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Assessment of coral reefs using herbivory/nutrient assays and indicator groups of benthic primary producers: a critical synthesis, proposed protocols, and critique of management strategies
Title
Assessment of coral reefs using herbivory/nutrient assays and indicator groups of benthic primary producers: a critical synthesis, proposed protocols, and critique of management strategies.
Creator
Littler, Mark M., Littler, Diane S., Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Date Issued
2006
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/3174117
Subject Headings
Coral reef ecology, Reefs, Coral
Format
Document (PDF)
Living stromatolites, built by the cyanobacterium Schizothrix gebeleinii, form enduring modern reef structures
Title
Living stromatolites, built by the cyanobacterium Schizothrix gebeleinii, form enduring modern reef structures.
Creator
Littler, Mark M., Littler, Diane S., Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Date Issued
2001
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/2783216
Subject Headings
Stromatolites, Coral reef --ecology
Format
Document (PDF)
Marine ornamental shrimp:status and prospects
Title
Marine ornamental shrimp:status and prospects.
Creator
Lin, Junda, Zhang, Dong, Creswell, R. LeRoy, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Date Issued
1999
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00007315
Subject Headings
Ornamental shrimps, Coral reef ecology
Format
Document (PDF)
FOOD WEB MODELING TO ASSESS INTERACTIONS BETWEEN ARTIFICIAL REEFS AND NATURAL REEFS
Title
FOOD WEB MODELING TO ASSESS INTERACTIONS BETWEEN ARTIFICIAL REEFS AND NATURAL REEFS.
Creator
McNamee, Elizabeth A., Hughes, Colin, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Environmental Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description
The effect of artificial reefs on natural reefs is poorly understood. This study focused on Aquarius Reef Base (ARB), an underwater habitat offshore of Key Largo, Florida, and 14 natural reef sites spanning 4 habitats, on the surrounding Conch Reef. Food web models were created for ARB and natural reef habitats. Biomass at each habitat was quantified by fish surveys. Using Ecopath, species were organized into functional groups with supporting data from previous research for other inputs. ARB...
Show moreThe effect of artificial reefs on natural reefs is poorly understood. This study focused on Aquarius Reef Base (ARB), an underwater habitat offshore of Key Largo, Florida, and 14 natural reef sites spanning 4 habitats, on the surrounding Conch Reef. Food web models were created for ARB and natural reef habitats. Biomass at each habitat was quantified by fish surveys. Using Ecopath, species were organized into functional groups with supporting data from previous research for other inputs. ARB’s food web was found to have a large predator biomass with insufficient prey biomass to sustain the population, suggesting that these predators must forage on nearby natural reefs where the predator/prey ratio is smaller. Between 0.57km2 and 1.79km2 of natural reef is estimated to be a sufficient spatial subsidy for the large predatory biomass at ARB when the biomass is added as determined by the seascape around the artificial reef.
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Date Issued
2021
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013798
Subject Headings
Artificial reefs, Coral reefs, Food chains (Ecology)
Format
Document (PDF)
EVALUATING THE EFFECT OF THERMAL ANOMALIES ON CORAL REEF BENTHIC COMPETITIVE INTERACTIONS
Title
EVALUATING THE EFFECT OF THERMAL ANOMALIES ON CORAL REEF BENTHIC COMPETITIVE INTERACTIONS.
Creator
Spagnolia, Christopher T., Chaves-Fonnegra, Andia, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Marine Science and Oceanography, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description
Climate change has intensified thermal anomalies in coral reef ecosystems, contributing to coral bleaching and decline. As corals die, reef fragmentation increases, and species interactions in the benthos change. However, it is unclear which competitive interactions may prevail and structure future reef ecosystems. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the effect of thermal anomalies on coral reef benthic competitive interactions. Photoquadrats in southeast Florida reef sites were assessed...
