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SCLERACTINIAN CORAL COMMUNITY DEMOGRAPHICS AND RECRUITMENT PATTERNS IN SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
Title
SCLERACTINIAN CORAL COMMUNITY DEMOGRAPHICS AND RECRUITMENT PATTERNS IN SOUTHEAST FLORIDA.
Creator
Haymaker, Caroline, Voss, Joshua D., Florida Atlantic University, Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description
Quantifying and understanding coral community dynamics, including recruitment, is critical for developing effective ecosystem management strategies, particularly in areas that have experienced significant coral losses such as Southeast Florida’s Kristin Jacobs Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area. While several federal, state, and regional efforts effectively track annual changes in juvenile and adult coral colonies, few coral reef monitoring programs are designed to track new coral...
Show moreQuantifying and understanding coral community dynamics, including recruitment, is critical for developing effective ecosystem management strategies, particularly in areas that have experienced significant coral losses such as Southeast Florida’s Kristin Jacobs Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area. While several federal, state, and regional efforts effectively track annual changes in juvenile and adult coral colonies, few coral reef monitoring programs are designed to track new coral recruitment. This study’s aims were to assess potential differences in community composition of adult and recruit stony corals in southeast Florida using phototransects, and to test the efficacy of eDNA approaches for monitoring coral recruitment. Replicate phototransects demonstrated significant differences in recruit density and community composition across sites. This photogrammetry approach was more applicable than eDNA and indicates that site specific management and restoration strategies in a regional context may be warranted for the study area.
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Date Issued
2022
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013946
Subject Headings
Corals--Florida, Scleractinia, Coral communities, Photogrammetry
Format
Document (PDF)
Sipunculans associated with coral communities
Title
Sipunculans associated with coral communities.
Creator
Rice, M. E., Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Date Issued
1976
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00007092
Subject Headings
Sipuncula, Coral communities, Sipunculans, Mutualism (Biology)
Format
Document (PDF)
The molluscan community associated with the scleractinian coral Oculina varicosa
Title
The molluscan community associated with the scleractinian coral Oculina varicosa.
Creator
Reed, John K., Mikkelsen, Paula M.
Date Issued
1987
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/3172767
Subject Headings
Scleractinia, Mollusks, Invertebrate communities, Symbiosis, Corals
Format
Document (PDF)
Grazing effects of herbivorous fishes and juvenile green turtles (Chelonia Mydas) on macroalgal communities
Title
Grazing effects of herbivorous fishes and juvenile green turtles (Chelonia Mydas) on macroalgal communities.
Creator
Holloway-Adkins, Karen G., Hanisak, M. Dennis, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description
The impact of grazers on the primary production of marine ecosystems has largely been explored in tropical environments. A number of studies support theories on the functional importance of grazers in the community structure of coral reefs. However, large-bodied grazers, like juvenile green turtles, co-occur with herbivorous fishes in subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world and we know little about their combined impact on macroalgal communities and whether they compete for...
Show moreThe impact of grazers on the primary production of marine ecosystems has largely been explored in tropical environments. A number of studies support theories on the functional importance of grazers in the community structure of coral reefs. However, large-bodied grazers, like juvenile green turtles, co-occur with herbivorous fishes in subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world and we know little about their combined impact on macroalgal communities and whether they compete for macroalgal resources. My dissertation research was composed of four studies that were conducted simultaneously to further our understanding of plant/herbivore interactions in marine ecosystems. Studies were conducted at the Trident Basin, a non-public military facility within the Port Canaveral Inlet at Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA. The macroalgal study (Chapter 1), determined the spatial and temporal distribution of the macroalgal community. The foraging habits of juvenile green turtles were compared with the macroalgal abundance within the Basin and over time (Chapter 2). Selection ‘for’ specific macroalgal species (based on their availability in the macroalgae study) was used to determine the level of overlap and/or partitioning of resources among herbivorous fishes and juvenile green turtles (Chapter 3). The final empirical study (Chapter 4) measured the impact on thallus height, diameter and/or branching of macroalgae as well as the macroalgal community composition from caging experiments that excluded herbivorous fishes and juvenile green turtles. The algal community was predominantly composed of nine red and green macroalgal species that were persistent year-round. Grazer-resistant macroalgae were rarely observed. Green turtles foraged on many of these same macroalgae but also opportunistically foraged on flotsam, including anthropogenic debris (e.g., plastic). The gut content of the major herbivorous fishes in the community (Abudefduf saxatilis, Archosargus probatocephalus, Diplodus holbrooki, and Lagodon rhomboides) foraged as omnivores depending on where they were captured within the Basin area or their size. All herbivores showed selection for less abundant green algae (i.e., Ulva spp.). Results of the exclusion of juvenile green turtles and large herbivorous fishes in caging experiments suggest that grazing by these large-bodied herbivores had no impact on the composition of the macroalgal community and little impact on the morphological structure of the macroalgal species that were examined. Collectively these four studies contribute to a better understanding of how multiple grazers have evolved to forage in macroalgal communities without detrimental effects on their food resources.
