An Interdisciplinary Erosion Mitigation Approach for Coral Reef Protection – A Case Study from the Eastern Caribbean

Ramos‐Scharrón, Carlos E.; Amador, Juan M.; Hernández-Delgado, Edwin A.

doi:10.5772/35709

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…At a local scale, land-based stressors represent a major threat to near-shore coral reefs in the Caribbean region. These land-based stressors are mostly related to increasing trends of land-use changes, coastal urban sprawl and tourism-based activities with direct effects on sedimentladen runoff and sediment distribution along coastal waters (Rogers, 1990;Larsen and Webb, 2009;Hernández-Delgado et al, 2012;Ramos-Scharrón et al, 2012, 2015Bégin et al, 2013). This is particularly true for small tropical semi-arid islands, where an alteration of sediment delivery and distribution dynamics along near-shore reef ecosystem has been documented as a result of watershed alteration combined with changes in local weather patterns (Otaño-Cruz et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Live coral cover decline across the Caribbean region has been partly attributed to increased sediment delivery to coastal waters after storms and heavy rainfall events, as a consequence of coastal watershed alteration and unsustainable development trends (Ramos-Scharrón and MacDonald, 2007;, 2014bRamos-Scharrón et al, 2012;Sturm et al, 2014). At a broader spatial scale, the combined effects of chronic anthropogenic stressor impacts, such as declining water quality due to increased land-based source of pollution (LBSP), reduction in grazing due to overfishing and changing climate (e.g., change in rainfall patterns), have contributed to near-shore coral reef ecosystem degradation (Miller et al, 2009;Hernández-Pacheco et al, 2011;Edmunds, 2013;Jackson et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Caribbean Near-Shore Coral Reef Benthic Community Response to Changes on Sedimentation Dynamics and Environmental Conditions

et al. 2019

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Coral reefs are facing unprecedented global, regional and local threats that continue to degrade near-shore habitats. Water quality degradation, due to unsustainable development practices at coastal watersheds, is one of the greatest stressors across multiple spatial scales. The goal of this study was to assess near-shore coral reef benthic community spatio-temporal response to sedimentation patterns, weather, and oceanographic dynamics at Bahía Tamarindo and Punta Soldado in Culebra Island, Puerto Rico. Benthic data were collected across a distance gradient from the shore through high-resolution images at marked belt transects. Environmental data were assessed and contrasted with benthic assemblages using multivariate correlations and multiple linear regression. Coral colony abundance and coral recruit assemblages showed significant variation among seasons, sites and distance zones (PERMANOVA, p < 0.01). Species diversity (H'n) increased at both study sites with distance from shore, and the most conspicuous coral recruit species were stress-tolerant Porites astreoides, P. porites, and Siderastrea radians. Difference in coral abundance and coral recruits per site had a strong significant negative relationship with sediment characteristics and depth (p < 0.05). Near-shore coral reef benthic community structure was significantly different between sites and distance zones from shore, with depth having an important role in shaping reef zonation. Changes in benthic community structure were associated with local sediment distribution patterns emerging from human alteration of coastal watersheds and natural events that cause terrigenous sediment deposition and sand resuspension across the reef. Coral cover was significantly lower at zones more exposed to recurrent sedimentation stress (p < 0.01). It was also correlated with sediment texture (p = 0.006) and terrigenous sediment deposition (p = 0.016). Scleractinian coral Frontiers in Marine Science | www.frontiersin.org September 2019 | Volume 6 | Article 551Otaño-Cruz et al.Coral Reef Response to Sedimentation Dynamics cover had an inverse relationship with gorgonian and macroalgae cover. In a short-term period, a pattern of increased dominance of encrusting calcareous algae Ramicrusta textilis and invasive sponge Dictyonella funicularis were documented. Changing land use and increased frequency of extreme weather events, as a consequence of global patterns of climate change, may play an important role shaping near-shore coral reefs benthic communities and could threaten the resilience of coastal regions. Therefore, collaborative and trans-disciplinary ecosystem-based management efforts are urgently needed to effectively reduce land-based stressors and foster near-shore coral reef recovery.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Caribbean Near-Shore Coral Reef Benthic Community Response to Changes on Sedimentation Dynamics and Environmental Conditions

