Management Of Coral Reef Ecosystems Research Articles

Degradation of coral reef ecosystems: Mathematical-dynamical modeling approach

Abstract The review delves into the frontier of degradation of coral reef ecosystems, a pressing urgent issue to be addressed in marine ecological environments, and provides a critical assessment of current advances and future perspective on the topic. This study highlights the recent developments in coral bleaching, coral-algal phase shifts, coral disease, and natural enemy bloom, all of which are thoroughly documented and expounded. Special attention focus on the studies employing mathematical-dynamical modeling approaches. This review study also offers some valuable insights, illuminating ideas, and clear perspective into some current, emerging, and promising research directions for future studies, particularly those based on mathematical-biological modeling approaches. These approaches are anticipated to offer a theoretical foundation and provide crucial decision-making reference for the protection, restoration, and management of coral reef ecosystems.

Change in Reef Fish Assemblages along Depth Gradient at Gili Rakit and Gili Lipan Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Since 2010, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been established in Indonesia to ensure the sustainable management of coral reef ecosystems. This study examines fish assemblages across varying depths and MPAs management areas, specifically assessing the suitability of Gili Rakit and Gili Lipan MPAs. The study concludes that deeper coral reefs have higher reef fish abundance, with a majority of carnivores, planktivores, and omnivores. Gili Taekebo has the lowest abundance and species richness, while Pulau Lipan has the highest. The target reef fish are primarily found in the core zone, rehabilitation, and open access management types. Based on the findings, MPAs should prioritize sites with gradient depth coral reefs and complex habitats to enhance reef fish biodiversity richness. Takad Tabampang and Pulau Bedil are recommended as sustainable fisheries management types, while Gili Taekebo could benefit from rehabilitation or open access management. Pulau Lipan and Labajo may benefit from target fish re-stocking programs.

Combined Culture and DNA Metabarcoding Analysis of Cyanobacterial Community Structure in Response to Coral Reef Health Status in the South China Sea

Cyanobacteria occupy an extraordinarily diverse array of ecological niches in coral reefs because they play multifaceted roles, including primary carbon and nitrogen fixation, calcification, nutrient cycling, and oxygen production, as well as coral reef degradation through skeletal biocorrosion and polymicrobial diseases. In this study, cyanobacterial diversity in sediment, water, and coral tissues were explored in relation to coral health status (slightly, moderately, and severely damaged) of coral reefs at Weizhou Island, South China Sea. Microscopy of taxa morphological characteristics was combined with 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding. Fifteen and forty-three cyanobacterial genera were identified based on universal prokaryotic 16S rRNA gene primers and cyanobacteria-specific 16S rRNA gene primers metabarcoding, respectively, indicating a more sophisticated efficiency of the latter. In addition, three out of seven cyanobacterial strains that were isolated and identified based on morphology and phylogeny could not be detected using either molecular method. Therefore, culture-based combined cyanobacteria-specific 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding are highly recommended in future routine surveys. There was a clear distinction in cyanobacterial assemblage composition among locations with different coral health statuses, with degraded reefs exhibiting approximately a 1.25-fold increase in species compared to healthy habitats. In addition, the spreading of potentially toxic cyanobacteria, such as Nostoc and Lyngbya, in the degraded reef implies putative links to reef degradation. This study provides novel insights into the taxonomical diversity of cyanobacteria in tropical coral reefs. Metabarcoding is recommended as an effective tool for revealing cyanobacterial diversity patterns and thereby providing critical information for the effective management of coral reef ecosystems.

Coral reef fish assemblages exhibit signs of depletion in two protected areas from the eastern of Los Canarreos archipelago (Cuba, Caribbean Sea).

