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.
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.
Toledo-Hernández, Carlos; Ruiz-Diaz, Claudia Patricia; Ramírez-Lugo, Juan Sebastian; Torres-Díaz, Marielys; Santiago-Pagán, Lisby; Bruno-Chardón, Andrea; Díaz-Vázquez, Liz M.
In: Frontiers in Marine Science, vol. 10, pp. 1-11, 2023.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Acropora cervicornis, Coral immunity, coral reefs, coral reefs restauration
@article{Toledo-Hernández12023,
title = {Uncovering the link between environmental factors and coral immunity: A study of fluorescent protein expression and phenoloxidase activity in \textit{Acropora cervicornis}},
author = {Carlos Toledo-Hernández and Claudia Patricia Ruiz-Diaz and Juan Sebastian Ramírez-Lugo and Marielys Torres-Díaz and Lisby Santiago-Pagán and Andrea Bruno-Chardón and Liz M. Díaz-Vázquez},
editor = {Virginia M. Weis and Nicholas MacKnight and Bradford Dimos
},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1133486/full
https://sampr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Uncovering-the-link-between-environmental-factors-and-coral-immunity-A-study-of-fluorescent-protein-expression-and-phenoloxidase-activity-in-Acropora-cervicornisfmars-10-1133486.pdf},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1133486},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-03-02},
urldate = {2023-03-02},
journal = {Frontiers in Marine Science},
volume = {10},
pages = {1-11},
abstract = {Worsening environmental conditions due to climate change have profoundly affected the health of coral reefs worldwide. Thus, understanding how corals respond to fluctuating and/or extreme levels of temperature and solar irradiation will guide future protection and restoration efforts of this valuable ecosystem. Herein, we present a study of the immune responses of the endangered coral Acropora cervicornis to seasonal fluctuations in water temperature (WT), light intensity (LI), and water depth. Immune responses were observed by measuring the concentration of green and cyan fluorescent proteins (GFP and CyFP) and the activity of phenoloxidase (PO), an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of the photoprotective protein melanin. To study these responses, visually healthy A. cervicornis fragments were placed at 8, and 12 m depth, and GFP, CyPF, and PO activity were measured at three-month intervals over a 12-month period. Seawater temperature and light intensity were also measured at each depth during this period. A general linear mixed model was used to determine the effects of seasonal variations of WT, LI, and water depth on the immune proteins. GFP, CyFP, and PO activity varied significantly across time – all higher in late summer/early fall and lower in late winter/early spring. Likewise, WT and LI significantly affected GFP, CyFP, and PO activity. On the other hand, water depth only had a significant effect on fluorescent protein concentrations but not PO activity. Our study demonstrates that corals can modulate these key immune-related proteins throughout natural seasonal fluctuations. That is, increasing in months of higher thermal and light conditions while decreasing in months with mild thermal and light conditions. The phenotypic plasticity of A. cervicornis in adapting to a changing environment underscores the importance that in future studies time of the year should be a meaningful consideration when evaluating the responses of A. cervicornis to the environment.},
keywords = {Acropora cervicornis, Coral immunity, coral reefs, coral reefs restauration},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Worsening environmental conditions due to climate change have profoundly affected the health of coral reefs worldwide. Thus, understanding how corals respond to fluctuating and/or extreme levels of temperature and solar irradiation will guide future protection and restoration efforts of this valuable ecosystem. Herein, we present a study of the immune responses of the endangered coral Acropora cervicornis to seasonal fluctuations in water temperature (WT), light intensity (LI), and water depth. Immune responses were observed by measuring the concentration of green and cyan fluorescent proteins (GFP and CyFP) and the activity of phenoloxidase (PO), an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of the photoprotective protein melanin. To study these responses, visually healthy A. cervicornis fragments were placed at 8, and 12 m depth, and GFP, CyPF, and PO activity were measured at three-month intervals over a 12-month period. Seawater temperature and light intensity were also measured at each depth during this period. A general linear mixed model was used to determine the effects of seasonal variations of WT, LI, and water depth on the immune proteins. GFP, CyFP, and PO activity varied significantly across time – all higher in late summer/early fall and lower in late winter/early spring. Likewise, WT and LI significantly affected GFP, CyFP, and PO activity. On the other hand, water depth only had a significant effect on fluorescent protein concentrations but not PO activity. Our study demonstrates that corals can modulate these key immune-related proteins throughout natural seasonal fluctuations. That is, increasing in months of higher thermal and light conditions while decreasing in months with mild thermal and light conditions. The phenotypic plasticity of A. cervicornis in adapting to a changing environment underscores the importance that in future studies time of the year should be a meaningful consideration when evaluating the responses of A. cervicornis to the environment.
