A multi-site comparison on mesophotic reefs from Mona Island, PR to St. Croix, USVI Sponsor: Caribbean Coral Reef Institute, University of Puerto Rico – Mayagüez Collaboration: NOAA/NCCOS Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research Funding: NOAA Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research Vessel: M/V Spree, a 100-ft commercial dive vessel The Players Richard Appeldoorn- ROV operations and project PI, shallow diver…
DetailsA multi-site comparison on mesophotic reefs from Mona Island, PR to St. Croix, USVI Sponsor: Caribbean Coral Reef Institute, University of Puerto Rico – Mayagüez Collaboration: Cooperative Institute for Ocean Exploration, Research and Technology and the University of North Carolina – Wilmington Funding: NOAA Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research Vessel: M/V Spree, a 100-ft commercial…
DetailsA multi-site comparison on mesophotic reefs from Mona Island, PR to St. Croix, USVI by Orian Tzadik Jan 9th 2010 – We EmbarkLocation: Mayaguez The project we are starting today opens a new page in the exploration of mesophotic coral reef ecosystems. These are systems that exist on the limit of the conventional photosynthetic zone…
DetailsAuthor: Manuel Valdes Pizzini, Ph.D. Institution: University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Year: 2006 This project allowed us to understand the legal, social, economic and policy processes and framework that configure the process of marine protected area (MPA) design, development and implementation in Puerto Rico. The analysis led to the construction of a set of guidelines (in progress) for…
DetailsAuthor: Alina M. Szmant, Ph.D. Institution: Coral Reef Research Group Year: 2006 The CCRI Szmant and Weil research team emphasized the study of spawning, larval culture and settlement-post-settlement processes of the threatened elkhorn coral species, Acropora palmata, as well as several other Caribbean species, including Montastraea cavernosa, M. faveolata, Diploria strigosa and Favia fragum. Large quantities of A.…
DetailsAuthor: Nikolaos Schizas, Ph.D. Institution: University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Year: 2006 Asexually reproducing organisms accumulate deleterious mutations and potentially limit the range of responses when subjected to changing environmental or biotic stresses. In reef-building corals, increased propagation through asexual reproduction will reduce the genetic variability leading to genetically monomorphic coral reefs. Less diverse communities are less resilient…
DetailsAuthor: Michelle T. Schärer, Ph.D. Institution: HJR Reefscaping Year: 2006 The Mona Island Natural Reserve (MINR) was designated in 1986 and is managed by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER). As an isolated island in the middle of a partial biogeographic boundary, healthy coral reef fish communities at Mona are essential both for population…
DetailsAuthor: Jose A. Rivera, Ph.D. Institution: NOAA Fisheries Year: 2006 Located on the west coast, the Cabo Rojo shelf is the widest section of the Puerto Rico (PR) shelf, comprising a diverse mosaic of benthic habitats including well developed deep reefs, at least three known spawning aggregation (SPAG) sites, three of the six federal U.S. Caribbean MPA’s and…
DetailsAuthor: Carlos E. Ramos-Scharrón, Ph.D. Institution: University of Texas, Austin Year: 2006 Many coral reef systems within the U.S. Caribbean are at risk from land-based sources of sediment and this has prompted the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force to encourage local governments to develop erosion control strategies to mitigate the impacts. The lack of quantitative information and proper…
DetailsAuthor: Richard S. LeGore, Ph.D. Institution: LeGore Environmental Associates Inc. Year: 2006 In recent years the collection of tropical marine organisms for the aquarium trade has been perceived as an activity with an unsustainable history as well as obvious potential for rehabilitation through resource-based fisheries management and consumer-oriented product certification. In the case of Puerto Rico, collection of…
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