Understanding the impact of marine protected areas on the distribution and composition of fishes is key to the protection and management of coral reef ecosystems, and especially for fish-based activities such as SCUBA diving and recreational fishing. The aim of this research is to compare the ichthyofauna structure in three areas in the eastern part of Los Canarreos archipelago in Cuba with different management schemes: Cayo Campos-Cayo Rosario Fauna Refuge (CCCR), Cayo Largo Ecological Reserve (CL) and non-protected area (nMPA), and considering habitat differences and depth variation. A total of 131 video transects were conducted using diver operated stereo-video (stereo-DOV) in November, 2015 in backreef and forereef along the CCCR, CL and the adjacent nMPA. We recorded 84 species and 27 functional groups suggesting high complementarity of functions. Several multispecies schools were observed along surveys, which explain the biomass peaks in some sites, mainly for Lutjanidae, Haemulidae and Carangidae. A concerning issue was the bare representation of critical functional groups and threatened species. The effect of sites nested within habitats was significant and the most important driver structuring fish assemblages, while MPA condition was not evident. Favorable habitat features (habitat heterogeneity and surrounding coastal ecosystems) are likely enhancing fish assemblages and counteracting the effects of pouching derived from insufficient management. We recommend immediate actions within a strategy of precautionary management including, but not limited to, the appointment of staff for the administration of CL, frequent monitoring and effective enforcement.

Seq' and ARMS shall find: DNA (meta)barcoding of Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures across the tree of life uncovers hidden cryptobiome of tropical urban coral reefs.

Coral reefs are among the richest marine ecosystems on Earth, but there remains much diversity hidden within cavities of complex reef structures awaiting discovery. While the abundance of corals and other macroinvertebrates are known to influence the diversity of other reef-associated organisms, much remains unknown on the drivers of cryptobenthic diversity. A combination of standardized sampling with 12 units of the Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structure (ARMS) and high-throughput sequencing was utilized to uncover reef cryptobiome diversity across the equatorial reefs in Singapore. DNA barcoding and metabarcoding of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, nuclear 18S and bacterial 16S rRNA genes revealed the taxonomic composition of the reef cryptobiome, comprising 15,356 microbial ASVs from over 50 bacterial phyla, and 971 MOTUs across 15 metazoan and 19 non-metazoan eukaryote phyla. Environmental factors across different sites were tested for relationships with ARMS diversity. Differences among reefs in diversity patterns of metazoans and other eukaryotes, but not microbial communities, were associated with biotic (coral cover) and abiotic (distance, temperature and sediment) environmental variables. In particular, ARMS deployed at reefs with higher coral cover had greater metazoan diversity and encrusting plate cover, with larger-sized non-coral invertebrates influencing spatial patterns among sites. Our study showed that DNA barcoding and metabarcoding of ARMS constitute a valuable tool for quantifying cryptobenthic diversity patterns and can provide critical information for the effective management of coral reef ecosystems.

Potentials of Establishing Sentinel Integrated Reef Ecosystem in Eastern Coast of Bicol Region, Philippines

Sentinel species is an important input in understanding environmental health conditions that can provide integrated and relevant information on the possible degree of impact of anthropogenic and natural causes providing information about ecological processes. Identifying “proper set” of ecosystem sentinels will enhance the capacity to monitor and predict environmental change to help guide ecosystem science and conservation efforts. In the Eastern Bicol Region, we surveyed selected areas to identify the healthy coral reefs to develop a “sentinel integrated system” that will allow regular monitoring of the best reefs and as a showcase for proper coral reef ecosystem management. Please describe the methods briefly. Results showed that there are healthy reefs and indicator organisms were found that are good candidate for a sentinel integrated system that can serve as potential markers of environmental or biological changes. Most healthy reefs are found in Eastern Al (Albay and Lagonoy Gulfs) while those in Asid Gulf and Western Albay have low reef quality. This also corresponds to deep and shallow reef areas respectively.

