A rapid in situ fluorescence census for coral reef monitoring

Abstract

Since the discovery of Green fluorescent protein (GFP) from jellyfish, many GFP-like marine fluorescent proteins have been unveiled and implicated in myriad of biomedical and toxicological research applications. However, fluorescence trait has not been implemented in the field applications so far. In this study, using a UV-blue light, we induced fluorescence of corals to identify the diseased and damaged corals as well as newly recruiting and encrusting corals buried in sedimentation and algal covers. Healthy corals have displayed complete body fluorescence, whereas the dead, damaged and diseased corals are failed to display complete fluorescence. The development of pink line disease on Porites sp. was obvious under UV illumination than in visible light, revealing the hidden disease level propagation in Porites. Coral recruitment is well appreciated in both the study locations Burmanallah and Hare Island. Results of this study infer that this method is a highly reliable and rapid in field to study recruitment, disease propagation and health status of coral reefs.