From amartignette at sccf.org Fri Sep 2 09:47:59 2005 From: amartignette at sccf.org (AJ Martignette) Date: Fri, 2 Sep 2005 09:47:59 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Inexpensive datalogger Message-ID: <000301c5afc4$eee47e90$6a02640a@AJ> I am looking for an inexpensive temperature and salinity submersible data logger to be use in an estuary. I would like one that can be deployed for at least a month. If anyone is aware of a logger that fits these requirements I would appreciate any information you have on it. Thank you, AJ From johnsolk at gmail.com Fri Sep 2 01:56:43 2005 From: johnsolk at gmail.com (Lisa Kristine Johnson) Date: Thu, 1 Sep 2005 21:56:43 -0800 Subject: [Coral-List] fw: Rechargeable Battery and Reef Rehab Project by Peace Corps Volunteer in Vanuatu- World Challenge finalist Message-ID: Dear All, Below is a press release forward on a Reef Rehab Project in Vanuatu. Cool community solution for a prevalent disposal battery problem! Please consider voting at the link: http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/ The winner of this challenge receives a grant from Shell to benefit the project! -------------------------------------------------------- *NEWS ADVISORY* *Peace Corps Press Office* *202.692.2230* *August 31, 2005* http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.media.press.view&news_id=1063 Peace Corps Volunteer's Project Chosen as Finalist for World Challenge Competition *WASHINGTON, D.C., August 31, 2005* - In a country with plentiful sunshine but limited electricity, one volunteer's project to harness solar energy has brought international recognition. An endeavor that Peace Corps volunteer Chris Bartlett spearheaded and has supported since its inception, The Rechargeable Battery and Reef Rehab Project in Vanuatu, has been named one of 12 finalists in the World Challenge Competition, sponsored by BBC World and Newsweek, in association with Shell. The winner will be decided by voting and will be announced in London on November 17. The Rechargeable Battery and Reef Rehab Project is located in the Nguna-Pele Marine Protected Area in Vanuatu, where electricity is unavailable and villagers depend on batteries to run basic devices such as clocks and torches. With Bartlett's help, and the support of other volunteers, solar operated battery-chargers and Ni-MH rechargeable batteries are supplied to villages for everyday appliances through a rental process. When the batteries go dead, they can be recharged at the solar facility for a smaller fee than the cost of new disposable batteries. Before the introduction of this project, villagers were using nearly 12,000 disposable batteries per year. When discarded, many ended up on the coral reefs where the toxins from the batteries killed the reefs and destroyed the fish habitat. This project is the first of its kind in Vanuatu. Not only is the environment being protected, the project has also generated income for additional protection of the reef. The World Challenge Competition aims to find individuals or groups from around the world who have shown enterprise and innovation at a grass roots level to help protect the earth. The winner is selected based on an open vote and will receive a $20,000 grant from Shell to benefit the project. To vote, please visit the World Challenge website at http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/ before October 16. Bartlett is currently a Peace Corps volunteer in Vanuatu. In addition to his work with the Rechargeable Battery and Reef Rehab Project, he founded the Nguna-Pele Marine Protected Area. Bartlett and the project will be featured on BBC World on September 3 and in the September 1 international editions of *Newsweek*. "The people of Nguna and Pele Islands in Vanuatu have had such an impact on my life as a young conservation scientist. Over thousands of years, these people have developed models for conservation and resource management that rival those of the best modern scientific institutions," said Bartlett. "My Peace Corps experience has been a defining stage in my life as a scientist, but most importantly as a citizen of the world." There are currently 73 volunteers serving in Vanuatu, a small island nation located in the Pacific Ocean. Peace Corps volunteers work primarily to increase access to quality education, particularly in rural areas. They also focus projects on income generation through business development, food security, sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation and youth development. Since the program's inception in 1990, nearly 300 volunteers have served in Vanuatu. Since 1961, more than 178,000 volunteers have served in the Peace Corps, working in such diverse fields as education, health, HIV/AIDS education and prevention, information technology, business development, the environment, and agriculture. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lisa K. Johnson U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer Yap State Environmental Protection Agency Ph: 691-350-2113/2317 (EPA) Fax: 691-350-3892 (EPA) Peace Corps/Micronesia P.O. Box 190 Colonia, Yap, FSM 96943 Federated States of Micronesia Ph: 691-350-2196/5087 (PC) Fax: 691-350-2172 (PC) From Cheryl.Woodley at noaa.gov Fri Sep 2 15:06:40 2005 From: Cheryl.Woodley at noaa.gov (Cheryl Woodley) Date: Fri, 02 Sep 2005 15:06:40 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Postdoctoral Position Available: Microbial Ecology of Caribbean Corals Message-ID: <4318A2C0.7080006@noaa.gov> I am pleased to announce a position opening in Microbial Ecology, please share this with your colleagues. A position is immediately available for a postdoctoral fellow in environmental molecular microbiology. The focus of the research will be on a recently awarded NSF project assessing the microbial diversity associated with Caribbean corals. The fellow will be responsible for assessing coral microbial diversity using molecular approaches and should have experience with DGGE and 16S rDNA clone libraries, as well as phylogenetic and cluster analysis. An interest in database management of sequence data would also be useful. The project is collaborative with Dr. Karen Nelson at The Institute for Genomic Research (who will be generating metagenomic libraries of select coral microbial communities) and Dr. Garriet Smith of the University of South Carolina-Aiken. The fellow will be affiliated with the Marine Biomedicine and Environmental Sciences Center of the Medical University of South Carolina, and work in the state-of-the-art Hollings Marine Laboratory located on the Ft Johnson campus in Charleston, SC. Please submit a CV and list of three references (with their contact information) to: Dr. Pam Morris, Hollings Marine Laboratory, 331 Ft Johnson Rd., Charleston, SC; E-mail: morrisp at musc.edu -- Cheryl Woodley, Ph.D. Coral Health and Disease Program DOC/NOAA/NOS/NCCOS Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research Hollings Marine Laboratory 331 Fort Johnson Rd Charleston, SC 29412 843.762.8862 Phone 843.762.8737 Fax cheryl.woodley at noaa.gov From bioskar at yahoo.com.mx Fri Sep 2 18:39:40 2005 From: bioskar at yahoo.com.mx (Oscar Reyes) Date: Fri, 2 Sep 2005 17:39:40 -0500 (CDT) Subject: [Coral-List] Carryng capacity Message-ID: <20050902223940.42754.qmail@web60914.mail.yahoo.com> How do you do. I?m Oscar Reyes Biologist from M?xico, I intersting about in carriyng capacity tourist study, in enviromental marine. I need information about this teme. If somebody can help me, thank you. See you Coral listers. __________________________________________________ Correo Yahoo! Espacio para todos tus mensajes, antivirus y antispam ?gratis! Reg?strate ya - http://correo.yahoo.com.mx/ From phoenixphase at yahoo.com Sun Sep 4 00:22:49 2005 From: phoenixphase at yahoo.com (Phoenix Phase) Date: Sat, 3 Sep 2005 21:22:49 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Coral-List] Please post this sea turtle biologist opportunity to your list Message-ID: <20050904042249.49939.qmail@web35703.mail.mud.yahoo.com> http://usajobs.opm.gov/ and search for Job Announcement # 486436 We are looking for a Biologist to help us coordinate our sea turtle program and assess the coastal impacts to sea turtle nesting due to the hurricanes in our area. This position will require working with our partners and other government agencies in order to gather the necessary data and analysis of various surveys. We also need a Biologist to help with completing Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge's restoration projects as well. Others surveys, field work, and planning will be assigned as needed. Thanks for helping us spread the word! Department: Department Of The InteriorAgency: US Fish and Wildlife Service Job Announcement Number: 486436 WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST Salary Range: 41,772.00 - 54,300.00 USD per yearOpen Period: Monday, August 29, 2005 to Monday, September 12, 2005Series & Grade: GS-0486-09Position Information: Full Time Term appt NTE 13 monthsPromotion Potential: 09Duty Locations: 01 vacancies - Vero Beach, FL Who May Be Considered:U.S. CitizensJob Summary:Working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is more than a career. It is also a commitment--one shared by more than 7,500 men and women representing a diverse range of professions, backgrounds, and specialties who are dedicated to conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish and wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefits of the American people. Incumbent serves as a Wildlife Biologist, Region 4, Fish and Wildlife Service. Plans, coordinates, and completes biological studies of varying complexity needed to develop and evaluate the effect of refuge programs on habitat and wildlife. PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 09 Key Requirements: This is a Term Appointment Not to Exceed 13 months. At management's discretion, this appointment may be extended up to the 4-year limit. Major Duties: Incumbents plans, coordinates, and completes biological studies of varying complexity needed to develop and evaluate the effect of refuge programs on habitat and wildlife. Provides recommendations for management programs based on independent analysis of data. Implements various wildlife management programs, especially those for the benefit of endangered and threatened species (primarily