ANALISIS TINGKAT KESESUAIAN WISATA BAHARI PADA EKOSISTEM TERUMBU KARANG DI PULAU LAREA- REA KABUPATEN SINJAI

Coral reefs are one of the marine tourism potentials that need to be managed in a sustainable manner by looking at the suitability of tourism and the carrying capacity of the environment. Data on the potential for coral reefs will support government programs related to conservation and rehabilitation of coastal and marine ecosystems as a focus area for maritime research. This study aims to determine the potential and percentage of coral reef cover, know the tourism suitability index and environmental carrying capacity, know the direction of coral reef ecosystem management. The research method is using UPT (Underwater Photo Transect), as well as measurement of environmental parameters on Larea-rea Island. Data analysis using CPCe 4.1 software, and Arcgis 10.8 (Kismanto et.al, 2018). Than, an analysis of the suitability of diving tourism and an analysis of the carrying capacity of the area is carried out (Yulianda, 2018).Coral reefs are one of the marine tourism potentials that need to be managed in a sustainable manner by looking at the suitability of tourism and the carrying capacity of the environment. Data on the potential for coral reefs will support government programs related to conservation and rehabilitation of coastal and marine ecosystems as a focus area for maritime research. This study aims to determine the potential and percentage of coral reef cover, know the tourism suitability index and environmental carrying capacity, know the direction of coral reef ecosystem management. The research method is using UPT (Underwater Photo Transect), as well as measurement of environmental parameters on Larea-rea Island. Data analysis using CPCe 4.1 software, and Arcgis 10.8 (Kismanto et.al, 2018). Than, an analysis of the suitability of diving tourism and an analysis of the carrying capacity of the area is carried out (Yulianda, 2018). The results of this study indicate that the percentage of potential coral reef cover at all stations is 10-36%, indicating that the coral condition is not good (according to the conditions). Damage to coral reef ecosystems due to environmentally unfriendly fishing activities (Wardani, 2018). The number of lifeform types ranged from 8-12, while the number of fish species obtained was 37-44 species. The suitability class category based on the results of the analysis at the three stations obtained the appropriate category (S2), with a percentage of the IKW value of 50-67% (Yulianda, 2018). Then, area carrying capacity (DDK) in the diving tourism category is an average of 528 people / day from the three stations. Management and development of marine tourism can be done by determining the zone of utilization and rehabilitation of coral reef ecosystems, as well as limiting visitors for certain periods to reduce the potential impact of environmental degradation.

The coral reef health index in Teluk Sebong, Bintan Island

Teluk Sebong is one of the areas around Bintan Island, Indonesia, that has potential coral reef resources. Bintan borders directly with neighbouring countries and with a major shipping lane (ALKI I) traversing the Indonesian Archipelago. This makes the coral reef ecosystems in this region particularly vulnerable to disruption from changes in the aquatic environment. There is a need for primary data on the coral reef ecosystem condition as a basis for understanding changes in this ecosystem. One commonly used method is the Coral Reef Health Index (CRHI), which can describe the current status in terms of live coral cover, the level of resilience (potential for recovery) during times of stress, the condition of economically important reef fish biomass, and ecologically related functions. The CRHI can be used in monitoring coral reef status and can provide a basis for the management of coral reef ecosystems. This study examined five sampling sites located in Teluk Sebong, Bintan Island. The in-situ data collection included the condition of coral reefs using the Underwater Photo Transect (UPT) method and reef fish condition using the Underwater Visual Census (UVC) method. The coral data collected were analyzed using the CPCe (Coral Point Calculate with Excel extension) software version 4.0 to determine the percentage benthic cover. The coral reef fish data were analyzed to provide target fish density and biomass values (carnivores and herbivores). The live coral cover in Teluk Sebong ranged from 30.87 - 45.40%. Out of the five research sites, Berakit, Pengudang, and Lagoi Bay had coral cover in the high category while coral cover at Banyan Tree and Rawa Island was in the medium category. Reef fish biomass in Teluk Sebong ranged from 9.26 - 108.07 kg/ha, and at all research sites fish biomass was in a low category. The coral reef ecosystem resilience in Teluk Sebong was high at the Berakit and Banyan tree sites; in contrast, Pengudang, Lagoi Bay, and Rawa Island were in the low resilience category. The coral reef index (CRHI) value was highest in Berakit (CRHI = 6), followed by Banyan Tree (CRHI = 5), Pengudang (CRHI = 4), Lagoi Bay (CRHI = 4), and Rawa Island (CRHI = 2).

