Corals and coral reefs of the Pacific coast of Colombia

Abstract

This chapter examines the coral reef development on the Pacific coast of Colombia. It provides a summary of studies on coral community distribution, composition, and ecological structure; and a discussion on natural and anthropogenic impacts and effects. Coral reef development in this area of the eastern Pacific is marginal; the communities are small, and the species are poor and discontinuously distributed. They occur in a variety of environmental settings ranging from coastal, to continental insular, to oceanic. The largest most developed and species-rich coral reefs are located at Gorgona Island. Coral and coral reef development on the Pacific of Colombia is limited due to suboptimal climatic and oceanographic conditions, such as a narrow continental shelf, intense rainfall, and extreme temperature fluctuations caused by sporadic upwelling and El Niño. Most important among these are El Niño warming events, which have caused coral bleaching and mortality. In addition, other natural disturbances affect the coral reefs in this region, including periodic sub-aerial exposure during extreme low tides, high sedimentation, seasonal upwelling, and tectonic activity. Most of the areas with coral reef development on the Colombian Pacific are legally protected. However, all are subject to sporadic anthropogenic impacts. Human disturbances are lowest on the remote Malpelo Island, and are highest on the northern coastal reefs. Coral reefs of the Colombian Pacific constitute a key marine biotope, and provide economic and social assets as habitats for artisanal fisheries, as well as recreation and educational activities.