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Date Issued
2014
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004123, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004123
Subject Headings
Algal communities -- Physiology, Coral reef ecology, Herbivores -- Ecology, Sustainable agriculture
Format
Document (PDF)
Tropical crustose coralline algal community and individual growth responses to light and elevated pCO2
Title
Tropical crustose coralline algal community and individual growth responses to light and elevated pCO2.
Creator
Dutra, Elizabeth A., Koch, Marguerite, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description
Crustose coralline algae (CCA) are important reef stabilizers and their susceptibility to anthropogenic climate change and ocean acidification (OA) is of concern. Ocean acidification effects on benthic algal communities were determined by the response of CCA, fleshy macroalgae and microalgae to the interaction of pCO2 and light. I examined if elevated pCO2 and light influences CCA dominance by assessing their growth, recruitment and calcification. Elevated pCO2 under natural reef diurnal CO2...
Show moreCrustose coralline algae (CCA) are important reef stabilizers and their susceptibility to anthropogenic climate change and ocean acidification (OA) is of concern. Ocean acidification effects on benthic algal communities were determined by the response of CCA, fleshy macroalgae and microalgae to the interaction of pCO2 and light. I examined if elevated pCO2 and light influences CCA dominance by assessing their growth, recruitment and calcification. Elevated pCO2 under natural reef diurnal CO2 cycles did not significantly affect CCA percent cover, calcification rates or survival of adult CCA lobes. No significant community pCO2 effects were observed, rather light controlled dominance. The percent cover of microalgae increased in highlight, while CCA increased in the shade. My results indicate that algal response to irradiance is a more significant driver of reef benthic algal change than pCO2 levels predicted for 2100; however, this conclusion should be corroborated in longer-term and in field experiments.
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Date Issued
2015
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004365, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004365
Subject Headings
Marine algae, Algal communities--Monitoring, Coral reef ecology
Format
Document (PDF)
Phosphorus limitation in reef macroalgae of South Florida
Title
Phosphorus limitation in reef macroalgae of South Florida.
Creator
Kehler, Courtney., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies
Abstract/Description
Nitrogen (N) has traditionally been regarded as the primary limiting nutrient to algal growth in marine coastal waters, but recent studies suggest that phosphorus (P) can be limiting in carbonate-rich environments. To better understand the importance of P. alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) was measured in reef macroalgae in seven counties of south Florida ; several significant trends emerged : 1) APA decreased geographically from the highest values in Dada>Monroe>Palm Beach>St. Lucie...
Show moreNitrogen (N) has traditionally been regarded as the primary limiting nutrient to algal growth in marine coastal waters, but recent studies suggest that phosphorus (P) can be limiting in carbonate-rich environments. To better understand the importance of P. alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) was measured in reef macroalgae in seven counties of south Florida ; several significant trends emerged : 1) APA decreased geographically from the highest values in Dada>Monroe>Palm Beach>St. Lucie>Broward>Martin>Lee counties 2) APA varied temporally with increasing nutrient-rich runoff in the wet season 3) APA varied due to taxonomic division Phaeophyta>Rhodophyta>Chlorophyta 4) Nutrient enrichment experiments demonstrated that increased N-enrichment enhanced P-limitation while increased P decreased P-limitation. These results suggest that high APA observed in carbonate-rich waters of Dade County and low APA in Broward County resulted from high nutrient inputs associated with anthropogenic nutrient pollution.
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Date Issued
2012
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3358598
Subject Headings
Nitrogen, Environmental aspects, Coral reef ecology, Coral reef biology, Marine algae, Physiology, Algal communities, Physiology
Format
Document (PDF)
Characterization of the Mesophotic Benthic Habitat and Fish Assemblagesfrom ROV Dives on Pulley Ridge and Tortugas during 2012 and 2013 R/V Walton SmithCruises
Title
Characterization of the Mesophotic Benthic Habitat and Fish Assemblagesfrom ROV Dives on Pulley Ridge and Tortugas during 2012 and 2013 R/V Walton SmithCruises.