Sustainable Coral Reef Ecosystem Management in Palopo City Territorial Waters

Damage to coral reefs in the waters of Palopo City poses danger to the productivity of the habitat. Therefore, carrying out the adopting the principles of a conservation in the use and management of coral reefs in Palopo City area waters through an integrated system and participation of multi-stakeholders is considered imperative. The study analyzed the level and causes of damage coral reefs, assessed the role of stakeholders in managing coral reef ecosystems, and formulated a strategic model for managing coral reef ecosystems in Palopo City waters. Methods of data analysis included assessment of coral reef condition, stakeholder analysis, and hierarchical analysis. Result showed that fishing activity using environmentally unfriendly gear such as fish bombs and potassium is one of the principal causes of damage to coral reefs in the waters of Palopo City. Most damage occured to coral reefs at a depth of 4 meters at station 1, which registered a the percentage of the mortality index of 82.07%. Meanwhile, the least damage was 69.73%. At the depth of 4 meters station two is Result of stakeholder mapping identified three groups inter alia, contest setters, key players, and subject. The first priority strategy in the management of coral reef ecosystems in the waters of Palopo City should be designate the zoning of coastal areas, coordination among stakeholders that are relevant and important with respect to coral reef ecosystems power relations, drafting local regulations that mandate sustainable use and management of coral reef ecosystems and increasing training programs for fishing communities.

Assessment of Coral Reef Condition and Management Strategy in the Biak Timur Watershed, Biak Numfor

This study aims to assess the condition of the coral reef ecosystem in East Biak waters and formulate a strategy for optimal and sustainable management of coral reef ecosystems in the waters of East Biak, Biak Numfor Regency. Data and information were collected through the application of various methods, namely field surveys using transect techniques, interviews using questionnaires and document tracing. The data analysis method consisted of analyzing the condition of the coral reef ecosystem, SWOT analysis. The results showed that the waters of East Biak had very varied coral reef ecosystem conditions with a range of 22 - 85% with an average percentage of coral cover of 68.78% and when compared to the percentage of coral cover in 2018 there was an increase of 12%, although found in some location has decreased. In the management of coral reef ecosystems in this area there is support from the government, but due to budget constraints, the management has not been carried out optimally. From the analysis, several management alternatives are recommended, namely; (1) Optimizing coral reef management through; zoning arrangements for coastal and marine areas, increasing community, private and government participation in coral reef management and strengthening regional regulations; (2) Conservation and rehabilitation of coral reef ecosystems through; strengthening regional marine conservation areas, carrying out conservation and rehabilitation of coral reef ecosystems, regulating fish utilization activities in the area, integrated law enforcement and strengthening community-based monitoring and supervision systems; and (3) Increasing the quality of life of the community through; public awareness of the importance of coral reefs, community empowerment, repositioning of community livelihoods and developing technology for the utilization of marine biological resources that are effective and environmentally friendly.

Permintaan Ekowisata Bahari (Snorkeling dan Diving) dan Valuasi Sumber Daya Terumbu Karang di Taman Nasional Karimunjawa

Karimunjawa National Park was designated as a Marine National Park area since the enactment of Kepdirjen PHKA No. SK. 28/IV-SET/2012. The marine tourism utilization zone covers 2.45% of the total area of TNKJ. One of the great potential resources that is utilized in tourism utilization zone is coral reefs. Economic valuations of coral reefs are considered necessary as an approach to show the benefits of coral reef ecosystem management policy making and provide useful information for marine tourism development. Marine ecotourism activities in TNKJ are snorkeling and diving. To know the factors influencing marine ecotourism activity of TNKJ, the Travel Cost Method was used to presume the consumer surplus. This information is used as an input or consideration to manage the coral reef resources for marine ecotourism activity of TNKJ. Based on correlation and regression analysis, marine ecotourism demand is influenced by travel cost, age, education, income, gender, long trip, and distance. Marine snorkeling tourism are significantly (α=0,05) influenced by gender and duration of travel with coefficient values of -1,2325 and -0,1942. The demand model of snorkeling tours to travel cost is y = 11.831.242,4107x-7,8684 with consumer surplus of IDR94549/person. Diving marine tourism is significantly (α=0.05) influenced by travel cost, trip length, and distance with coefficient value of -1.23E-06, -0.0947, and 0.0033. The demand model to travel cost is y = 2.363.272,7634x-0,9236 with consumer surplus of IDR29254/person. Based on these results, marine ecotourism of snorkeling and diving of TNKJ has the potential to be developed in economic terms through the determination of entrance fee. Keywords: coral reefs, economic value, Karimunjawa National Park, marine ecotourism

