barreras, Ruber; Colón-Miranda, Roberto; Díaz-Ortega, Geraldine; Martínez-González, Neidibel; Schleier-Hernández, Sandra; Sabat, Alberto M.
Revisiting the population status of the sea urchin Diadema antillarum in northern Puerto Rico Journal Article
In: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, pp. 1-8, 2014.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Caribbean, coral reefs, Diadema antillarum, population recovery, Puerto Rico
@article{Mercado-Molina2014,
title = {Revisiting the population status of the sea urchin \textit{Diadema antillarum} in northern Puerto Rico},
author = {Alex E. Mercado-Molina and Alfredo Montañez-Acuña and Ruber Rodríguez-Barreras and Roberto Colón-Miranda and Geraldine Díaz-Ortega and Neidibel Martínez-González and Sandra Schleier-Hernández and Alberto M. Sabat},
url = {https://sampr.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Mercado-Molinaetal.2014_Diadema.pdf
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-the-marine-biological-association-of-the-united-kingdom/article/abs/revisiting-the-population-status-of-the-sea-urchin-diadema-antillarum-in-northern-puerto-rico/E27E7958C257AF819430A078AD667989
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270160317_Revisiting_the_population_status_of_the_sea_urchin_Diadema_antillarum_in_northern_Puerto_Rico/link/54a18a1a0cf256bf8baf745c/download?_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7ImZpcnN0UGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIiwicGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIn19
},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1017/S002531541400188X},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-11-14},
urldate = {2014-11-14},
journal = {Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom},
pages = {1-8},
abstract = {The mass mortality suffered by the sea urchin Diadema antillarum between 1983–1984 is considered one of the major causes of coral reef degradation in the Caribbean. Its near disappearance resulted in a disproportionate growth of macroalgae that has led to a ‘phase shift’ from coral-to-algal dominated reefs. The close relationship between this echinoid and the functioning of coral reef ecosystems makes it imperative to better understand the potential for recovery of its populations. From 2009 to
2011, we assessed the density and size structure of D. antillarum in various reefs where previous population data were available. Results indicate a modest increase in density in all localities with respect to the last time they were surveyed in 2003/2004. Nevertheless, density values are still lower than values reported for the island prior to the die-off. Overall density did not surpass 1.49 ind. per m2, and did not change considerably during the studied period. Lack of population growth coincided with a lack of juveniles; suggesting that population growth at the studied sites may be limited by the number of individuals recruiting into the juvenile stage.},
keywords = {Caribbean, coral reefs, Diadema antillarum, population recovery, Puerto Rico},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The mass mortality suffered by the sea urchin Diadema antillarum between 1983–1984 is considered one of the major causes of coral reef degradation in the Caribbean. Its near disappearance resulted in a disproportionate growth of macroalgae that has led to a ‘phase shift’ from coral-to-algal dominated reefs. The close relationship between this echinoid and the functioning of coral reef ecosystems makes it imperative to better understand the potential for recovery of its populations. From 2009 to
2011, we assessed the density and size structure of D. antillarum in various reefs where previous population data were available. Results indicate a modest increase in density in all localities with respect to the last time they were surveyed in 2003/2004. Nevertheless, density values are still lower than values reported for the island prior to the die-off. Overall density did not surpass 1.49 ind. per m2, and did not change considerably during the studied period. Lack of population growth coincided with a lack of juveniles; suggesting that population growth at the studied sites may be limited by the number of individuals recruiting into the juvenile stage.
2011, we assessed the density and size structure of D. antillarum in various reefs where previous population data were available. Results indicate a modest increase in density in all localities with respect to the last time they were surveyed in 2003/2004. Nevertheless, density values are still lower than values reported for the island prior to the die-off. Overall density did not surpass 1.49 ind. per m2, and did not change considerably during the studied period. Lack of population growth coincided with a lack of juveniles; suggesting that population growth at the studied sites may be limited by the number of individuals recruiting into the juvenile stage.