Publicaciones

@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 = {Mercado-Molina, Alex E. and Rivera-Irizarry, Fabiola and Fonseca-Miranda, Jaime and Bruno-Laureano, Yesenia},

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}

}

@article{Otaño-Cruz2017,

title = {Effects of Changing Weather, Oceanographic Conditions, and Land Uses on Spatio-Temporal Variation of Sedimentation Dynamics along Near-Shore Coral Reefs},

author = {Otaño-Cruz, Abimarie and Montañez-Acuña, Alfredo A. and Torres-López, Valeria and Hernández-Figueroa, Elix M. and Hernández-Delgado, Edwin A.},

editor = {Samantha Oester},

url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2017.00249/full

https://sampr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Effects-of-Changing-Weather-Oceanographic-Conditions-and-Land-Uses-on-Spatio-Temporal-Variation-of-Sedimentation-Dynamics-along-Near-Shore-Coral-Reefs.pdf

},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2017.00249},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-08-08},

urldate = {2017-08-08},

journal = {Frontiers in Marine Science},

volume = {4},

number = {249},

pages = {1-17},

abstract = {Sedimentation is a critical threat to coral reefs worldwide. Major land use alteration at steep, highly erodible semi-arid islands accelerates the potential of soil erosion, runoff, and sedimentation stress to nearshore coral reefs during extreme rainfall events. The goal of this study was to assess spatio-temporal variation of sedimentation dynamics across nearshore coral reefs as a function of land use patterns, weather and oceanographic dynamics, to identify marine ecosystem conservation strategies. Sediment was collected at a distance gradient from shore at Bahia Tamarindo (BTA) and Punta Soldado (PSO) coral reefs at Culebra Island, Puerto Rico. Sediment texture and composition were analyzed by dry sieving and loss-on-ignition techniques, and were contrasted with environmental variables for the research period (February 2014 to April 2015). Rainfall and oceanographic data were analyzed to address their potential role on affecting sediment distribution with BEST BIO-ENV, RELATE correlation, and linear regression analysis. A significant difference in sedimentation rate was observed by time and distance from shore (PERMANOVA, p < 0.0100), mostly attributed to higher sediment exposure at reef zones closer to shore due to strong relationships with coastal runoff. Sedimentation rate positively correlated with strong rainfall events (Rho = 0.301, p = 0.0400) associated with storms and rainfall intensity exceeding 15 mm/h. At BTA, sediment deposited were mostly composed of sand, suggesting a potential influence of resuspension produced by waves and swells. In contrast, PSO sediments were mostly composed of silt-clay and terrigenous material, mainly attributed to a deforestation event that occurred at adjacent steep sub-watershed during the study period. Spatial and temporal variation of sedimentation pulses and terrigenous sediment input implies that coral reefs exposure to sediment stress is determined by local land use patterns, weather, and oceanographic dynamics. Comprehensive understanding of sediment dynamics and coastal ecosystem interconnectivity is fundamental to implement integrated and adaptive management strategies aimed to promote sustainable development at watershed and island wide-scale to fully mitigate terrigenous sediment impact to marine ecosystems. Furthermore, decision-making processes and policy needs to address sedimentation stress in the context of future climate to reduce land-based threats and strengthen coral reef resilience.},

keywords = {Acropora cervicornis, coral reefs, land use, Land-Based Source Pollution, near-shore coral reefs, precipitation, Reef Restoration, sediment composition, sediment grain size, sedimentation rate, tropical semi-arid watershed},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Hernandez-Delgado2017,

title = {Unsustainable Land Use, Sediment-Laden Runoff, and Chronic Raw Sewage Offset the Benefits of Coral Reef Ecosystems in a No-Take Marine Protected Area},

author = {Hernández-Delgado, Edwin A. and Medina-Muñiz, Jeiger L. and Mattei, Hernando and Norat-Ramírez, José},

url = {https://www.macrothink.org/journal/index.php/emsd/article/view/10687/9269

https://sampr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Unsustainable-Land-Use-Sediment-Laden-Runoff-and-Chronic-Raw-Sewage-Offset-the-Benefits-of-Coral-Reef-Ecosystems-in-a-No-Take-Marine-Protected-Area.pdf