sea turtles), waterfowl, and marsh and water birds. Conducts regular wildlife inventories for selected species. Monitors population trends and interactions, analyzes data, and proposes related management strategies. Prepares routine reports and memoranda. Advises and participates with other staff members on various management programs including impoundment management, habitat restoration, predator/pest/invasive exotics control, fishing, safety program, fire suppression, and prescribed burning. Provides direction to lower graded employees and seasonal aids in the formulation of biological related documents. Prepares wildlife and habitat management plans and provides biological input into refuge objective statements. Prepares biological section of annual narrative and monthly activity report. Provides biological input into public use development plans. Provides technical assistance in designing and implementing the education programs of the refuge to promote understanding of wildlife management concepts and understanding of the needs for management regulations. Qualifications: BASIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: A. Have successfully completed a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in biological science that included at least 9 semester hours in such wildlife subjects as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, wildlife management, or research courses in the field of wildlife biology; at least 12 semester hours in zoology subjects such as general zoology, invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, cellular biology, parasitology, entomology, or research courses in such subjects; (Excess courses in wildlife biology may be used to meet the zoology requirements when appropriate); and at least 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences. OR B. Have a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree. This would include course work equivalent to a major in biological sciences (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), with at least 9 semester hours in wildlife subjects, 12 semester hours in zoology, and 9 semester hours in botany or related plant sciences, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Additional Qualification Requirements: In addition to meeting the Basic Qualification Requirements candidate must also: A. Have at least one year of specialized experience in or directly related to wildlife biology equivalent to the GS-7 level in Federal service. Specialized experience would include such work as assisting in the collection and analysis of wildlife data. OR B. Have two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree, or equivalent, graduate degree in wildlife biology or a closely related field. Unless otherwise defined by the school, 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours is a year of graduate course work. OR C. Have less than a year of specialized experience and less than 2 years of graduate education equivalent to a year of specialized experience when combined. Only graduate course work in excess of the first year may be combined in this manner. For instance, 6 months of specialized experience could be combined with 27 semester hours to meet the qualification requirement at GS-9. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: 1. This is a term position. At management's discretion, this appointment may be extended up to the 4-year limit. This TERM position provided eligibility for the employee to earn leave and to receive Federal retirement coverage, health insurance, and life insurance. HOWEVER, TERM APPOINTMENTS DO NOT CONFER COMPETITIVE STATUS AND DO NOT LEAD TO PERMANENT APPOINTMENT. 2. Selectee will be required to work a non-standard tour of duty that may include weekends, holidays, and night shifts. 3. Selectee will be required to obtain and wear an official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform. 4. Selectee must be able to operate a government-owned or leased motor vehicle. 5. Selectee must possess or obtain a valid state driver's license. 6. Selectee will be required to obtain a state pesticide license. Extensions may be made possible without further announcement. How You Will Be Evaluated: Once the application process is complete, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. The score is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills and abilities required of this position. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. VETERANS PREFERENCE: Five points may be added to the eligible ratings of veterans who: Entered the military service prior to October 14, 1976; served on active duty during the Gulf War between August 2, 1990 and January 2, 1992, regardless of where the person served; or, served in a military action for which they received a campaign badge or expeditionary medal. Medal holders and Gulf War veterans must have served continuously for at least 24 months or the full period for which called or ordered to active duty. Ten points may be granted to the eligible ratings of disabled veterans; Purple Heart recipients; spouses or mothers of a 100 percent disabled veteran; or the widows, widowers, or mothers of a deceased veteran. How To Apply: Applying for this position requires you to take two steps: 1) Complete the OPM Form 1203-FX (Qualifications and Availability Form C) and 2) submit a resume/application and, if applicable, any supporting documentation. See the Required Documents Section NOTE: Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. This position requires the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described previously. Please carefully review the complete job announcement and the "How to Apply" instructions. Failure to provide the required information and/or materials will result in your not being considered for employment. ALTERNATIVE METHODS: You are encouraged to complete the OPM Form 1203-FX and submit your documentation using the Online method since it is the most efficient way to process your application. If you are unable to submit your responses Online, several "Options" are explained below. Follow these instructions carefully. OPM Form 1203-FX Option 1 To start a "New" OPM Form 1203-FX click this link: Online Application When you have completed the OPM Form 1203-FX select the ?Finish? button. At the next screen select the ?Submit? button. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen after you receive an acknowledgement that the OPM Form 1203-FX has been successfully submitted. Note: You can save an incomplete OPM Form 1203-FX and return to it at a later time to complete the process. How to Properly Save and Return later to complete OPM Form 1203-FX: 1. If you want to " Save " an incomplete OPM Form 1203-FX and return later, select the "Save" button at the top or bottom of each of the application pages and click the "Logout" button. 2. If you have "Saved" an incomplete OPM Form 1203-FX you may finish it by clicking on or inserting this link into your internet browser https://www.hr-services.org/usasonlineapp/usasonlineapp.aspx . Insert your SSN and Last Name into the right hand side section " Work On An Application I Have Already Started ." and click the " Login " button. Once you are logged in, the top of the screen will display the vacancy ID for all incomplete OPM Form 1203-FX and, if applicable, the bottom portion of the screen will display any Vacancy IDs that require a resume or supporting documentation to complete the application process. To finish an incomplete application processes select the adjacent button and click OK. Option 2 You may also start a new OPM Form 1203-FX by entering the following URL into your browser: 1. Enter https://www.hr-services.org/usasonlineapp/usasonlineapp.aspx 2. Scroll down the screen until the "Vacancy Identification Number" box appears under the "Create a New Application for This Job" section on the left hand side. Insert the "Vacancy Identification Number - AT486436 or "Control Number" and click the "Submit" button. Note: When you have completed the OPM Form 1203-FX, click the "Finish" button. The OPM Form 1203-FX must be completed and submitted by 12:00 midnight EST on Monday, September 12, 2005. Once the online OPM Form 1203-FX is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. (Please maintain a copy for your records) APPLICATION/RESUME AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS Option 1 1. You can upload your resume and any supporting documents after the OPM Form 1203-FX is submitted. You will receive a Notice that indicates the submission was successful. Press the "To upload a resume for this position click here" button to upload documents to this job announcement. 2. At the Document Upload screen, select the type of document you are attaching for upload from the drop down menu on the left side of the screen. 3. Select the "Browse" button and attach the file you want to submit. 4. Press the "Upload" button to submit the document file. You will receive an "Upload Successful" acknowledgement when the file has been received. Option 2 The USAJOBS Web site provides a "Create a Resume" feature that you may use to develop and submit a resume for this position. The completed resume can be attached to this vacancy announcement and submitted electronically. To do so, scroll down to the end of the vacancy announcement. Click on the "Apply Online" icon. Then follow the USAJOBS web site instructions. After you complete and submit the online resume, you will receive a "Confirmation of Submission" message stating that your online resume has been successfully submitted. If you do not receive this message, please submit again as this indicates that your resume has not been received. Electronic resumes must be submitted by midnight Eastern Time on the closing date. 1. Complete the OPM Form 1203-FX online, as outlined above and fax your application/resume and all supporting documents. If you choose to fax your documentation you must use a cover page. The information contained on the cover page must match the information you provided on the OPM Form 1203-FX. The Vacancy ID number AT486436, your name, and SSN should be written accurately and neatly. This cover page is used to match your documents with the record you established when you submitted the OPM Form 1203-FX. If the information is inaccurate or incomplete you may not receive consideration for this position. To print a copy of the ?Cover Page? click this link or click or insert this URL into your browser http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf. The fax number to submit your documents is: 1-478-757-3144. 