Grantee Research Project Results
2001 Progress Report: Foraminifera as Ecosystem Indicators: Phase 1. A Marine Benthic Perturbation Index; Phase 2. Bioassay Protocols
EPA Grant Number: R825869Title: Foraminifera as Ecosystem Indicators: Phase 1. A Marine Benthic Perturbation Index; Phase 2. Bioassay Protocols
Investigators: Muller, Pamela Hallock
Institution: University of South Florida
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: October 1, 1997 through September 30, 2002
Project Period Covered by this Report: October 1, 2000 through September 30, 2001
Project Amount: $295,043
RFA: Ecosystem Indicators (1997) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , Aquatic Ecosystems
Objective:
Foraminifera are by far the most useful group of paleoenvironmental indicators utilized by geoscientists because: (1) their shells are important sediment constituents; (2) they are small and widely abundant; (3) different taxa have evolved to exploit most environments, substrates and nutritional modes in marine systems; and (4) their shells morphologically and geochemically record environmental conditions. This project developed techniques and protocols for routine use of reef-dwelling foraminifera as bioindicators in field and laboratory settings. In Phase 1, three assessment methods were developed and a single-metric index for assessing decline of reef ecosystems, which is based on changes in key taxa of foraminifera, was tested. This technique provides an index for assessing how reef communities have changed under human influence as compared to the natural variability in pre-anthropogenic times or in unaffected areas. In Phase 2, we developed and tested protocols for using foraminifera in laboratory studies of the effects of key stressors in reef environments, particularly bleaching resulting from light and temperature stress.Progress Summary:
Phase 1. Foraminifera as Bioindicators of Benthic Environments. Three techniques have been developed to assess reef condition. The FORAM Index is a single-metric index for general reef condition (scale of months to years) based on total foraminiferal assemblages, which was assessed using EPA Evaluation Guidelines for Ecological Indicators. A CD has been created to support use of the FORAM Index on western Atlantic and Caribbean reefs. The CD provides a library of key taxa and references. A second technique based on reef sediments is designed to assess general condition (scale of years) of reef ecosystems relative to community structure and bioerosion. A third procedure assesses present reef condition (weeks to months) using densities of live Amphistegina, which are the most common larger foraminifera on reefs worldwide.The research of three graduate students?T.L. Dix, H. Crevison, and D.E. Williams?has contributed to this effort. Dix's dissertation examined the distribution of foraminifera in Tampa Bay, demonstrated the effective use of sediment cores in comparing present and pre-anthropogenic conditions, and used stratified sampling to determine foraminiferal responses to ongoing environmental stressors. Three papers will be submitted for publication from this dissertation. Crevison's thesis, involving analyses of foraminiferal assemblages from short sediment cores from the Florida Keys reef tract, indicated that sediment mixing by bioturbation and storms is too intense to yield a record in open shelf sediments, demonstrating the need to target core samples in more energy-restricted environments such as Florida Bay. One publication from this thesis is anticipated. Williams' provides detailed assessment of an 8-year monitoring study of Amphistegina populations in the Florida Keys, which has contributed to efforts under both Phase 1 and Phase 2 (see below). Two papers relating to Phase 1 will be submitted for publication.
Phase 2. Bioassay Protocols. Amphistegina spp. are the most common
reef-dwelling foraminifera with algal endosymbionts worldwide, providing
a model "calcifying symbiosis" for testing stressors that threaten the
ecological integrity of coral-reef ecosystems. Known stressors include
temperature stress, salinity change, and increasing UV-B radiation associated
with ozone depletion. We have developed protocols for assessing visual,
physiological, and cytological responses for routine assessment of field
populations and laboratory experiments. The research of three graduate
students?H.K. Talge, D.E. Williams, and K. Toler Strawn?has contributed to this
effort. Talge's provided cytological verification of visual assessment
procedures, and demonstrated that visible symbiont loss in laboratory-stressed
specimens is statistically identical cytologically to symbiont loss in field
specimens. Three papers from this dissertation are anticipated. Williams'
laboratory experiments verified that exposure to elevated intensities of PAR-PFD
(400-700 nm), either alone or in combination with added UVB (280-320 nm),
induces symbiont loss in Amphistegina gibbosa. Williams also demonstrated that
blue light induces more symbiont loss than lower-energy white light at equal PAR
PFD. One manuscript will be submitted on these experiments. Toler Strawn's
research indicated that anomalous shell damage is a secondary symptom in
bleaching-stressed foraminifera and has potential for providing evidence
of bleaching events in the fossil record. Two papers have been published from this research to date.
Future Activities:
Goals for the no-cost extension year include distribution of the CD to potential user-groups, submitting papers from theses and dissertations for publication in refereed journals, conducting experiments to determine if differences in symbiont taxa affect bleaching response, and preparation and submission of methods and synthesis manuscripts.Journal Articles on this Report : 7 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 62 publications | 14 publications in selected types | All 10 journal articles |
---|
Type | Citation | ||
---|---|---|---|
|
Fujita K, Hallock P. A comparison of phytal substrate preferences of Archaias angulatus and Sorites orbiculus in mixed macroalgal-seagrass beds in Florida Bay. Journal of Foraminiferal Research 1999;29(2):143-151. |
R825869 (1999) R825869 (2000) R825869 (2001) R825869 (Final) |
Exit Exit |
|
Hallock P. Symbiont-bearing foraminifera: harbingers of global change. Micropaleontology 2000;46(Suppl 1):95-104. |
R825869 (1999) R825869 (2000) R825869 (2001) R825869 (Final) |
Exit Exit |
|
Hallock P, Lidz BH, Cockey-Burkhard EM, Donnelly KB. Foraminifera as bioindicators in coral reef assessment and monitoring: the FORAM Index. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 2003;81(1-3):221-238. |
R825869 (2001) R825869 (Final) |
Exit |
|
Holzmann M, Hohenegger J, Hallock P, Piller WE, Pawlowski J. Molecular phylogeny of large miliolid foraminifera (Soritacea Ehrenberg 1839). Marine Micropaleontology 2001;43(1-2):57-74. |
R825869 (2000) R825869 (2001) R825869 (Final) |
Exit Exit |
|
Lidz BH, Hallock P. Sedimentary petrology of a declining reef ecosystem, Florida reef tract (U.S.A.). Journal of Coastal Research 2000;16(3):675-697. |
R825869 (2001) R825869 (Final) |
Exit |
|
Pawlowski J, Holzmann M, Fahrni JF, Hallock P. Molecular identification of algal endosymbionts in large miliolid foraminifera: 1. Chlorophytes. Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology 2001;48(3):362-367. |
R825869 (2000) R825869 (2001) R825869 (Final) |
Exit Exit Exit |
|
Toler SK, Hallock P, Schijf J. Mg/Ca ratios in stressed foraminifera, Amphistegina gibbosa, from the Florida Keys. Marine Micropaleontology 2001;43(3-4):199-206. |
R825869 (2001) R825869 (Final) |
Exit Exit |
Supplemental Keywords:
coral reefs, foraminifera, Florida Keys, ATP analysis, IBI, cytology, UV radiation., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Hydrology, Ecology, exploratory research environmental biology, Environmental Chemistry, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecosystem Protection, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecological Indicators, anthropogenic stresses, foraminifera, marine ecosystem, ecological exposure, coral reefs, stressors, algae, benthic biota, soil, ecosystem indicators, aquatic ecosystemsRelevant Websites:
http://www.marine.usf.edu/reefslab
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.