},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.5296/emsd.v6i2.10687},

issn = {2164-7682},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-07-07},

urldate = {2017-07-07},

journal = {Environmental Management and Sustainable Development},

volume = {6},

number = {2},

pages = {292-333},

abstract = {Unsustainable land uses may result in poor watershed management, increased soil erosion, poorly-planned urban development, increased runoff, and sewage pollution, creating an environmental stress gradient across coastal coral reefs. This study was aimed at: 1) Evaluating water quality within and outside the Canal Luis Peña Natural Reserve (CLPNR), Culebra Island, Puerto Rico; 2) Determining if there was any significant environmental stress gradient associated to land-based non-point source pollution; and 3) Characterizing shallow-water coral reef communities across the gradient. Strong gradient impacts associated to sediment-laden and nutrient-loaded runoff pulses, in combination with non-point raw sewage pulses, and sediment bedload, impacted coastal coral reefs. Water quality showed significant spatio-temporal fluctuations (p<0.0001), largely responding to heavy rainfall and subsequent runoff pulses. Benthic community structure showed significant spatial variation along the environmental stress gradient (p=0.0002). Macroalgae, dead coral surfaces, algal turf, and low coral species richness, species diversity index (H’c), and evenness (J’c) dominated benthic assemblages across reefs frequently impacted by runoff pulses and sediment bedload. The combination of fecal coliform and enterococci concentrations were correlated with variation in benthic community structure (Rho=0.668; p=0.0020). The combined variation in salinity, dissolved oxygen and enterococci concentrations explained 75% of the observed spatial variation in benthic assemblages (R2 =0.7461; p=0.0400). Local human stressors affected coral reefs within no-take CLPNR and risk analyses suggest it may offset its ecological benefits. There is a need to design and implement integrated coastal-watershed management strategies to address multiple land use activities, including erosion-control best management practices, watershed reforestation, and sewage pollution control.},

keywords = {coral reefs, Environmental stress gradient, Land based source pollution, Multivariate analyses, Reef Restoration, Regime shift, Runoff pulses, Sewage pollution, Tropical islands},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Mercado-Molina2016,

title = {Branching dynamics of transplanted colonies of the threatened coral \textit{Acropora cervicornis}: Morphogenesis, complexity, and modeling},

author = {Mercado-Molina, Alex E. and Ruiz-Diaz, Claudia Patricia and Sabat, Alberto M.},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022098116300934?via%3Dihub

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303767879_Branching_dynamics_of_transplanted_colonies_of_the_threatened_coral_Acropora_cervicornis_Morphogenesis_complexity_and_modeling},

doi = {https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2016.05.004},

year  = {2016},

date = {2016-06-01},

urldate = {2016-06-01},

journal = {Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology},

volume = {482},

pages = {134-141},

abstract = {Acropora cervicornis is a threatened Caribbean coral that depends on branch fragmentation to proliferate. Understanding the patterns of branch formation is, therefore, essential for the development of management and conservation initiatives. This study describes branch morphogenesis in 100 colony fragments that were transplanted to two reefs in Puerto Rico that differ in light intensity. Four morphometric variables were measured for one year: internode length, branch growth rate, the number of ramifying branches (mother branches; MB), and the number of branches produced (daughter branches; DB). Branching complexity was also evaluated using two indices: the Horton-Strahler bifurcation ratio (Rb) and the Carrillo-Mendoza branching index (CM-BI). A simple discrete model was constructed to estimate the number of harvestable branches over time. No spatial difference was observed when comparing the development of the primary branches, as the mean internode lengths, the mean extension rates, and the mean number of branches produced did not differ statistically between sites. Likewise, internode lengths in secondary branches did not vary significantly between sites. In contrast, the mean branching and growth rates of secondary branches differed statistically between the two study locations. Significant spatial differences were also observed when comparing the total number of MB and the total number of DB but not for the ratio of DB to MB. The CM-BI was more appropriate than the Rb in describing the branching structure of A. cervicornis. The model provided a good fit to the observed branching dynamics; demonstrating its usefulness as a tool for predicting branch productivity of this species. The implications for restoration activities are discussed.},

keywords = {Acropora cervicornis, Reef Restoration},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Mercado-Molina2015b,

title = {Demography of the threatened coral \textit{Acropora cervicornis}: implications for its management and conservation},

author = {Mercado-Molina, Alex E. and Ruiz-Diaz, Claudia P. and Pérez, María E. and Rodríguez-Barreras, Ruber and Sabat, Alberto M.},

url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281639362_Demography_of_the_threatened_coral_Acropora_cervicornis_implications_for_its_management_and_conservation

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00338-015-1341-8

https://sampr.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Mercado-Molinaetal2015b.pdf