2. Submitting your OPM Form 1203-FX, resume and supporting documents in hard copy by mail. To complete the OPM Form 1203-FX in hard copy form, click this link to print a copy of the OPM Form1203-FX or insert or type this URL into your browser http://www.opm.gov./Forms/pdf_fill/OPM1203fx.pdf You can also obtain a copy of the OPM Form 1203-FX by calling USAJOBS by Phone at (703)724-1850. After the introduction Press 1 and follow the instructions. Print a copy of this job announcement and use the OPM Form 1203-FX as a response sheet when answering the questionnaire portion of this announcement. You may submit the Form 1203-FX, resume, and any supporting documents by mail. You can mail or hand deliver your application materials to the address below: OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT ATLANTA SERVICES BRANCH 75 SPRING STREET, SW., SUITE 1000 ATLANTA, GA 30303 AT486436 STAFFING GROUP: (404) 331-4541 APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE CLOSING DATE. FAILURE TO PROVIDE COMPLETE INFORMATION MAY RESULT IN YOUR NOT RECEIVING CONSIDERATION FOR THIS POSITION. Your application materials will not be returned. Do not submit original documents that you may need in the future. Required Documents: For this job announcement the following documents are required: ? Resume - Optional Application for Federal Employment, or any other written format you choose to describe your job-related qualifications. ? Veterans Preference documentation - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214), if applicable Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (SF-15) and an official statement, dated within the last 12 months, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying to the veteran's present receipt of compensation. To submit the documents requested follow the instructions below: Your resume, curriculum vitae, the Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF 612), or any other written format you choose to describe your job-related qualifications can be submitted electronically using the document upload process, fax, mail or by hand-deliver. Please ensure that your resume contains your full name, address, phone and at least your last four digits of your social security number. Note: Please ensure that your resume contains the basic information outlined under the Applying for a Federal Job link: http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdfimage/of0510.pdf Contact Information:STAFFING GROUP Phone: (404)331-4541 Fax: (478)757-3144 Internet: Atlresume at opm.gov Or write: Atlanta Services Branch Office of Personnel Management 75 Spring Street SW Suite 1000 Atlanta, GA 30303 Fax: (478)757-3144 What To Expect Next: After a reveiw of your complete application is made you will be notified of your rating and or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted. Instructions for completing the OPM 1203-FX: If you are applying to this announcement by completing the OPM 1203-FX form instead of using the Online Application method, please use the following step-by-step instructions as a guide to filling out the required questionnaire. You will need to print the vacancy announcement and refer to it as you answer the questions. You may omit any optional information; however, you must provide responses to all required questions. Be sure to double check your application before submission. Social Security Number Vacancy Identification Number The Vacancy Identification Number is: AT486436 1. Title of Job WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 2. Biographic Data 3. E-Mail Address 4. Work Information The Online Questionnaire will not ask you this question. On the C Form, you will leave this section blank. 5. Employment Availability 6. Citizenship Are you a citizen of the United States? 7. Background Information The Online Questionnaire will not ask you this question. On the C Form, you will leave this section blank. 8. Other Information The Online Questionnaire will not ask you this question. On the C Form, you will leave this section blank. 9. Languages The Online Questionnaire will not ask you this question. On the C Form, you will leave this section blank. 10. Lowest Grade Enter the lowest grade you are willing to accept: 09 11. Miscellaneous Information The Online Questionnaire will not ask you this question. On the C Form, you will leave this section blank. 12. Special Knowledge The Online Questionnaire will not ask you this question. On the C Form, you will leave this section blank. 13. Test Location The Online Questionnaire will not ask you this question. On the C Form, you will leave this section blank. 14. Veteran Preference Claim 15. Dates of Active Duty - Military Service 16. Availability Date 17. Service Computation Date The Online Questionnaire will not ask you this question. On the C Form, you will leave this section blank. 18. Other Date Information The Online Questionnaire will not ask you this question. On the C Form, you will leave this section blank. 19. Job Preference The Online Questionnaire will not ask you this question. On the C Form, you will leave this section blank. 20. Occupational Specialties 001 Wildlife Biologist 21. Geographic Availability 0581 Vero Beach, FL 22. Transition Assistance Plan 23. Job Related Experience The Online Questionnaire will not ask you this question. On the C Form, you will leave this section blank. 24. Personal Background Information The Online Questionnaire will not ask you this question. On the C Form, you will leave this section blank. Occupational/Assessment Questions: 1. From the descriptions below, select the one which best describes your education and/or experience. A. I have successfully completed a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in biological science that included at least 9 semester hours in such wildlife subjects as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, wildlife management, or research courses in the field of wildlife biology; at least 12 semester hours in zoology subjects such as general zoology, invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, cellular biology, parasitology, entomology, or research courses in such subjects.(Excess courses in wildlife biology may be used to meet the zoology requirements when appropriate); and at least 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences. B. I have a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree. This would include course work equivalent to a major in biological sciences (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), with at least 9 semester hours in wildlife subjects, 12 semester hours in zoology, and 9 semester hours in botany or related plant sciences, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. C. I do not possess the education and/or experience described above. 2. From the descriptions below, select the one which describes your education and/or experience to perform the duties of a Wildlife Biologist, GS-486-9. A. I have at least one year of specialized experience in or directly related to wildlife biology equivalent to the GS-7 level in Federal service. Specialized experience would include such work as assisting in the collection and analysis of wildlife data. B. I have two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree, or equivalent, graduate degree in wildlife biology or a closely related field. Unless otherwise defined by the school, 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours is a year of graduate course work. C. I have less than a year of specialized experience and less than 2 years of graduate education that are equivalent to a year of specialized experience when combined. Only graduate course work in excess of the first year may be combined in this manner. For instance, 6 months of specialized experience could be combined with 27 semester hours to meet the qualification requirement at GS-9. D. I do not possess the education and/or experience described above. For each task in the following group, choose the statement from the list below that best describes your experience and/or training. Darken the oval corresponding to that statement in Section 25 of the Qualifications and Availability Form C. Please select only one letter for each item. A- I have not had education, training or experience in performing this task. B- I have had education or training in performing the task, but have not yet performed it on the job. C- I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures. D- I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee. E- I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist them in doing this task because of my expertise. 3. Plans, coordinates, and completes biological studies of varying complexity needed to develop and evaluate the effect of refuge programs on habitat and wildlife. 4. Provides recommendations for management programs based on independent analysis of data. 5. Implements various wildlife management programs, especially those for the benefit of endangered and threatened species (primarily sea turtles), waterfowl, and marsh and water birds. 6. Conducts regular wildlife inventories for selected species, especially sea turtles. 7. Monitors population trends and interactions, analyzes data, and proposes related management strategies. 8. Conducts nest surveys and inventories on and off-refuge of sea turtle populations and forwards data to state biologists. 9. Conducts studies needed to evaluate the effects of on and off refuge activities on refuge habitat and wildlife. 10. Prepares routine reports and memoranda. 11. Plans, implements, and accomplishes annual work plan projects and required reports in a finished form. 12. Prepares wildlife and habitat management plans and provides biological input into refuge objective statements. 13. Prepares biological section of annual narrative and monthly activity reports. 14. Represents the agency at meetings and conferences presenting programs on wildlife refuge management. 15. Maintains cooperative relationships with Federal, state, and local government agencies. 