Citation:

Fisher, W., D. Vivian, J. Campbell, C. Lobue, R. Hemmer, S. Wilkinson, P. Harris, Debbie Santavy, M. Parsons, P. Bradley, A. Humphrey, L. Oliver, AND L. Harwell. Biological Status Assessment of Coral Reefs in Southern Puerto Rico: Supporting Coral Reef Protection Under the U.S. Clean Water Act. Coastal Management. Taylor and Francis, Philadelphia, PA, 47(5):429-452, (2019). https://doi.org/10.1080/08920753.2019.1641039

Impact/Purpose:

A survey of coral reefs was performed along the southern coast of Puerto Rico to demonstrate the indicators, protocol and probabilistic survey design that can be used by U.S. jurisdictions to develop and implement coral reef biocriteria, which are water quality standards based on biological condition and supported by the Clean Water Act. Coral reefs are declining worldwide because of thermal events and land-based pollution. Resource managers are seeking ways, like biocriteria, to aid in protection and restoration of this critical habitat. The survey assessed regional reef condition, provided data for setting management goals, and established a baseline dataset for comparison with future surveys. It also provided the first record of regional reef condition that includes simultaneous assessment of four major biological assemblages; fish, stony corals, sponges and gorgonians. The multi-assemblage approach provides a comprehensive representation of regional reef condition and allows further exploration of ecological relationships, ecosystem goods and services, benthic substrate cover and habitat provision by sessile benthic organisms. Also, because sizes of individuals were estimated, the data provide an opportunity to analyze population demographics for all four reef assemblages.

Description:

States and other jurisdictions may protect coral reefs using biological water quality standards outlined by the United States Clean Water Act (CWA). Such protection will require long-term, regional monitoring of the resource using biological indicators and a probability-based sampling design. A 60-station survey targeting nearshore linear coral reef was conducted across southern Puerto Rico in December 2011 to document the status of reef inhabitants using a probabilistic, regional sampling design. The quantity, type and condition of stony corals, fish, gorgonians, and sponges were documented from each station, providing a robust representation of linear reef status and composition across the region. Fish represented 106 unique taxa and stony corals 32 unique taxa. Benthic organisms (stony corals, sponges, and gorgonians) averaged nearly 12 colonies per square meter, more than half of which were gorgonians. Assessment results can be used as a baseline to compare with future regional surveys to quantify change in reef condition over time (trend). Both temporal and spatial changes can be expected after large-scale disturbances like hurricanes Maria and Irma in 2017. The indicators and probabilistic sampling design support the long-term regional monitoring envisioned by the Environmental Protection Agency to implement CWA protections in Puerto Rico and elsewhere.

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