Regulatory and Institutional Framework for the Conservation of Coral Reefs in Bangladesh: A Critical Review

The coral reefs' crisis increases with the combined effects of natural and anthropogenic disturbances. It is predicted that coral reefs could extinct soon from the world. Bangladesh has only one coral Island named Saint Martin, locally known as 'Narikel Jinjira’. This is one of the most popular tourist spots in Bangladesh, entertaining thousands of tourists per year due to its unique landscape, blue water, and coral colonies' presence. This Island lost most of the coral in recent times. The coral reef ecosystem management needs to focus on reforming the legal and institutional frameworks for enhancing the local administration's capabilities to address the adverse effects of the stressors and promote ecosystem services by improving resilience. The study aims at analyzing the existing institutional and legal frameworks for conserving the coral reefs. Fieldwork was conducted at Saint Martin Island and Teknaf Upazila to collect data. The related literature on legal documents was reviewed critically. It is found that despite having legal mechanisms and institutional frameworks, non-compliances with laws and poor coordination among different sectors are widespread, resulting in severe degradation of coral resources. In most of the laws, robust institutional arrangements were ignored. The study recommends integrating the legal and institutional frameworks governing the environment, tourism, and fisheries sectors. Effective marine governance, increasing coordination among different sectors, amending some existing rules, and activating MCS (monitoring, control, surveillance) system can improve the scenario.

A biodiversity assessment of hard corals in dive spots within Dampier Straits Marine Protected Area in Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Abstract. Yuanike, Yulianda F, Bengen DG, Dahuri R, Souhoka J. 2019. A biodiversity assessment of hard corals in dive spots within Dampier Straits Marine Protected Area in Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 1198-1207. Hard coral dominates coral reef ecosystems and has important functions and interactions in communities of marine biota. The structure and diversity of hard coral communities is very important to quantify, especially for the management of coral reef ecosystems. The purpose of this research is to identify the diversity of hard coral types, and quantify the condition of hard coral and their distributions in 10 marine stations in Dampier Straits Marine Protected Areas, Raja Ampat. The research method used was line intercept transects measured at two depths, 3 m and 6 m. The results showed there were 141 hard coral species included in 16 families. The percentage live cover of hard coral was in good conditions with an overall average coverage value of 64,24%. The biodiversity index (H) ranged from 0,84-1,23, the evenness index of species ranged from 0,73-0,94, and the species dominance index ranged from 0,05-0,25, indicating a high biodiversity and a lack of dominance by a single species. Although cover was slightly higher at 3m depth, diversity was slightly higher at 6m depth. In general, the 10 research stations in Dampier Straits has hard coral in good condition and the diversity of hard coral species is very productive and has stable growth compared with other sites in Indonesia.

MANAGEMENT ON CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEM IN THE SIANTAN TENGAH DISTRICT, ANAMBAS ISLANDS

Coral reef ecosystem management in Siantan Tengah District, Anambas Islands need to be improved to obtain the optimal results. Currently, the coral reef ecosystem management is conducted sectorally, therefore, it can cause a damage on coral reef ecosystem. The purposes of this study were to analyze sustainability status of coral reefs managements in the District Central Siantan and to formulate the sustainability of coral reef ecosystem management. Multi Dimensional Scaling (MDS) with Rap-Insus COREMAG approach was used to analyze the sustainability status of coral reef management. The results showed that the sustainability status of coral reef management in Siantan Tengah District was sustainable with multidimensional index of 51.457. Dimensions that need to be improved to achieve the optimal management of coral reef ecosystems in a sustainable manner is social dimension to the value of sustainability by 42.324 and institutional dimensions of 49.85 which is classed as less sustainable. This results of this research are expected to be able to facilitate the stakeholders to arrange the sustainability of coral reef ecosystem management in the Siantan Tengah District. Keywords: coral reef management, sustainability analysis, Siantan Tengah District, Anambas Island, Multi Dimensional Scaling (MDS)

