Experimental studies of factors affecting coral recruitment in La Parguera, Puerto Rico

Acropora, Coral, Ecology, Larvae, Spawning

Author: 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.…

Genetic variability of Acropora cervicornis and A. palmata in Puerto Rico

Acropora, Coral, Genetics

Author: 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…

Selective monitoring of Puerto Rican coral reefs

Benthic, Bleaching, Coral, Ecology, Fish, Invertebrates, Management, Monitoring

Author: Edwin A. Hernandez, Ph.D. Institution: University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras – Biology Department Year: 2006 This project is aimed at obtaining the spatial and temporal synoptic understanding of coral reef health and the factors affecting it through repeated assessments at a subset of previously characterized permanent transects using standardized techniques. In contrast to previous assessments, however,…

Cyanobacterial blooms on coral reefs and algal epizoic growth on corals in Southwest Puerto Rico

Benthic, Bloom, Conservation, Coral, Disease, Ecology, Microbiology, Monitoring, Water quality

Author: David L. Ballantine, Ph.D. Institution: University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Year: 2006 One of the recently recognized threats to coral reef health is overgrowth by macroscopic algae. Algal blooms are becoming increasingly widespread on a worldwide scale with the phenomenon involving both geographical expansion and increased biomass. Virtually all macroalgal blooms appear to be initiated by nutrient…