The Hawaiian Koʻa Card: coral health and bleaching assessment color reference card for Hawaiian corals

Abstract

Coral reefs are the foundation to our social, cultural, and economic life; however, reefs around the world are currently being threatened by many local and global impacts. Ongoing increases in seawater temperature pose significant threats to the integrity of these valuable ecosystems through extensive coral bleaching events. Therefore, we developed a coral health reference card, the Hawaiian Koʻa (coral) Card, to assess and quantify coral bleaching and to educate the community about its impacts in Hawai‘i. To accurately quantify the change in coral color during bleaching, controlled laboratory studies followed by field validations and surveys were conducted. Colors presented on the Hawaiian Koʻa Card have been linked to physiological state and health (e.g., symbiont density, chlorophyll levels, photosynthetic performance) of common coral species in Hawaiʻi due to bleaching. The Hawaiian Koʻa Card provides a technical solution to inform and improve management of our nearshore resources through collaborative monitoring efforts by community members, educators, researchers, and managers on a state-wide scale, which will assist in determining management efficacy, identifying regions and species of resilience, establishing baselines and focus areas, and developing and executing rapid response plans.