Creator
Farrington, Stephanie, Reed, John K., Moe, Heather, Harter, Stacey, Hanisak, M. Dennis, David, Andrew, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Date Issued
2014
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00007508
Subject Headings
Pulley Ridge, Dry Tortugas (Fla.), Underwater exploration, Benthos Habitat, Coral communities, Fish populations
Format
Document (PDF)
Macroalgal overgrowth of fringing coral reefs at Discovery Bay, Jamaica: bottom-up versus top-down control
Title
Macroalgal overgrowth of fringing coral reefs at Discovery Bay, Jamaica: bottom-up versus top-down control.
Creator
Lapointe, Brian E., Littler, Mark M., Littler, Diane S.
Date Issued
1997
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00007034
Subject Headings
Jamaica, Coral reefs and islands, Algal communities, Eutrophication, Algae--Control
Format
Document (PDF)
South Atlantic MPAs and deepwater coral HAPCs: Characterization of benthic habitat, benthic macrobiota, and fish communities; NOAA Ship Nancy Foster 2014 cruise. NOAA CIOERT Report
Title
South Atlantic MPAs and deepwater coral HAPCs: Characterization of benthic habitat, benthic macrobiota, and fish communities; NOAA Ship Nancy Foster 2014 cruise. NOAA CIOERT Report.
Creator
Reed, John K., Farrington, Stephanie, Harter, Stacey, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Date Issued
2015
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00007515
Subject Headings
Marine parks and reserves, Deep sea corals, Benthos Habitat, Fish communities
Format
Document (PDF)
Ocean Acidification Effects on Photosynthesis in Tropical Marine Macroalgae
Title
Ocean Acidification Effects on Photosynthesis in Tropical Marine Macroalgae.
Creator
Zweng, Regina C., Koch, Marguerite, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description
Field data from CO2 vents, a current model of future ocean acidification conditions, show a positive correlation between elevated seawater pCO2 and fleshy macroalgal abundance, as well as a negative correlation between elevated seawater pCO2 and calcareous macroalgal abundance on coral reefs. One underlying physiological mechanism for increases of fleshy macroalgae species in response to greater pCO2 could be an increase in their photosynthesis. Furthermore, inorganic carbon use mechanisms,...
Show moreField data from CO2 vents, a current model of future ocean acidification conditions, show a positive correlation between elevated seawater pCO2 and fleshy macroalgal abundance, as well as a negative correlation between elevated seawater pCO2 and calcareous macroalgal abundance on coral reefs. One underlying physiological mechanism for increases of fleshy macroalgae species in response to greater pCO2 could be an increase in their photosynthesis. Furthermore, inorganic carbon use mechanisms, irradiance and depth may influence species-specific responses to ocean acidification. Therefore, this thesis aimed to discern carbon use strategies and photosynthetic responses to elevated pCO2 of dominant tropical fleshy and calcareous macroalgae. All species studied were able to utilize HCO3 - for photosynthesis. 33% of calcifying macroalgae and 80% of fleshy macroalgae had increased photosynthetic rates in response to lower pH. Thus, future conditions of OA may perpetuate or exacerbate the abundance of fleshy seaweeds at the expense of calcareous species.
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Date Issued
2017
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004879, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004879
Subject Headings
Marine algae--Ecophysiology., Algal communities--Monitoriing., Coral reef ecology.
Format
Document (PDF)
South Atlantic MPAs and deepwater coral HAPCs: Characterization of fish communities, benthic habitat, and benthic macrobiota. Final Report for 2012-2014 NOAA Cruises. A NOAA CIOERT Report
Title
South Atlantic MPAs and deepwater coral HAPCs: Characterization of fish communities, benthic habitat, and benthic macrobiota. Final Report for 2012-2014 NOAA Cruises. A NOAA CIOERT Report.
Creator
Harter, Stacey, Reed, John K., Farrington, Stephanie, David, Andrew, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Date Issued
2015
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00007516
Subject Headings
Marine parks and reserves, Deep sea corals, Benthos Habitat, Fish communities, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (U.S.)
Format
Document (PDF)