Show moreClimate change has intensified thermal anomalies in coral reef ecosystems, contributing to coral bleaching and decline. As corals die, reef fragmentation increases, and species interactions in the benthos change. However, it is unclear which competitive interactions may prevail and structure future reef ecosystems. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the effect of thermal anomalies on coral reef benthic competitive interactions. Photoquadrats in southeast Florida reef sites were assessed over 15-years to generate interaction metrics and determine effects on hard coral survivorship. A state-transition model was created to predict the resultant community across 100 years with thermal scenarios concordant with the IPCC RCP 4.5 and 8.5. Interaction doubled across three thermal anomaly events and ended up mainly composed of pairwise examples between Dictyota, Halimeda, Niphates erecta, and Erythropodium caribaeorum. Century projections confirm that soft coral and sponge interactions will increase through thermal anomalies. The survival of hard corals was more successful when colonies were in permanent or intermittent interactions than when colonies were solitary (indirect interactions). Living hard corals were mostly found interacting with the macroalgae, Dictyota, and sponge Aplysina cauliformis, while corals that died were mainly in interactions with the soft coral E. caribaeorum, and sponges N. erecta, C. delitrix, D. anchorata, and Ircinia campana. Future reefs will be composed of more interactions between soft corals and sponges as thermal anomalies intensify, which will result in a patchier and flatter community.
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Date Issued
2023
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014257
Subject Headings
Coral reef ecology, Climate change, Benthic ecology
Format
Document (PDF)
Temporal analysis of gene expression in a field population of the Scleractinian coral Montastraea faveolata
Title
Temporal analysis of gene expression in a field population of the Scleractinian coral Montastraea faveolata.
Creator
Edge,Sara E., Morgan, Michael B., Snell, Terry W., Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Date Issued
2008-02-22
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/1745597
Subject Headings
Coral reef biology, Coral reef ecology, Coral reef ecology --Florida --Florida Keys, Gene Expression
Format
Document (PDF)
Ecology and nutrition of invasive Caulerpa brachypus f. parvifolia blooms on coral reefs off southeast Florida, U.S.A.
Title
Ecology and nutrition of invasive Caulerpa brachypus f. parvifolia blooms on coral reefs off southeast Florida, U.S.A.
Creator
Lapointe, Brian E., Bedford, Bradley J.
Date Issued
2010-01
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/1925499
Subject Headings
Coral reef ecology --Florida --Florida Keys, Coral reef ecology, Coral reef biology, Algal blooms, Algae Toxicology
Format
Document (PDF)
Deep-water Oculina coral reefs of Florida: biology, impacts and management
Title
Deep-water Oculina coral reefs of Florida: biology, impacts and management.
Creator
Reed, John K.
Date Issued
2002
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/2783223
Subject Headings
Coral reef ecology --Florida, Coral reef ecology --Research --Florida, Coral reef management --United States, Coral reef biology --Florida, Coral reefs and islands --Florida
Format
Document (PDF)
Carbonate sediment production by the rock-boring urchin Echinometra lucunter and associated endolithic infauna at Black Rock, Little Bahama Bank
Title
Carbonate sediment production by the rock-boring urchin Echinometra lucunter and associated endolithic infauna at Black Rock, Little Bahama Bank.
Creator
Hoskin, Charles M., Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Date Issued
1985
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/3177146
Subject Headings
Coral reef ecology, Echinometra lucunter, Erosion
Format
Document (PDF)
Biological impact caused by changes on a tropical reef
Title
Biological impact caused by changes on a tropical reef.
Creator
Jones, Robert S., Randall, R. H., Wilder, M. J., Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Date Issued
1976
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/3183785
Subject Headings
Coral reef ecology--Guam, Coral reef ecology --Research, Ecology--Research, Effluent (Sewage)
Format
Document (PDF)
Comments on “Trophic structure and productivity of a windward coral reef community on Eniwetok Atoll” [Ecological Monographs 25 (3) (1955) 291–320]
Title
Comments on “Trophic structure and productivity of a windward coral reef community on Eniwetok Atoll” [Ecological Monographs 25 (3) (1955) 291–320].