Kajian Kondisi Terumbu Karang dan Strategi Pengelolaannya di Pulau Panjang, Air Bangis, Kabupaten Pasaman Barat

Coral reef ecosystems are essential for the survival of marine life, but the presence of coral reef are declined and decayed.Methods used in this study was a survey method. To retrieve the condition of coral cover using the line intercept transectwhile to determine management strategies using SWOT analysis. The average percentage of coral cover in 8 point researchstations at 50.10% are still in the good condition, which is in the north 3 m depth 53.51%, north 7 m depth 68.14%, east 3 mdepth 93.29%, east 7 m depth 15.93%, south 3 m depth 75.17%, south 7 m depth 20.53%, west 3 m depth 41.50%, and west7 m depth 32.79%. The strategies for coral reef ecosystem management, among others: 1) community-based management, 2)forming Kelompok Masyarakat Pengawas (Pokmaswas) institutions, 3) establish in Panjang Island as a marine conservationareas, 4) Ko-Management-based, 5) effort to improve the economy in order to support the increased knowledge of theimportance of conservation and management of coral reef ecosystem.

First record of multi-species synchronous coral spawning from Malaysia.

Knowledge about the timing and synchrony of coral spawning has important implications for both the ecology and management of coral reef ecosystems. Data on the timing of spawning and extent of synchrony, however, are still lacking for many coral reefs, particularly from equatorial regions and from locations within the coral triangle. Here we present the first documentation of a multi-species coral spawning event from reefs around Pulau Tioman, Peninsular Malaysia, a popular diving and tourist destination located on the edge of the coral triangle. At least 8 coral species from 3 genera (Acropora, Montipora and Porites) participated in multi-species spawning over five nights in April 2014, between two nights before and two nights after the full moon. In addition, two Acropora species were witnessed spawning one night prior to the full moon in October 2014. While two of the Acropora species that reproduced in April (A. millepora and A. nasuta) exhibited highly synchronous spawning (100% of sampled colonies), two other common species (A. hyacinthus and A. digitifera) did not contain visible eggs in the majority of colonies sampled (i.e., <15% of colonies) in either April or October, suggesting that these species spawn at other times of the year. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first detailed documented observation of multi-species coral spawning from reefs in Malaysia. These data provide further support for the contention that this phenomenon is a feature of all speciose coral assemblages, including equatorial reefs. More research is needed, however, to determine the seasonal cycles and extent of spawning synchrony on these reefs and elsewhere in Malaysia.

Participatory GIS to inform coral reef ecosystem management: Mapping human coastal and ocean uses in Hawaii

Sociospatial information is critical to marine and coastal ecosystem management. The Hawaii Coastal Uses Mapping Project used a participatory geographic information systems (PGIS) methodology to gather local knowledge regarding the location and intensity of coastal human activities in Hawaii's priority sites for coral reef management. PGIS provided an efficient and effective means of obtaining information in a data-poor context, particularly at a scale and location where considerable local knowledge is held by community members and resource users. We detail the PGIS methods developed to collect sociospatial data on human uses in the project regions and discuss important considerations regarding the practice of PGIS that emerged from the mapping process, as well as implications for the production and documentation of spatial knowledge. Key themes include: issues of scale and appropriateness in using PGIS as a method for mapping human coastal and marine activities; data validity, authority, and the nature of local knowledge; community trust, engagement, and collaboration; and utility for coral reef management. While several factors limit local agencies' ability to use this spatial information to date, natural resource managers found the participatory mapping process to be highly valuable for stakeholder identification and engagement, and the maps provide a resource to state and federal managers to better understand the human implications of future management scenarios.