},

doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00338-015-1341-8},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-12-02},

urldate = {2015-12-02},

journal = {Coral Reefs},

volume = {34},

number = {4},

pages = {1113-1124},

abstract = {Populations of Acropora cervicornis have collapsed throughout the Caribbean. This situation has prompted the initiation of many restoration efforts; yet, there are insufficient demographic data and analyses to effectively guide these initiatives. In this study, we assessed the spatiotemporal variability of A. cervicornis vital rates. We also developed a population matrix model to (1) evaluate the risk of population extinction, (2) estimate population growth rates considering different rates of colony fragmentation and fragment survival, (3) determine the demographic transition(s) that contribute the most to spatiotemporal differences in growth rates , and (4) analyze the effectiveness of outplanting coral fragments of different sizes.Themodel was parameterized by following the fate of 300 colonies from 2011 to 2013 at two localities in Puerto Rico. Demographic transitions varied spatiotemporally, with a significant interaction between location and time period on colony fate. Spatiotemporal variations in growth rates were also observed. During the first year, populations exhibited growth rates below equilibrium (0.918 and 0.948), followed by a dramatic decline at both sites (0.535 and 0.709) during the second year. The lower growth rates were caused by a decrease in the probability of stasis of large-sized colonies coupled with the lack of sexual recruits and a meager contribution of asexual recruitment. Spatial variations in growth rates were largely due to differences in the probability of medium-sized colonies advancing to the largest size class. The viability analysis forecasts that the populations will reach quasi-extinction levels of 25% of the initial population size in less than 16 yrs. Numerical simulations indicate that outplanting fragments larger than 250 cm in total linear length (TLL) would result in a higher asymptotic population size than outplanting smaller fragments. We argue, however, that transplanting colonies less than 100 cm TLL will be a better management strategy because they can be produced faster and in higher numbers at coral nurseries.},

keywords = {Acropora cervicornis, coral reefs, Reef Restoration},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Mercado-Molina2015,

title = {Demographics and dynamics of two restored populations of the threatened reef-building coral \textit{Acropora cervicornis}},

author = {Mercado-Molina, Alex E. and Ruiz-Diaz, Claudia P. and Sabat, Alberto M.},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1617138115000023

},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2015.01.001},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-01-17},

urldate = {2015-01-17},

journal = {Journal for Nature Conservation},

volume = {24},

pages = {17-23},

abstract = {Acropora cervicornis is one of the principal reef-building organisms in the Caribbean; it is also considered one of the most threatened coral species. Due to its ecological importance and critical status it is the focus of many restoration and management initiatives. However, studies that quantitatively measure the efficacy or feasibility of these efforts are mostly lacking. In this study, nursery-reared fragments ofA. cervicornis were transplanted to two reefs in Puerto Rico as part of a reef rehabilitation program, andtheir survival, growth, and branch production were measured for a year. We also evaluated the effect ofthis restoration on the dynamics and viability of the fragment populations by means of a simple model.Survival of outplanted fragments surpassed 60%. Colony growth rate varied between 0.20 ± 0.18 and0.29 ± 0.21 cm d−1(mean ± SD) whereas branch production ranged between 7.02 ± 5.72 and 11.86 ± 7.06(mean ± SD) branches per fragment per year. Survival did not vary considerably with respect to fragmentsize. In contrast, large fragments (≥25 cm) grew faster and tended to produce more branches than smallerones. Model simulations indicate that (1) in the absence of recruitment, and without any subsequenthuman intervention, restored populations will decrease below a quasi-extinction level of 25% of theinitial population size after just 3 years and (2) transplanting at least 20 colony fragments per year (12%of initial population) is sufficient to keep the restored populations above the 25% threshold. We conclude that A. cervicornis may be a feasible species for restoration projects given sustained human intervention and that transplanting fragments of at least 25 cm to reefs is an effective restoration protocol that requires minimum effort to maintain a viable restored population of this key reef-building coral.},

keywords = {Acropora cervicornis, coral reefs, Coral transplantation, Fragment stabilization, Reef Restoration},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Hernández-Delgado2015b,

title = {Community-Based Coral Reef Rehabilitation in a Changing Climate: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes, Extreme Rainfall, and Changing Land Use Impacts},

author = {Hernández-Delgado, Edwin A. and Mercado-Molina, Alex E. and Alejandro-Camis, Pedro J. and Candelas-Sánchez, Frances and Fonseca-Miranda, Jaime S. and González-Ramos, Carmen M. and Guzmán-Rodríguez, Roger and Mège, Pascal and Montañez-Acuña, Alfredo A. and Olivo Maldonado, Iván and Otaño-Cruz, Abimarie and Suleimán-Ramos, Samuel E.},

url = {https://sampr.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Hernandez-Delgadoetal.2014Coralreefrehabclimatechange.pdf