16. Advises and participates with other staff members on various management programs including impoundment management, habitat restoration, predator/pest/invasive exotics control, fishing, safety program, fire suppression, and prescribed burning. 17. Provides biological input into public use development plans. 18. Provides technical assistance in designing and implementing the education programs of a refuge to promote understanding of wildlife management concepts and understanding the need for management regulations. 19. Provides direction to lower graded employees and seasonal aids in field work activities. 20. Provides direction to lower graded employees and seasonal aids in the formulation of biological related documents. Benefits: The Federal government offers a number of exceptional benefits to its employees. The following Web addresses are provided for your reference to explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees. Flexible Spending Accounts - The Federal Flexible Spending Accounts Program (FSAFeds) allows you to pay for certain health and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars. For addtional information visit: https://www.fsafeds.com/fsafeds/index.asp Health Insurance - The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program offers over 100 optional plans. For addtional information visit: http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp Leave - Most Federal employees earn both annual and sick leave. For addtional information visit: http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/index.asp Life Insurance - The Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI) offers: Basic Life Insurance plus three types of optional insurance, for addtional information visit: http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.asp Long Term Care Insurance - The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) provides long term care insurance for Federal employees and their parents, parents-in-law, stepparents, spouses, and adult children. For addtional information visit: http://www.ltcfeds.com Retirement Program - Almost all new employees are automatically covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan. The three tiers are: Social Security Benefits, Basic Benefit Plan, Thrift Savings Plan. For additional information visit: http://www.opm.gov/retire/index.asp This link provides and overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees. http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei61.asp Other Information: 1. If you are an eligible Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) applicant you may apply for special selection over other candidates for this position . To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must attain a well-qualified rating of 90.0 or higher, before the addition of veterans' preference. ICTAP eligibles must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility for the special selection priority: a separation notice; a "Notice of Personnel Action" (SF-50) documenting separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; OR a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456. 2. If you are a current career or career-conditional Federal employee or former Federal employee who has reinstatement eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" and/or a copy of the SF-50 that reflects career or career-conditional tenure, or you will not be considered under the merit promotion process. Also, you should submit your most recent performance appraisal. 3. If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must attach an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. 4. If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency. 5. You can apply for a non-competitive appointment if you meet the basic eligibility requirements and you are eligible for special appointment such as those authorized for the severely disabled; certain Vietnam era and disabled veterans; returned volunteers from the Peace Corps or Vista, etc. Please indicate the type of special appointment you are seeking, if any, on your application and follow all other instructions for applying shown in this announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review in our office, in other Federal agency personnel offices, and on OPM's web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications. The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor. Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and were separated under honorable conditions may be eligible for veterans' preference. For service beginning after October 15, 1976, the veteran must have served the required length of time and have a Campaign Badge, Expeditionary Medal, a service-connected disability, or have served in the Gulf War between August 2, 1990, and January 2, 1992. The Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) gives veterans access to job vacancies that might otherwise be closed to them. The law allows eligible veterans to compete for vacancies advertised under agency's promotion procedures when the agency is seeking applications from outside of its own workforce. To claim veterans' preference, veterans should be ready to provide a copy of their DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other proof. Veterans with service connected disability and others claiming 10 point preference will need to submit Form SF-15, Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. For more specifics on all veterans employment issues such as Veterans preference or special appointing authorities see the VetGuide. Social Security Number - Your Social Security Number is requested under the authority of Executive Order 9397 to uniquely identify your records from those of other applicants who may have the same name. As allowed by law or Presidential directive, your Social Security Number is used to seek information about you from employers, schools, banks, and others who may know you. Failure to provide your Social Security Number on your application materials, will result in your application not being processed Privacy Act - Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): The information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361. Signature - Before you are hired, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the information in your application. False Statements - If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action. Selective Service - If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Send Mail to: Atlanta Services Branch Office of Personnel Management 75 Spring Street SW Suite 1000 Atlanta, GA 30303 Fax: (478)757-3144 For questions about this job: STAFFING GROUP Phone: (404)331-4541 Fax: (478)757-3144 Internet: Atlresume at opm.gov __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From planet13466 at yahoo.com Mon Sep 5 13:10:21 2005 From: planet13466 at yahoo.com (Nahid Shokri) Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005 10:10:21 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Coral-List] zooxanthellae density Message-ID: <20050905171021.81123.qmail@web31013.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Dear All I am a student of M.Sc. degree in Marine Biology based in Iran and I am doing my thesis on the effect of human impact on zooxanthellae on hard corals of the Persian Gulf. As this is a new effort in my country, I have not access to any past experience in this filed and therefore I am somehow confused in the method for zooxanthellae?s density. Suppose I counted 30 cells in 9 squares of 0.2 mm per side in haemocytometer.I know that the volume is (0.02*0.02)*0.01*9=36*10-6 which contains 30 so according to this formula: total number of zooxanthellae/(number of squares*volume per square) the concentration is 0.8*106 cells/ml. I suspended the pellet in 5 ml of filtered seawater in the test tube. Now I need to relate my concentration on the haemocytometer to my overall volume of zooxanthellae in my test tube. Therefore 0.8*106*5=4*106after this I don?t know the latest equation that I need? Please explain me what shall I do after this step? Any leads would be appreciated. Thanks. --------------------------------- Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. From Andy.Bruckner at noaa.gov Tue Sep 6 10:44:48 2005 From: Andy.Bruckner at noaa.gov (Andy Bruckner) Date: Tue, 06 Sep 2005 10:44:48 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] NOAA 2006 General Coral Reef Conservation Funding Opportunity Message-ID: <431DAB60.A159FA57@noaa.gov> 2006 NOAA General Coral Reef Conservation Grants An opportunity of funding for coral reef projects conducted in the U.S. and freely associated States through NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program (CRCGP) is now available. The CRCG is accepting applications for projects that address at least one of the following 7 categories: (a) Monitoring and assessment of coral reefs or reef resources; (b) Socio-economic assessments and resource valuation; (c) Marine Protected Areas and associated management activities; (d) Coral reef fisheries management and enforcement; (e) Coral reef restoration; (f) Public education and outreach activities; and (h) Local action strategy projects.. Research activities are eligible only if they directly relate to management or are listed as a project within a local action strategy. These categories are described in more detail below. Initial applications for funding must be received by NOAA before midnight, Eastern Time, on November 15, 2005. The full announcement was published in the Federal government grants website: http://fedgrants.gov/ on July 1, 2005. Applicants requesting financial assistance through the General Coral Reef Conservation Program should submit applications for federal funds ranging from $15,000-$50,000. These grants require a 1:1 non-federal match. The NOAA Administrator may waive all or part of the matching requirement if the applicant provides full justification for a waiver of the match in writing. The Administrator must determine that the project meets the following two requirements: 1. No reasonable means are available through which an applicant can meet the matching requirement, and 2. The probable benefit of such project outweighs the public interest in such matching requirement. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, commercial organizations, Freely Associated State government agencies, and local and Indian tribal governments. Activities must support conservation projects for coral reef ecosystems of the United States, including our territories and the Freely Associated States in the Pacific (Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia). For each project proposed, the preapplication (this is a full application without the federal forms) should not exceed 25 pages, including descriptions of qualification, letters of support and no more than five pages of other attachments, and should use 12-point font on letter size paper. Pre-applications may be submitted by surface mail or e-mail. Submission by e-mail to coral.grants at noaa.gov is preferred. If submitting by surface mail, applicants are encouraged to include an electronic copy of the pre-application or final application on disk or CD. Federal financial assistance forms are not required to be submitted with the pre-application. Paper pre-applications must be submitted to: David Kennedy, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Coordinator, Office of Response and Restoration, N/ORR, Room 10102, NOAA National Ocean Service, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Electronic pre-applications must be submitted to coral.grants at noaa.gov. Fax submittals will also be accepted for pre-applications (Fax: 301-713-4389). Electronic acceptable formats are limited to Adobe Acrobat (.PDF), WordPerfect or Microsoft Word files. The Fiscal Year 2006 Federal Funding Opportunity provides specific information and details on the eligibility, proposal content, etc., for each of the seven categories included in this year's funding announcement. To access the PDF file of this Federal Funding Opportunity, please access www.fedgrants.gov and search for Federal Funding Opportunity Number NMFS-HCPO-2006-2000348. Applications must fall within at least one of the following 7 categories: a. Monitoring and assessment of coral reefs or reef resources: Monitoring and assessment activities conducted by community and non-governmental organizations that complement or fill gaps in state and territorial coral reef monitoring programs. b. Socio-economic assessments and resource valuation: Studies to develop regional economic valuations of coral reef ecosystems including both market and non-market values to help strengthen management approaches and ensure effective decision making. This could include community assessments, economic valuations, and alternative income generation workshops. c. Marine Protected Areas and associated management activities: Studies, workshops and other coordinated regional planning efforts to (1) assess effectiveness and gaps of existing marine protected area systems; (2) develop and provide tools to increase effectiveness of MPA design and management including models of community-based conservation, policy guidance and model legislation, assessment of legal and policy frameworks; (3) evaluate management effectiveness or determine functional linkages among MPA sites; (4) engage diverse stakeholders and incorporate the best available science in the design, planning or implementation of coral reef MPAs or MPA networks; and (5) support outreach and education to facilitate participation and cooperation at local to national levels in design and implementation of coral reef MPAs d. Coral reef fisheries management and enforcement: Activities that (1) identify, monitor and protect critically important fisheries habitats and populations; (2) provide strategies to reduce destructive fishing, bycatch and overfishing; and (3) reduce overexploitation of reef organisms for the aquarium trade. This could include resource assessments, collection of fishery information, outreach to fishers, co-management of coral reef fisheries by fishing communities, and other activities that complement state, territorial or Regional Fishery Management Council activities and programs. e. Coral reef restoration: Activities to (1) review and evaluate existing reef restoration projects; (2) develop and test innovative methods and techniques to expedite reef restoration; (3) promote cost-effective pilot restoration projects; and (4) transfer proven restoration tools, techniques and lessons to communities, local, state and territorial government agencies and other partners. This includes restoration activities for coral reefs and associated habitats that were damaged by physical and biological disturbances such as orphan vessel groundings, storm events, coral disease and coral predator outbreaks, and anthropogenic disturbances, with emphasis on projects utilizing innovative coral restoration technologies and/or comprehensive evaluation of restoration sites. f. Public education and outreach activities: Activities that (1) raise awareness and understanding of coral reef ecosystems; (2) create and distribute solution-focused outreach materials targeting specific threats and user-groups; and (3) promote local and regional outreach efforts designed to modify behaviors that affect reefs on a local scale. This could include the development and dissemination of brochures and other informational materials, and convening of public meetings and workshops, particularly those which address the needs of local user groups. g. Local action strategy projects: The U.S. states and territories, under purview of the USCRTF, have developed local action strategies to address six priority threats: overfishing, land-based sources of pollution, lack of public awareness, recreational overuse or misuse, disease and coral bleaching, and climate change. These strategies provide a list of specific projects that each state and territory would like to implement. Proposals must identify the particular priority LAS project(s) that their activities will focus on and the project they are conducting. The applicant must develop an implementation plan in consultation with state and territorial governments prior to submission of the application, and include letters of support from the relevant government agency. Information on current local action strategies can be found NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation website: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/ecosystem/fundingopps.htm. From jaclyn_daly at hotmail.com Tue Sep 6 20:04:28 2005 From: jaclyn_daly at hotmail.com (Jaclyn Daly) Date: Tue, 06 Sep 2005 20:04:28 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] general distribution question Message-ID: Hello Coral Reef e-mailers, This is a very general question but I could not find any explanation so any brief answer will satisfy my curiosity. I recently went diving in Bermuda and while swimming around the very large reef I came upon a section that appeared to be a thriving metropolis of fishes. These fish (an array of species) were concentrated in this one area of reef that did not appear to be any different in coral and sponge species and distribution, formation, and water column depth than any other part of the reef. Why, when space is such a limiting factor on a reef, would these fish concentrate in one area when the rest of the reef was inhabited by just the occasional parrot, damsel, or tang etc.? Just a intriguing observation by an occasional diver. Thanks for any comment, J. Daly From rsnyder at uwf.edu Tue Sep 6 21:27:28 2005 From: rsnyder at uwf.edu (Richard A. Snyder) Date: Tue, 6 Sep 2005 20:27:28 -0500 Subject: [Coral-List] Helicostoma sp. culturing Message-ID: Dear Shashank: If the organism is feeding on Symbodinium in places where it is found, then a rice grain+ seawater will not likely work. That method is OK for messy cultures of bacterivores. You need to get a culture of the Symbodinium or related dino, culture it, wash the algal medium away (filtration or centrifugation) to remove the ammonium. Use aged open ocean seawater (best), 0.2 mm filtered. If you don't have aged seawater, get the cleanest ocean water you can find. Let it sit for a month in a 50 L or larger carboy if you can, longer is better, don't disturb the sediment in the bottom. Filter or autoclave the water. Add F/2 concentrate for dino culture. Reverse bubbling in separatory funnels with a grow light works well. Instant ocean may work but kills some protists. Try isolating individual cells of the ciliate by micropipette into suspensions of washed dinos. 12 well tissue culture plates work well since you can start multiple clonal cultures in the same plate, keep track of them under a stereo scope,and add more dinos and resuspend sedimented dinos as necessary. You may contact me with questions if you think I can help. Good luck. Dick > >Today's Topics: > > 1. Helicostoma sp. culturing.... (shashank Keshavmurthy) > > >---------------------------------------------------------------------- > >Message: 1 >Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2005 04:40:46 -0700 (PDT) >From: shashank Keshavmurthy >Subject: [Coral-List] Helicostoma sp. culturing.... >To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >Message-ID: <20050822114046.21052.qmail at web31805.mail.mud.yahoo.com> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > >Dear All, >Does anyone know how ciliate Helicostoma sp. can >be cultured in lab??? i mean what media is >used.... >I was wondering using a sea water media with >grain of rice in it... >any suggestions is welcome.... >thanks > >Shashank > >"the role of infinitely small in nature is infinitely large"-Louis >Pasteur > >Keshavmurthy Shashank >phD candidate >Kochi University, Graduate School of Kuroshio Science >Laboratory of Environmental Conservation >Otsu 200, Monobe, Nankoku-shi >783-8502, Kochi, Japan >alt. id: shashank at cc.kochi-u.ac.jp >phone: 81 090 8285 9012 > >__________________________________________________ >Do You Yahoo!? >Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around >http://mail.yahoo.com > >------------------------------ > >_______________________________________________ >Coral-List mailing list >Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list > > >End of Coral-List Digest, Vol 26, Issue 16 >****************************************** -- ____________________________________________________________________________ Richard A. Snyder, Ph.D. Associate Professor Center for Environmental Diagnostics and Bioremediation (CEDB) Biology Department http://www.uwf.edu/rsnyder/ University of West Florida 11000 University Parkway (850) 474-2806 Pensacola, FL 32514 FAX: -3130 ____________________________________________________________________________ From johnsolk at gmail.com Tue Sep 6 18:22:35 2005 From: johnsolk at gmail.com (Lisa Kristine Johnson) Date: Tue, 6 Sep 2005 14:22:35 -0800 Subject: [Coral-List] fw: deep sea conservation Message-ID: FYI (forwarded message below). Something you can do about bottom trawling. -Lisa ----- Original Message ----- *From:* Kelly Rigg *To:* Deep.Sea.Help at email.teletechnics.net *Sent:* Tuesday, August 30, 2005 1:39 AM *Subject:* deep sea conservation Hey there - Sorry for the mass mailing but... My team at the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition has just launched a new web campaign to halt high seas bottom trawling, one of the world's most destructive fishing practices. To give an example, bottom trawling is wiping out cold water coral reefs which were already more than 2,000 years old at the time that the pyramids were built in ancient Egypt. We think we have a real chance of getting the UN to do something about it, and we only have a few weeks left to get the Europeans on side (European countries are responsible for most of the fishing). Hence this web action. We're asking people to *visit www.savethehighseas.org * where you can send an e-card to the people who will make the decision. You can either design a deep sea creature yourself (which is fun, especially for kids) and/or send a ready made card. Can you also please pass (cut and paste) this message on to your own contacts lists? Thanks, Kelly -- Kelly Rigg The Varda Group Dufaystraat 8 1075 GT Amsterdam The Netherlands tel/fax +31-20-6626795 www.vardagroup.org From bioskar at yahoo.com.mx Wed Sep 7 13:21:37 2005 From: bioskar at yahoo.com.mx (Oscar Reyes) Date: Wed, 7 Sep 2005 12:21:37 -0500 (CDT) Subject: [Coral-List] Thank you Message-ID: <20050907172137.2487.qmail@web60924.mail.yahoo.com> Thank very much all people for the information about carryng capacity. This information is very useful for me. Oscar Reyes Mendoza greetings from M?xico --------------------------------- Do You Yahoo!? La mejor conexi?n a Internet y 2GB extra a tu correo por $100 al mes. http://net.yahoo.com.mx From Eileen.Alicea at noaa.gov Wed Sep 7 10:49:21 2005 From: Eileen.Alicea at noaa.gov (Eileen Alicea) Date: Wed, 07 Sep 2005 10:49:21 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] 2006 NOAA INTERNATIONAL CORAL GRANTS: FINAL Correction Message-ID: <431EFDF1.9060200@noaa.gov> 2006 NOAA INTERNATIONAL CORAL GRANT PROGRAM FINAL CORRECTION FOR FFO ACCESS An opportunity for funding international coral reef projects is now available through NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program, which was published in the Federal government grants website on July 1, 2005. A summary of the international grant information is available through the links in the web site: http://ipo.nos.noaa.gov/coralgrants.html. The Fiscal Year 2006 Federal Funding Opportunity provides specific information and details on the eligibility, proposal content, etc., for each of the four international project categories included in this year's funding announcement. To access the PDF file of this Federal Funding Opportunity Number NOS-IPO-2006-2000331, please access http://www.coralreef.noaa.gov/funding/grants/fy06_ffo_intrntl_grant.pdf. Applications for funding are DUE TO NOAA/NOS International Program Office on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 by 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time. Eligible Applicants Eligible applicants include all international, governmental (except U.S. federal agencies), and non-governmental organizations. For specific country eligibility per category, please refer to individual category descriptions in Section V. The proposed work must be conducted at a non-U.S. site. Eligible countries are defined as follows: The Wider Caribbean includes the 37 States and territories that border the marine environment of the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the areas of the Atlantic Ocean adjacent thereto, and Brazil and Bermuda, but excluding areas under U.S. jurisdiction. The South Pacific Region includes South Pacific Regional Environment Program?s 19 Pacific island countries and territories, including the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, but excluding U.S. territories and four developed country members. Southeast Asia Region includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. East Africa includes Comoros, France (La Reunion), Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, the United Republic of Tanzania and South Africa. Eligibility criteria are also contingent upon whether activities undertaken with respect to the pre- and final application would be consistent with any applicable conditions or restrictions imposed by the U.S. government. The International Grant Program has four project categories: 1. Promote Watershed Management in the Wider Caribbean, Brazil, and Bermuda: IPO will fund activities that promote integrated watershed and coastal management practices that reduce or control runoff to near shore coral reef ecosystems, including programs that prioritize marine protected areas and the conservation of biodiversity within watershed planning and management, assess effectiveness of these management practices, engage stakeholders and government agencies in collaborative partnerships to implement these practices; and recommend a set of best management practices that can be applied to the Wider Caribbean region. Examples of allowed activities may be: a. Analysis of regulatory and legislative frameworks to identify areas needing strengthening; b. Education and outreach to promote integrated watershed and coastal management practices; c. Workshops to enhance stakeholder participation and implementation of integrated watershed management; d. Assessment of land use impacts that threaten to degrade near-shore coral reefs and development of management practices to reduce and/or eliminate the identified threats; e. Demonstration of best management practices for the agricultural sector to control nutrients, sediments and pesticides that threaten near-shore reefs. 2. Regional Enhancement of Marine Protected Area Management Effectiveness: IPO will fund regional activities at coral MPA sites that are building an adaptive management and evaluation program and will conduct an assessment of management effectiveness, using the ?How is your MPA Doing? handbook, in order to strengthen and achieve the site goals and objectives. The Management Effectiveness category will emphasize regional capacity building in the WCPA-Marine/WWF methodology. Go to: http://effectivempa.noaa.gov/guidebook/guidebook.html to view a copy of "How is Your MPA Doing? A Guidebook of Natural and Social Indicators for Evaluating Marine Protected Area Management Effectiveness" (pdf, 216 pages, 3.5MB). June 2004. 3. Encourage the Development of National Systems of Marine Protected Areas in the Wider Caribbean, Bermuda, Brazil, and Southeast Asia: IPO will fund the implementation of national MPA system planning processes that contribute to an integrated plan for a comprehensive and effective national system of MPAs, including the following activities: a) development and coordination of dialogues and partnerships with key agencies, academic institutions, and diverse stakeholders; b) syntheses of the purposes, types, resources protected, and levels of protection afforded by existing National Systems of MPAs and all other relevant marine management efforts; c) assessments of existing legal and policy frameworks for MPAs; d) assessments of contributions of existing National Systems of MPAs to overall goals of a National System; e) national and sub-national (where appropriate) syntheses of information on the distribution and status of key resources and habitats marine ecosystems; f) assessments of patterns and potential impacts of human uses in marine ecosystems; g) assessments of gaps in protection for important marine areas; h) recommended priority areas for consideration in future MPA planning, including areas for inclusion in a national system. i) development of comprehensive, long-term monitoring programs to investigate effects of National Systems of MPAs on key resources, ecosystems, socioeconomics, and public perceptions (does not include implementation of monitoring program). Priority will be given to proposals that rely heavily on consistent, meaningful engagement of and input by diverse stakeholder interests. 4. Promote Regional Socio-Economic Training and Monitoring in Coral Reef Management in the Wider Caribbean, Brazil, Bermuda, East Africa, South Pacific, and Southeast Asia: IPO will fund activities that support these regional initiatives and that include both a capacity-building component (e.g. training workshop) and establishment of socioeconomic monitoring programs at three or more sites. Regional is defined either as three or more sites in a single country or 3 or more sites between two or more countries. See http://ipo.nos.noaa.gov/coralgrants.html for more information and for copies of the global and regional guidelines. Funding Availability Approximately $400,000 may be available in FY 2006 to support grants and cooperative agreements under this program. Approximately $75,000-$100,000 may be allocated to each of the four project categories listed below, with the following award ranges: a. Watershed Management: $30,000-$40,000 b. Management Effectiveness: Regional capacity building projects: up to $80,000 c. MPA National Systems: $40,000-$50,000 d. Socio-economic Monitoring Regional projects: $15,000 - $35,000 Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement As per section 6403(b)(1) of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, Federal funds for any coral conservation project funded under this Program may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the projects. Therefore, any coral conservation project under this program requires a 1:1 match. Matching funds must be from non-Federal sources and can include in-kind contributions and other non-cash support. Federal funds may not be considered as matching funds. Matching contributions cannot serve as match for other grants. As per section 6403(b)(2) of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, the NOAA Administrator may waive all or part of the matching requirement if the Administrator determines