ReefBahia, an integrated GIS approach for coral reef conservation in Bahia, Brazil

Coral reefs around the world are facing serious threats. These fragile ecosystems are in need for conservation. The coastal state of Bahia hosts the most extensive and richest area of coral reefs in the South Atlantic Ocean. Assessment, planning and management of coral reef ecosystems are particularly challenging tasks. This work shows how the creation of a GIS improves the process of management, monitoring and conservation of the Bahian reef environments The initial data input started by the vectorization of 1) bathymetric data from the Bureau of Hydrography and Navigation (DHN), 2) shoreline and mangrove areas from Landsat 7 ETM + images, 3) near surface reefs from Quickbird images, and 4) coastal and marine protected areas of federal, state and local administrations. Geological, physical, biological and social information was then included in order to create a suitable marine GIS for conservation aims. The data includes information on sediment granulometry and transport patterns, rocky substrate outcrops, sea surface temperature, wave direction, rain precipitation, major contributing river discharge, artisanal fishery, benthic cover and bleaching data. ReefBahia GIS has provided essential information for a better understanding of coral reefs of the state of Bahia geological and ecological characteristics such as mapping, representation, connectivity and biodiversity of coral reefs, geological facies, Quaternary sedimentation, numeric modeling of wave refraction and monitoring of bleaching events.

Multi-Scale Approach for Predicting Fish Species Distributions across Coral Reef Seascapes

Two of the major limitations to effective management of coral reef ecosystems are a lack of information on the spatial distribution of marine species and a paucity of data on the interacting environmental variables that drive distributional patterns. Advances in marine remote sensing, together with the novel integration of landscape ecology and advanced niche modelling techniques provide an unprecedented opportunity to reliably model and map marine species distributions across many kilometres of coral reef ecosystems. We developed a multi-scale approach using three-dimensional seafloor morphology and across-shelf location to predict spatial distributions for five common Caribbean fish species. Seascape topography was quantified from high resolution bathymetry at five spatial scales (5–300 m radii) surrounding fish survey sites. Model performance and map accuracy was assessed for two high performing machine-learning algorithms: Boosted Regression Trees (BRT) and Maximum Entropy Species Distribution Modelling (MaxEnt). The three most important predictors were geographical location across the shelf, followed by a measure of topographic complexity. Predictor contribution differed among species, yet rarely changed across spatial scales. BRT provided ‘outstanding’ model predictions (AUC = >0.9) for three of five fish species. MaxEnt provided ‘outstanding’ model predictions for two of five species, with the remaining three models considered ‘excellent’ (AUC = 0.8–0.9). In contrast, MaxEnt spatial predictions were markedly more accurate (92% map accuracy) than BRT (68% map accuracy). We demonstrate that reliable spatial predictions for a range of key fish species can be achieved by modelling the interaction between the geographical location across the shelf and the topographic heterogeneity of seafloor structure. This multi-scale, analytic approach is an important new cost-effective tool to accurately delineate essential fish habitat and support conservation prioritization in marine protected area design, zoning in marine spatial planning, and ecosystem-based fisheries management.

SUPPORTING CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEMS RESEARCH THROUGH MODELLING A REUSABLE ONTOLOGY FRAMEWORK

A set of reusable ontologies has been developed as separate components within a knowledge representation (KR) system, to generically model a reef system. The ontology design, ranging from light to heavyweight, aims to leverage from the scalable characteristics of semantic technologies to allow for flexibility when posing domain and locality-specific hypotheses, such as predicting coral bleaching. The Semantic Reef Project is an eco-informatics application designed to test ecological hypotheses to derive information about environmental systems. The intention is to develop an automated data processing, problem-solving, and knowledge discovery system that will assist in developing our understanding and management of coral reef ecosystems. Remote environmental monitoring (including sensor networks) is being widely developed and used for collecting real-time data across widely distributed locations. As the volume of raw data increases, it is envisaged that bottlenecks will develop in the data analysis phases because current data processing procedures still involve manual manipulation and will soon become unfeasible to manage. Ontologies provide a new approach and methodology for modulating this data overflow while also improving our ability to extract knowledge from the data collected.