Relating sediment impacts on coral reefs to watershed sources, processes and management: A review

Bartley, Rebecca; Bainbridge, Zoë; Lewis, Stephen E.; Kroon, Frederieke J.; Wilkinson, Scott N.; Brodie, Jon; Silburn, D. M.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.09.030

Cited by 182 publications

(114 citation statements)

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“…Rogers (1990) validated the link between this sedimentation threshold and corals reef stress signs. In addition, nearshore coral reef degradation and spatial variation in sedimentation patterns have been widely associated with significant changes in land use at adjacent watersheds (Fabricius, 2005;Smith et al, 2008;Storlazzi et al, 2009;Wolanski et al, 2009;Risk and Edinger, 2011;Bartley et al, 2014;Hernández-Delgado et al, 2014a;Bégin et al, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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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“…Such information may provide important tools to help prioritize management actions and reorganize land use following a sustainable land use plan. Preventing anthropogenic sediment reaching nearshore coral reefs requires an improved understanding of the specific characteristics, sources and processes generating the anthropogenic sediment, so that effective watershed management strategies can be implemented (Bartley, Bainbridge, Lewis, Kroon et al, 2014). Therefore, such components need to be incorporated into integrated, multi-disciplinary research and long-term monitoring programs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sub-surface processes and unpaved road erosion are the dominant processes for exporting fine sediments to tropical coastal habitats (MacDonald, Anderson, & Dietrich, 2007). Bartley, Bainbridge, Lewis, Kroon et al (2014) suggested that at least 75% land cover should be maintained to reduce erosion potential. Ramos-Scharrón (2012) recommended improving the effectiveness of drainage on steep roads as another alternative to reduce sediment-loaded runoff.…”

Section: Implications Of Environmental Stress On Coral Reef Conservatmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ramos-Scharrón (2012) recommended improving the effectiveness of drainage on steep roads as another alternative to reduce sediment-loaded runoff. Terrestrial sediments often transported to offshore coral reefs is generally the clay to fine silt (<4-16 μm) fraction, yet there is considerable potential for impacts of other terrestrially derived sediment fractions (<63 μm) to be deposited in shallow, near-shore coral reefs, and remobilized during wind-, tidal-, and wave-driven re-suspension (Bartley, Bainbridge, Lewis, Kroon et al, 2014;Otaño-Cruz, Montañez-Acuña, Torres-López, Herná ndez-Figueroa et al, 2017). Fine-grained and dark-colored sediments at high suspended-sediment concentrations can also significantly attenuate photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) (Storlazzi, Norris, & Rosenberger, 2015).…”

Section: Implications Of Environmental Stress On Coral Reef Conservatmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Unsustainable Land Use, Sediment-Laden Runoff, and Chronic Raw Sewage Offset the Benefits of Coral Reef Ecosystems in a No-Take Marine Protected Area

Hernández-Delgado

Medina-Muniz²,

Mattei

et al. 2017

EMSD

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Unsustainable land uses may result in poor watershed management, increased soil erosion, poorly-planned urban development, increased runoff, and sewage pollution, creating an environmental stress gradient across coastal coral reefs. This study was aimed at: 1) Evaluating water quality within and outside the Canal Luis Peña Natural Reserve (CLPNR), Culebra Island, Puerto Rico; 2) Determining if there was any significant environmental stress gradient associated to land-based non-point source pollution; and 3) Characterizing shallow-water coral reef communities across the gradient. Strong gradient impacts associated

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“…Numerous studies have shown that nutrient enrichment, turbidity, sedimentation, and pesticides all affect the resilience of the GBR ecosystems, degrading coral reefs and seagrass beds at local and regional scales [12,51,64,76,[89][90][91][92][93][94][95]. Contaminants may also interact to have a combined negative effect on reef resilience that is greater than the effect of each contaminant in isolation [96].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Water Quality and River Plume Monitoring in the Great Barrier Reef: An Overview of Methods Based on Ocean Colour Satellite Data

et al. 2015

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A strong driver of water quality change in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is the pulsed or intermittent nature of terrestrial inputs into the GBR lagoon, including delivery of increased loads of sediments, nutrients, and toxicants via flood river plumes (hereafter river plumes) during the wet season. Cumulative pressures from extreme weather with a high frequency of large scale flooding in recent years has been linked to the large scale reported decline in the health of inshore seagrass systems and coral reefs in the central areas of the GBR, with concerns for the recovery potential of these impacted ecosystems. Management authorities currently rely on remotely-sensed (RS) and in situ data for water quality monitoring to guide their assessment of water quality conditions in the GBR. The use of remotely-sensed satellite products provides a quantitative and accessible tool for scientists and managers. These products, coupled with in situ data, and more recently modelled data, are valuable for quantifying the influence of river plumes on seagrass and coral reef habitat in the GBR. This article reviews recent remote sensing techniques developed to monitor river plumes and water quality in the GBR. We also discuss emerging research that integrates hydrodynamic models with remote sensing and in situ OPEN ACCESS Remote Sens. 2015, 7 12910 data, enabling us to explore impacts of different catchment management strategies on GBR water quality.

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Relating sediment impacts on coral reefs to watershed sources, processes and management: A review

Cited by 182 publications

References 154 publications

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

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

Unsustainable Land Use, Sediment-Laden Runoff, and Chronic Raw Sewage Offset the Benefits of Coral Reef Ecosystems in a No-Take Marine Protected Area

Water Quality and River Plume Monitoring in the Great Barrier Reef: An Overview of Methods Based on Ocean Colour Satellite Data

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