Creator
Barile, Peter J., Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Date Issued
2004
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/2848322
Subject Headings
Food chains (Ecology), Coral reef ecology, Coral reefs and islands, Coastal ecology, Benthos
Format
Document (PDF)
REEF WARS: MONITORING AND PREDICTING PHASE SHIFTS ON FLORIDA CORAL REEFS
Title
REEF WARS: MONITORING AND PREDICTING PHASE SHIFTS ON FLORIDA CORAL REEFS.
Creator
Conkling, Megan, Pomponi, Shirley A., Hindle, Tobin, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Geosciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description
Reefs off the coast of Florida face threats from stressors associated with climate change which leads to phase shifts. Under rapid climate change, a clear understanding of how reefs and their benthic organisms respond is still lacking and needs to be investigated. Using in situ imagery, a sponge cell model, and long-term benthic biota surveys, the effects of climate change on reef dynamics were explored in this dissertation project. Results from the in situ imagery found that differences in...
Show moreReefs off the coast of Florida face threats from stressors associated with climate change which leads to phase shifts. Under rapid climate change, a clear understanding of how reefs and their benthic organisms respond is still lacking and needs to be investigated. Using in situ imagery, a sponge cell model, and long-term benthic biota surveys, the effects of climate change on reef dynamics were explored in this dissertation project. Results from the in situ imagery found that differences in spectral signatures are found between functional groups (i.e., corals, sponges, and algae) and different species from substrate. Results based on a sponge cell model and transcriptomics data have found a resilience of these sponges to the predicted thermal extremes. Results from benthic biota surveys suggested that depth and light attenuation have the largest influence on the predicted distribution of corals, sponges, and algae at Pulley Ridge. Climate change has been impacting reef benthic biota starting at the organismal scale up to the reef scale. This research demonstrates the importance of monitoring reefs at a finer scale and determining the thresholds and limits of benthic biota to projected thermal extremes to better inform resource managers to preserve these irreplaceable ecosystems.
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Date Issued
2023
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014323
Subject Headings
Reefs--Florida, Climate change, Coral reef ecology
Format
Document (PDF)
Coral reef destruction
Title
Coral reef destruction.
Creator
Lapointe, Brian E.
Date Issued
2000
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00007316
Subject Headings
Coral reef ecology, Coral declines, Nutrient pollution of water
Format
Document (PDF)
Land-based nutrient enrichment of the Buccoo Reef Complex and fringing coral reefs of Tobago, West Indies
Title
Land-based nutrient enrichment of the Buccoo Reef Complex and fringing coral reefs of Tobago, West Indies.
Creator
Lapointe, Brian E., Langton, Richard, Bedford, Bradley J., Potts, Arthur C., Day, Owen, Hu, Chuanmin
Date Issued
2010-03
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/1429256
Subject Headings
Coral reef ecology --West Indies, Coral reef ecology --Research, Eutrophication, Marine pollution
Format
Document (PDF)
Impacts of bottom trawling on a deep-water Oculina coral ecosystem off Florida
Title
Impacts of bottom trawling on a deep-water Oculina coral ecosystem off Florida.
Creator
Reed, John K., Koenig, Christopher C., Shepard, Andrew N.
Date Issued
2007
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/3172092
Subject Headings
Coral reef ecology, Coral reef ecology --Florida, Trawls and trawling --Environmental aspects, Fishing, Oceanographic submersibles
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)
Nematocyst replacement in the sea anemone Aiptasia Pallida following predation by Lysmata Wurdemanni: an inducible defense?
Title
Nematocyst replacement in the sea anemone Aiptasia Pallida following predation by Lysmata Wurdemanni: an inducible defense?.