et al. 2019

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“…The threats associated to unsustainable development of coastal watersheds are prompted by the increasing trend of urban expansion, deforestation, and exposure of bare soil, that increases the potential of soil erosion and sediment-laden runoff during pulse rainfall episodes (López et al, 1998;Fu et al, 2010;Ramos-Scharrón et al, 2012, 2015. Other persistent threats are caused by tourism-related activities at sensitive areas and steep slopes which are highly prone to erosion (Nemeth and Sladek, 2001;Hernández-Delgado et al, 2012, 2014a.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Trends of unsustainable urban sprawl and deforestation at sensitive coastal areas, such as arid steep slopes, increase watersheds' vulnerability to erosion during extreme rainfall episodes (Nemeth and Sladek, 2001;Hernández-Delgado et al, 2012, 2014aRamos-Scharrón et al, 2012;Gellis, 2013;Edmunds and Gray, 2014). Sediment yield and influx from arid coastal watersheds into marine ecosystems vary in response to the watershed's catchment size, slope, land use patterns, and local rainfall volume and intensity (Rogers, 1990;Ramos-Scharrón and MacDonald, 2007;Rodrigues et al, 2013;Browning et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, an increasing trend of unsustainable development, alteration of coastal watersheds, and bare soil exposure have increased sediment delivery to Culebra's coastal waters during heavy rainfall events and have caused a live coral cover decline Hernández-Delgado et al, 2014a). The susceptibility of soil erosion by storm water runoff is aggravated by a general lack of appropriate sediment erosion control practices, the extension of dirt roads network, and the deforestation of coastal buffer zones (Ramos-Scharrón and MacDonald, 2007;Hernández-Delgado et al, 2011, 2014aRamos-Scharrón et al, 2012;Sturm et al, 2014). At the same time, an increase in popularity of Culebra Island beaches has intensified the use of coastal areas by increasing vehicle traffic (Hernández-Delgado et al, 2014a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2017

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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 Otaño-Cruz et al.Sedimentation Dynamics Along Near-Shore Reefs 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.

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Los arrecifes de coral con craters-bomba en Puerto Rico, la historia no contada sobre un hábitat inusual: desde la destrucción de arrecifes hasta la rehabilitación ecológica basada en la comunidad

Hernández-Delgado¹,

Montañez-Acuña²,

Otaño-Cruz³

et al. 2014

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Ecological impacts of military bombing activities in Puerto Rico have often been described as minimal, with recurrent allegations of confounding effects by hurricanes, coral diseases and local anthropogenic stressors. Reef craters, though isolated, are associated with major colony fragmentation and framework pulverization, with a net permanent loss of reef bio-construction. In contrast, adjacent non-bombarded reef sections have significantly higher benthic spatial relief and biodiversity. We compared benthic communities on 35-50 year-old bomb-cratered coral reefs at Culebra and Vieques Islands, with adjacent non-impacted sites; 2) coral recruit density and fish community structure within and outside craters; and 3) early effects of a rehabilitation effort using low-tech Staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis farming. Reef craters ranged in size from approximately 50 to 400m 2 and were largely dominated by heavily fragmented, flattened benthos, with coral cover usually below 2% and dominance by non-reef building taxa (i.e., filamentous algal turfs, macroalgae). Benthic spatial heterogeneity was lower within craters which also resulted in a lowered functional value as fish nursery ground. Fish species richness, abundance and biomass, and coral recruit density were lower within craters. Low-tech, community-based approaches to culture, harvest and transplant A. cervicornis into formerly bombarded grounds have proved successful in increasing percent coral cover, benthic spatial heterogeneity, and helping rehabilitate nursery ground functions. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (Suppl. 3): 183-200. Epub 2014 September 01.

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An Interdisciplinary Erosion Mitigation Approach for Coral Reef Protection – A Case Study from the Eastern Caribbean

Cited by 5 publications

References 51 publications

Caribbean Near-Shore Coral Reef Benthic Community Response to Changes on Sedimentation Dynamics and Environmental Conditions

Caribbean Near-Shore Coral Reef Benthic Community Response to Changes on Sedimentation Dynamics and Environmental Conditions

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

Los arrecifes de coral con craters-bomba en Puerto Rico, la historia no contada sobre un hábitat inusual: desde la destrucción de arrecifes hasta la rehabilitación ecológica basada en la comunidad

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