that the project meets the following two requirements: 1. No reasonable means are available through which an applicant can meet the matching requirement, and 2. The probable benefit of such project outweighs the public interest in such matching requirement. Pre-application Submission Information Pre-applications may be submitted by surface mail or e-mail. Submission by e-mail to coral.grants at noaa.gov is preferred. If submitting by surface mail, applicants are encouraged to include an electronic copy of the pre-application or final application on disk or CD. Federal financial assistance forms are not required to be submitted with the pre-application. Paper pre-applications must be submitted to: David Kennedy, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Coordinator, Office of Response and Restoration, N/ORR, Room 10102, NOAA National Ocean Service, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Electronic pre-applications must be submitted to coral.grants at noaa.gov. Fax submittals will also be accepted for pre-applications (Fax: 301-713-4389). Electronic acceptable formats are limited to Adobe Acrobat (.PDF), WordPerfect or Microsoft Word files. For further information about the international coral grants, please write to: International.Coral.Grants at noaa.gov From RGonzalez at perryinstitute.org Thu Sep 8 08:30:25 2005 From: RGonzalez at perryinstitute.org (Ruth Ann Gonzalez) Date: Thu, 8 Sep 2005 08:30:25 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] DSO job Message-ID: Good morning, I would appreciate it if you would list post the following position we have available. Thank you. Ruth Ann Gonzalez, PHR Human Resources Administrator Perry Institute for Marine Science 100 N. US Highway 1, Suite 202 Jupiter, FL 33477-5112 T: (561)741-0192 ext. 121 F: (561)741-0193 E: RGonzalez at perryinstitute.org www.perryinstitute.org Providing solutions for people and our oceans through research and education, since 1970. **************************************************************************** ********************************************************** Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s), and may contain legally privileged and confidential information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, copy, or use it, and do not disclose it to others. Please notify the sender of the delivery error by replying to this message, then delete it from your system, and destroy all copies. Thank you. **************************************************************************** ********************************************************** From Emma.Hickerson at noaa.gov Thu Sep 8 15:56:05 2005 From: Emma.Hickerson at noaa.gov (Emma Hickerson) Date: Thu, 08 Sep 2005 14:56:05 -0500 Subject: [Coral-List] re: Flower Garden Banks NMS coral spawning observations Message-ID: <43209755.70104@noaa.gov> Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Northwestern Gulf of Mexico Coral spawning observations August 25&26, 2005 Cruise curtailed by Hurricane Katrina 4 research vessels, 9 observers August 25, 2005 Montastraea franksi 2119 to 2145 26 colonies M. faveolata 2221 to 2306 7 colonies M. annularis 2223 to 2256 2 colonies M. cavernosa 2055 to 2125 17 male colonies M. cavernosa 2059 to 2120 12 female colonies Diploria strigosa 2120 to 2213 3 colonies August 26, 2005 M. franksi 2100 to 2202 66 colonies M. faveolata 2251 to 2308 23 colonies M. annularis 2246 1 colony M. cavernosa 2045 to 2145 4 male colony M. cavernosa 2045 to 2145 4 female colonies Stephanocoenia intersepta 2208 to 2223 23 male colonies S. intersepta 2218 to 2222 18 female colonies D. strigosa 2100 to 2215 22 colonies Emma L Hickerson (FGBNMS) G.P. Schmahl (FGBNMS) Doug Weaver (FGBNMS) Dr. Peter Vize (University of Calgary) Jennifer DeBose (Univesity of California - Davis) Eric Borneman (University of Houston) -- ````````````````````````````````````````````````` Emma L. Hickerson Research Coordinator emma.hickerson at noaa.gov Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary 1200 Briarcrest Drive, Ste. 4000 Bryan, TX 77802 PH: 979-846-5942, ext. 111 FAX: 979-846-5959 flowergarden.noaa.gov sanctuaries.noaa.gov ````````````````````````````````````````````````` From RGonzalez at perryinstitute.org Thu Sep 8 11:53:36 2005 From: RGonzalez at perryinstitute.org (Ruth Ann Gonzalez) Date: Thu, 8 Sep 2005 11:53:36 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] DSO job Message-ID: Due to technical problems, the description for our DSO position did not appear. Please find it below: Diving Safety Officer The Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS) is seeking a hard working, motivated individual for the full-time, resident position of Diving Safety Officer (DSO) for the Caribbean Marine Research Center's (CMRC) remote field station located on Lee Stocking Island (LSI), Exuma Cays, Bahamas. CMRC is a federally funded research station with one of the most active and advanced scientific diving programs in the world, averaging over 4,000 scientific dives per year using air, Nitrox and Trimix systems to depths of over 300 feet. This position will be responsible for on-site management and operations of the dive program and facilities and equipment, including boats and associated systems. The position will also be also responsible for maintaining and developing training and certification programs for staff and visitors to LSI. The DSO will ensure that PIMS maintains its standing within the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) and is in compliance with all AAUS Standards for Scientific Diving. The DSO will be responsible for continued development and implementation of diving, boating and safety related policies and procedures on behalf of PIMS and its Dive Control Board. The DSO will be expected to provide exceptional service and training for safe and efficient operations and to develop and advance the diving program on behalf of PIMS. This includes representing and promoting PIMS' facilities and training opportunities to the scientific community and the technical diving community. On site residence is required and provided; salary range from $30,000 to $34,000 commensurate with experience; comprehensive benefit package provided. No pets allowed on LSI. Minimum Qualifications - Bachelor's degree, certificate and expertise recognized by dive organizations (AAUS) as Dive Instructor for advanced scientific and Nitrox diving. Advanced lifesaving, CPR and first aid Instructor certifications and manufacturer specific (Scubapro preferred) diving equipment inspection/repair, and gas blender certifications. Knowledge of marine & boat safety. Knowledge of maritime regulations that apply to Bahamian waters. Knowledge and communication skills needed for developing and teaching scientific diving courses and advancing the dive program within the scientific communities. Experience and/or ability to live and work in a remote setting is required. Please fax a letter of intent, resume, salary requirements and three references to 561-741-0193. Incomplete applications will not be considered. EOE/DFW Thank you. Ruth Ann Gonzalez, PHR Human Resources Administrator Perry Institute for Marine Science 100 N. US Highway 1, Suite 202 Jupiter, FL 33477-5112 T: (561)741-0192 ext. 121 F: (561)741-0193 E: RGonzalez at perryinstitute.org www.perryinstitute.org Providing solutions for people and our oceans through research and education, since 1970. **************************************************************************** ********************************************************** Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s), and may contain legally privileged and confidential information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, copy, or use it, and do not disclose it to others. Please notify the sender of the delivery error by replying to this message, then delete it from your system, and destroy all copies. Thank you. **************************************************************************** ********************************************************** From norman.quinn at uwimona.edu.jm Thu Sep 8 21:28:16 2005 From: norman.quinn at uwimona.edu.jm (Norman Quinn) Date: Thu, 8 Sep 2005 20:28:16 -0500 Subject: [Coral-List] Introduction to Bioenergetics Modeling of Fish Workshop References: <431DAB60.A159FA57@noaa.gov> Message-ID: <01d501c5b4dd$c1643870$1024a8c0@uwimona.edu.jm> Introduction to Bioenergetics Modeling of Fish WorkshopDiscovery Bay Marine LaboratoryNovember 29-30, 2005 Dr. Jim Petersen, from the U.S. Geological Survey, will visit Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory (DBML) and conduct a 2-day workshop on bioenergetic modeling of fish on November 29-30, 2005. Bioenergetic models are used to predict consumption needs and growth of fish, and have been useful in exploring a variety of basic and applied questions, including predator-prey relationships, competition for food, the effects of climate change and global warming, and many other examples. The workshop will provide an introduction to bioenergetic principles and modeling, examples, and familiarize students with a user-friendly software package called "Fish Bioenergetics 3.0". The workshop will be a combination of lecture, discussion, and exercises designed to demonstrate the flexibility and application of bioenergetic modeling. Parameterization methods and use of bioenergetic principles in other types of models will be discussed. Examples and exercises will include local Caribbean fish populations as much as possible, although the great majority of models have been developed for North American and European freshwater fishes (bass, Cyprinids,salmonids,etc.). The workshop will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Software and computers necessary for the workshop will be supplied. This is an introduction, so a great deal of mathematical training is not required. A post-secondary introduction to statistics and basic algebra should be sufficient. Dr. Petersen works at the Columbia River Research Laboratory (Washington State, USA) where he has used bioenergetic and individual based models to study predation on juvenile salmon, long-term changes in temperature on predation patterns, and management of humpback chub in the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River. He is currently the Laboratory Director but is still involved in the development and use of bioenergetic models of desert fishes, suckers in the Klamath River Basin, and endangered bull trout in the Pacific Northwest. For more information, contact Dr. Petersen (jim_petersen at usgs.gov) or Dr. Norman Quinn, Director of DBML (norman.quinn at uwimona.edu.jm). From chary.nithya at gmail.com Fri Sep 9 01:43:44 2005 From: chary.nithya at gmail.com (chary nithya) Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 11:13:44 +0530 Subject: [Coral-List] coral reef cataloging Message-ID: I am a research scholar and i am interested in doing project in the topic "Molecular Cataloging of Coral reefs". So if u have any idea or materials about this topic kindly send it to my amail address. Thank You. Nithya Chary. From planet13466 at yahoo.com Fri Sep 9 05:38:24 2005 From: planet13466 at yahoo.com (Nahid Shokri) Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 02:38:24 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Coral-List] chlorophyll analysis Message-ID: <20050909093824.73227.qmail@web31009.