Grantee Research Project Results
2000 Progress Report: Integrating Coral Reef Ecosystem Integrity and Restoration Options with Watershed-based activities in the Tropical Pacific Islands and the Societal Costs of Poor Land-use Practices
EPA Grant Number: R828008Title: Integrating Coral Reef Ecosystem Integrity and Restoration Options with Watershed-based activities in the Tropical Pacific Islands and the Societal Costs of Poor Land-use Practices
Investigators: Richmond, Robert H. , Wolanski, Eric , Hamnett, Michael
Current Investigators: Richmond, Robert H. , Hamnett, Michael , Wolanski, Eric
Institution: University of Guam , Australian Institute of Marine Sciences , University of Hawaii at Manoa
Current Institution: University of Guam , University of Hawaii at Honolulu , Australian Institute of Marine Sciences
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: (Extended to July 31, 2004)
Project Period Covered by this Report: January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2001
Project Amount: $795,249
RFA: Water and Watersheds (1999) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Watersheds , Water
Objective:
The objectives of this research project are to:
Characterize watershed discharges that affect coastal reefs chemically, temporally and spatially.
Determine the classes and concentrations of coastal pollutants that are of greatest concern to coral reef sustainability, and provide quantitative data for revising local and regional water quality standards.
Develop techniques that can identify sublethal stress in corals, before outright mortality occurs.
Determine if coral reef recovery and restoration activities are practical after anthropogenic and natural disturbances.
Quantify the cultural and economic impacts of land-based developments that affect coastal resources, and incorporate this information into the decisionmaking process.
Develop educational materials for a variety of users and stakeholders.
Develop a set of recommendations to prevent damage to coral reef ecosystems, and for when damage occurs, mitigation measures that may be undertaken.
Progress Summary:
Coral fertilization and recruitment bioassays were performed during the summer spawning event. Copper inhibited fertilization, and embryological development and larval recruitment were at levels of 100 ppb and below. The experiments revealed the importance of extending endpoints in fertilization bioassays to follow development, survivorship, and recruitment of fertilized eggs. LC50s give an underestimate of overall effects when compared to bioassays that extend across multiple life-history stages. Watershed discharge effects, including impacts of reduced coastal salinity and increased substratum cover by algae were also documented. Techniques for recruitment bioassays using previously identified metamorphic inducers were refined and are being tested for precision. Coral cultivation techniques were further improved and applied to produce additional colonies for bioassays and transplantation/reseeding trials. Current meters were purchased and deployed to gather data on coastal circulation patterns and characterize the extent of freshwater plumes being discharged into reef areas from select watersheds. The first set of circulation models was developed. Contacts were made with the Guam office of the U.S. Geological Survey and the Natural Resources Conservation Service to coordinate collection and use of their data on stream flow and erosion rates.
A workshop was held to set priorities and identify the deliverables that would be of the most value. Several participants of the workshop offered to assist with development of the educational materials which are aimed at transferring the results of the research to the appropriate communities and stakeholder groups. This information was incorporated into the research plan, and there will be a followup later this year.
Coordination among the three project investigators has been going well. Subcontracts were completed with the two partnering institutions, and we purchased most of the necessary equipment. A work plan was developed with the Palau Conservation Society to develop educational materials on watershed characteristics and appropriate land-use practices.
Future Activities:
In the future, we plan to assess the societal costs associated with poor land-use practices, initiate work on the educational materials, and continue characterization of coastal water quality during the dry season and prepare to sample for the rainy season. In addition, we plan to perform biological assessments of the bays under study, continue experiments on the application of biomarkers in corals, and organize the stakeholder participation element.Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 65 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
watersheds, ecological effects, sedimentation, erosion, sensitive populations, cumulative effects, ecosystem, indicators, restoration, decisionmaking, community-based, cost benefit, conservation, Pacific Islands, EPA Region 9., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Geographic Area, Water, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecology, Water & Watershed, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecosystem Protection, Environmental Chemistry, Chemistry, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Wet Weather Flows, Ecological Risk Assessment, International, Watersheds, coastal ecosystem, coral reef ecosystem, anthropogenic processes, water resources, aquatic ecosystem, anthropogenic stress, coral reefs, coastal watershed, valuation of watersheds, human activities, watershed, runoff, sediment, coral reef ecosystem restoration, coastal environments, socioeconomics, aquatic degradation, hydrology, Tropical Pacific Islands, societal costs, restoration, aquatic ecosystems, coral reef ecosystem integrity, human values, non-point sources, water quality, flow monitor, ecological indicators, Micronesia, ecology assessment models, outreach and education, ecological integrity, land use, restoration planning, watershed restorationRelevant Websites:
http://www.guam.net/pub/live_spawn/ Exit
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.