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267453286_Community-Based_Coral_Reef_Rehabilitation_in_a_Changing_Climate_Lessons_Learned_from_Hurricanes_Extreme_Rainfall_and_Changing_Land_Use_Impacts

https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=50930

},

doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oje.2014.414077},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-10-11},

urldate = {2014-10-11},

journal = {Open Journal of Ecology},

volume = {4},

pages = {918-944},

abstract = {Coral reefs have largely declined across multiple spatial scales due to a combination of local-scale  anthropogenic impacts, and due to regional-global climate change. This has resulted in a significant loss of entire coral functional groups, including western Atlantic Staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) biotopes, and in a net decline of coral reef ecosystem resilience, ecological functions, services and benefits. Low-tech coral farming has become one of the most important tools to help restore depleted coral reefs across the Wider Caribbean Region. We tested a community-based, 

low-tech coral farming approach in Culebra Island, Puerto Rico, aimed at adapting to climate change-related impacts through a two-year project to propagate A. cervicornis under two contrasting fishing management conditions, in coastal areas experimenting significant land use changes. Extreme rainfall events and recurrent tropical storms and hurricanes had major site- and method-specific impacts on project outcome, particularly in areas adjacent to deforested lands 

and subjected to recurrent impacts from land-based source pollution (LBSP) and runoff. Overall, coral survival rate in “A frame” units improved from 73% during 2011-2012 to 81% during 2012-2013. Coral survival rate improved to 97% in horizontal line nurseries (HLN) incorporated during 2012-2013. Percent tissue cover ranged from 86% to 91% in “A frames”, but reached 98% in HLN. Mean coral skeletal extension was 27 cm/y in “A frames” and 40 cm/y in HLN. These 

growth rates were up to 545% to 857% faster than previous reports from coral farms from other parts of the Caribbean, and up to 438% faster than wild colonies. Branch production and branchiness index (no. harvestable branches > 6 cm) increased by several orders of magnitude in comparison to the original colonies at the beginning of the project. Coral mortality was associated to hurricane physical impacts and sediment-laden runoff impacts associated to extreme rainfall and deforestation of adjacent lands. This raises a challenging question regarding the impact of chronic 

high sea surface temperature (SST), in combination with recurrent high nutrient pulses, in fostering increased coral growth at the expense of coral physiological conditions which may compromise corals resistance to disturbance. Achieving successful local management of reefs and adjacent lands is vital to maintain the sustained net production in coral farms and of reef structure, and the provision of the important ecosystem services that they provide. These measures are vital for buying time for reefs while global action on climate change is implemented. Adaptive community- 

based strategies are critical to strengthen institutional management efforts. But government agencies need to transparently build local trust, empower local stakeholders, and foster co-management to be fully successful. Failing to achieve that could make community-based coral reef rehabilitation more challenging, and could potentially drive rapidly declining, transient coral reefs into the slippery slope to slime.},

keywords = {Acropora cervicornis, Reef Restoration},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Hernández-Delgado2014bc,

title = {E.S.A. CORAL SPECIES LISTING: A ROADBLOCK TO COMMUNITY-BASED ENGAGEMENT IN CORAL REEF CONSERVATION AND REHABILITATION ACROSS THE U.S. CARIBBEAN?},

author = {Hernández-Delgado, Edwin A. and Suleimán-Ramos, Samuel E.},

url = {https://sampr.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/E_S_A_CORAL_SPECIES_LISTING_A_ROADBLOCK.pdf

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265405995_ESA_coral_species_listing_a_roadblock_to_community-based_engagement_in_coral_reef_conservation_and_rehabilitation_across_the_US_Caribbean},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-02-27},

urldate = {2014-02-27},

journal = {REEF ENCOUNTER},

volume = {29},

number = {1},

pages = {11-15},

abstract = {Coral reef ecosystems have declined globally driven by multiple local-scale human stressors and large-scale climate change-related factors, which can produce a combination of acute, stochastic events, and longterm, slowly-evolving changes (Côté and Darling 2010, Hughes et al. 2013). Mounting evidence points to the wider Caribbean region as one of the most susceptible to rapid ecosystem resilience decline (Rogers and Miller 2006, Roff and Mumby 2012, Rogers 2013). This has often resulted in a long-term decline in percent live coral cover, species diversity and a widespread phase shift in benthic community structure (Hughes 1994, Miller et al. 2009, Edmunds 2013), with limited recovery ability (Hughes and Tanner 2000, Birkeland et al. 2013). It has also resulted in the demise of susceptible coral functional groups such as Atlantic acroporid corals (Bruckner and Hourigan 2000) and a major loss of coral reef ecosystem resilience, functions, benefits, services, and socio-economic value (Bellwood et al. 2004), including the ability to sustain fisheries (Pauley et al. 2002, Pauley and Zeller, 2014, Pratchett et al. 2014).},

keywords = {Acropora cervicornis, Caribbean Coral Reefs, coral reefs, CORAL SPECIES LISTING, Reef Restoration},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}