Creator
Jennings, Lucas, Laramore, Susan E., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description
The sea anemone Aiptasia pallida is a biological model for anthozoan research. Like all cnidarians, A. pallida possesses nematocysts for food capture and defense. Studies have shown that anthozoans, such as corals, can rapidly increase nematocyst concentration when faced with competition or predation, suggesting that nematocyst production may be an induced trait. The potential effects of two types of tissue damage, predator induced (Lysmata wurdemanni) and artificial (forceps), on nematocyst...
Show moreThe sea anemone Aiptasia pallida is a biological model for anthozoan research. Like all cnidarians, A. pallida possesses nematocysts for food capture and defense. Studies have shown that anthozoans, such as corals, can rapidly increase nematocyst concentration when faced with competition or predation, suggesting that nematocyst production may be an induced trait. The potential effects of two types of tissue damage, predator induced (Lysmata wurdemanni) and artificial (forceps), on nematocyst concentration was assessed. Nematocysts were identified by type and size to examine the potential plasticity associated with nematocyst production. While no significant differences were found in defensive nematocyst concentration between shrimp predation treatments versus controls, there was a significant difference in small-sized nematocyst in anemones damaged with forceps. The proportions of the different types of nematocysts between treatment types were also found to be different suggesting that nematocyst production in A. pallida is a plastic trait.
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Date Issued
2014
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004204, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004204
Subject Headings
Coral reef ecology, Marine ecology, Nematocysts, Predation (Biology), Sea anemones
Format
Document (PDF)
Atmospheric nitrogen deposition from a remote source enriches macroalgae in coral reef ecosystems near Green Turtle Cay, Abacos, Bahamas
Title
Atmospheric nitrogen deposition from a remote source enriches macroalgae in coral reef ecosystems near Green Turtle Cay, Abacos, Bahamas.
Creator
Barile, Peter J., Lapointe, Brian E.
Date Issued
2005
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/2827829
Subject Headings
Nitrogen, Atmospheric deposition, Coral reef ecology, Coral reefs and islands, Algae
Format
Document (PDF)
The comparative structure of two western Atlantic reef-fish assemblages
Title
The comparative structure of two western Atlantic reef-fish assemblages.
Creator
Alevizon, W. S., Brooks, M. G., Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Date Issued
1975
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/3174428
Subject Headings
Coral reef fishes, Fish populations, Species diversity, Coral reef ecology, Sponges
Format
Document (PDF)
Free Swimming Soft Robotic Jellyfish with Adaptive Depth Control
Title
Free Swimming Soft Robotic Jellyfish with Adaptive Depth Control.
Creator
Luvisi, Daniel, Engeberg, Erik, Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
Abstract/Description
This thesis is encompasses the design, construction, control and testing of an improvement upon the novel soft robotic Jennifish platform. The advancement of this platform includes the addition of light and depth sensors as well increasing the separation of tentacle groups from two to three sets. The final vehicle model consists nine PneuNetstyle actuators divided into three groups of three, molded around a machined Delrin pressure vessel. With a 12V submersible impellor pump connected to...
Show moreThis thesis is encompasses the design, construction, control and testing of an improvement upon the novel soft robotic Jennifish platform. The advancement of this platform includes the addition of light and depth sensors as well increasing the separation of tentacle groups from two to three sets. The final vehicle model consists nine PneuNetstyle actuators divided into three groups of three, molded around a machined Delrin pressure vessel. With a 12V submersible impellor pump connected to each actuator grouping, propulsion is created by the filling and emptying of these tentacles with surrounding ambient water. The Jellyfish2.0 is capable of omnidirectional lateral movement as well as upward driven motion. The vehicle also has a temperature sensor and IMU as did the previous of this platform. Qualitative free-swimming testing was conducted, recorded and analyzed as well as quantitative inline load cell testing, to create a benchmark for comparison with other jellyfish like robots.
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Date Issued
2019
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013234
Subject Headings
Robotics--Design and construction, Soft robotics, Coral reef ecology, Coral reef monitoring
Format
Document (PDF)

Pages