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.
2018
Toledo-Hernández, Carlos; Ruiz-Diaz, Claudia P.; Hernández-Delgado, Edwin A.; Suleimán-Ramos, Samuel E.
Devastation of 15-year old Community-based Coral Farming and Reef-restoration Sites in Puerto Rico by Major Hurricanes Irma and María Journal Article
In: Caribbean Naturalist, no. 53, pp. 1-6, 2018, ISBN: 2326-7119.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Acropora cervicornis, community-based ecological rehabilitation, Coral Reef Decline, Coral Reef Ecology, coral reefs, coral reefs restauration, Coral survival, Corals
@article{Toledo-Hernández2018,
title = {Devastation of 15-year old Community-based Coral Farming and Reef-restoration Sites in Puerto Rico by Major Hurricanes Irma and María},
author = {Carlos Toledo-Hernández and Claudia P. Ruiz-Diaz and Edwin A. Hernández-Delgado and Samuel E. Suleimán-Ramos},
editor = {James D. Ackerman and Alfonso Aguilar-Perera and Wayne J. Arendt and Rüdiger Bieler},
url = {https://www.eaglehill.us/CANAonline/CANA-access-pages/CANA-regular/CANA-053-Toledo-Hernandez.shtml
https://sampr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Devastation-of-15-year-old-Community-based-Coral-Farming-and-Reef-restoration-Sites-in-Puerto-Rico-by-Major-Hurricanes-Irma-and-Maria2018.pdf},
isbn = {2326-7119},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-12-12},
urldate = {2018-12-12},
journal = {Caribbean Naturalist},
number = {53},
pages = {1-6},
abstract = {Category-5 hurricanes Irma and María impacted the northeastern Caribbean in September 2017 with waves in excess of 10 m. Herein we provide the frst assessment of hurricane damage to community-based coral farming and reef restoration at several locations from Culebra Island, Puerto Rico. Hurricanes destroyed 75 coral farms, killing 11,074 Acropora cervicornis (Staghorn Coral) fragments. Likewise, over 9000 recently out-planted colonies as well as most of the coral species adjacent to the outplants perished when they were buried by sand and rubble or were dislodged as a result of hurricane-generated waves. Liagora spp. (marine red algae) and other red algae rapidly colonized coral rubble and openreef substrates, threatening surviving corals of multiple species at least for several weeks after hurricane impacts.},
keywords = {Acropora cervicornis, community-based ecological rehabilitation, Coral Reef Decline, Coral Reef Ecology, coral reefs, coral reefs restauration, Coral survival, Corals},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Category-5 hurricanes Irma and María impacted the northeastern Caribbean in September 2017 with waves in excess of 10 m. Herein we provide the frst assessment of hurricane damage to community-based coral farming and reef restoration at several locations from Culebra Island, Puerto Rico. Hurricanes destroyed 75 coral farms, killing 11,074 Acropora cervicornis (Staghorn Coral) fragments. Likewise, over 9000 recently out-planted colonies as well as most of the coral species adjacent to the outplants perished when they were buried by sand and rubble or were dislodged as a result of hurricane-generated waves. Liagora spp. (marine red algae) and other red algae rapidly colonized coral rubble and openreef substrates, threatening surviving corals of multiple species at least for several weeks after hurricane impacts.