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Dear All, I am a student of M.Sc. degree in Marine Biology based in Iran and I am doing my thesis on the effect of human impact on zooxanthellae on hard corals of the Persian Gulf. As this is a new effort in my country, I have not access to any past experience in this filed and therefore I am somehow confused in the method for zooxanthellae?s chlorophyll a content. After reading the absorbance of the samples at 750,664,647 and 630nm by spectrometer, I use this formula: c(chlorophyll a)=11.85 E664 _ 1.54 e647 _0.08 E630 I used 10 ml of 90%.the diameter of cuvvett is 1.6 cm.The original amount of blastate is 20 ml and I took 10 ml for chlorophyll analysis. Please explain what shall I do after this step? Any leads would be appreciated. thanks. --------------------------------- Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. From coral_giac at yahoo.com Fri Sep 9 21:30:24 2005 From: coral_giac at yahoo.com (Hernandez Edwin) Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 18:30:24 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Coral-List] Major bleaching event off eastern Puerto Rico Message-ID: <20050910013025.18821.qmail@web30413.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Hola! This short notice is to provide a brief report of a major bleaching event actually occurring off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. Part of our diving team at the UPR-Coral Reef Research Group was out in the field today and found that minor bleaching we documented about two weeks ago or so has become more intense. According to Prof. Carlos Toledo, from our diving team, between 50 and 75% of the corals at Cayo Largo (off Fajardo) and Isla Pi?ero (off Ceiba) are heavily bleached. Most Montastraea spp., Diploria spp., Siderastrea siderea, Porites spp., Agaricia spp., Millepora spp., and other species were documented with total or nearly total bleaching. In addition, many plexaurid octocoral colonies, encrusting gorgonians (Erythropodium caribbaeorum) and zoanthids (Palythoa caribbaeorum) were also significantly bleached. There is no quantitative data at this stage, but divers will be returning to these sites tomorrow and next week to collect quantitative data. A summary report will be submitted sometime within the next few days. SST is around 29.5 to 30.0C. Doldrum-like conditions have been nearly prevalent in the area during the last few weeks preceeding bleaching. Saludos! Edwin Edwin A. Hern?ndez-Delgado, Ph.D. Affiliate Researcher University of Puerto Rico Department of Biology Coral Reef Research Group P.O. Box 23360 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00931-3360 Tel (787) 764-0000, x-4855 Fax (787) 764-2610 e-mail: coral_giac at yahoo.com ______________________________________________________ Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. http://store.yahoo.com/redcross-donate3/ From shorttara at hotmail.com Fri Sep 9 16:29:18 2005 From: shorttara at hotmail.com (Tara Short) Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 15:29:18 -0500 Subject: [Coral-List] Marine Biology for High School Students Message-ID: Hello, The link below is to inform teachers interested in summer/spring break travel with their students to the Bahamas for an introduction in Marine Ecology/Biology. Please forward to those who might be interested. Thanks http://seafish.com/more%20information/wild%20studies%20fall%20promo%2005.pdf From phmontoya at hotmail.com Fri Sep 9 09:52:53 2005 From: phmontoya at hotmail.com (Phanor Montoya) Date: Fri, 09 Sep 2005 13:52:53 +0000 Subject: [Coral-List] Santa Marta (Colombia) Coral Spawining Data Message-ID: Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona, Santa Marta Caribbean Coast of Colombia, South America Coral spawning observations August 25, 26, y 28- 2005 Site: El Torin, Coral Cover 50-60%. August 25, 2005 Montastraea faveolata 21:58 to 22:19 8 colonies M. cavernosa 18:10 to 19:33 4 male colonies Diploria strigosa 17:20 to 21:10 39 colonies August 26, 2005 M. faveolata 22:01 to 10:20 4 colonies (the same of august 25) D. strigosa bundles in the water Site: El Cantil, Coral Cover 30%. August 28, 2005 Eusmilia fastigiata 19:20 to 20:40 3 colonies Observation team: Jessica Escobar (Fundaci?n Bucea Colombia) Juan Federico Suarez (Fundaci?n Bucea Colombia) Carlos Uriel Romero (Fundaci?n Bucea Colombia) Phanor Montoya-Maya (Fundaci?n Bucea Colombia) Marijan Muzinic (Poseidon Dive Center) Martha Elena Ruiz (Poseidon Dive Center) Four volunteers from Fundaci?n Bucea Colombia and Poseidon Dive Center Akcnowledgements Fundaci?n Bucea Colombia would like to thank the Jessica Escobar (Fundaci?n Bucea Colombia) and Phanor Montoya-Maya (Fundaci?n Bucea Colombia) for coordinating the field observations. We would like to express our gratitude to all the volunteeer for their support and commitment: Juan Federico Suarez (Fundaci?n Bucea Colombia), Carlos Uriel Romero (Fundaci?n Bucea Colombia), Marijan Muzinic (Poseidon Dive Center), Martha Elena Ruiz (Poseidon Dive Center), and four more volunteers from Fundaci?n Bucea Colombia and Poseidon Dive Center. For more information please visit us at [1]www.buceacolombia.org Phanor Montoya Maya Biologo Marino - Instructor de Buceo Celular 3155608765 [2]phmontoya at hotmail.com _________________________________________________________________ Las mejores tiendas, los precios mas bajos, entregas en todo el mundo, YupiMSN Compras: [3]Haz clic aqu?... References 1. http://www.buceacolombia.org/ 2. mailto:phmontoya at hotmail.com 3. http://g.msn.com/8HMBES/2746??PS=47575 From RGonzalez at perryinstitute.org Fri Sep 9 16:41:01 2005 From: RGonzalez at perryinstitute.org (Ruth Ann Gonzalez) Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 16:41:01 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Job posting Message-ID: Please list post the following two positions we currently have available in the Bahamas. Thank you. Facilities Supervisor The Perry Institute for Marine Science (www.perryinstitute.org ), a US not-for-profit organization that has been successfully running a marine biology research facility in the Bahamas since 1970, is seeking an energetic, self-disciplined Facilities Professional for its marine research center located on Lee Stocking Island, Exuma, Bahamas. This is an on-island analytical, problem-solving position involving all aspects of daily facility maintenance operations of a large self-supporting remote island. The ideal candidate must be flexible with priorities, able to juggle between multiple demands, be relentless about work being done correctly, and be able to work outside in very warm conditions for a large part of the day. A team-oriented attitude is a must. A Bachelor's degree in engineering or related area is required, with expertise and professional training in the following trades: electrician, water plant management, heavy equipment repair and maintenance, HVAC repair and maintenance, carpentry, and heavy equipment operation. Minimum 5 years of managerial and supervisory experience; along with experience with developing and implementing fiscal budgets, operational procedures and internal policies for facilities operations within an organization. General skills in organization and computers, including but not limited to: e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets, online requisitioning and order processing and web search techniques. Basic training in emergency response procedures, such as basic first aid training, a definite plus. This is a great challenge for great adventure for the right individual. Annual salary is $30K-$34K DOQ. Additional compensation includes housing, utilities, travel, partial relocation, medical/dental coverage, vacation, and retirement benefits. No pets. Fax resume with coversheet including salary requirements and three references to: 561-741-0193 EOE/DFWP. Facilities Technician The Perry Institute for Marine Science (www.perryinstitute.org ), a US not-for-profit organization that has been successfully operating a marine biology research facility in the Bahamas since 1970, is seeking an energetic, self-disciplined Facilities Maintenance Professional for its marine research center located on Lee Stocking Island, Exuma, Bahamas. This is an on-island analytical, problem-solving position involving all aspects of daily facility maintenance operations of a large self-supporting remote island. This position reports to the Facilities Supervisor. The ideal candidate must be flexible with priorities, able to juggle between multiple demands, be relentless about work being done correctly, and able to work outside in very warm conditions for a large part of the day. A team-oriented attitude is a must High School or Trade School diploma is required. Additional training in electrical work, small engine (diesel and gas) repair, plumbing, heavy equipment operation and/or other trades required. Minimum 5 years experience in the specified areas of training. Ability to operate small boats (15 - 25 ft.) powered with outboard motors is required, along with basic training in emergency response procedures such as basic first aid training. This is a great challenge for great adventure for the right individual. Annualized salary is $26K - $29K DOQ. Additional compensation includes housing, utilities, travel, partial relocation, medical/dental coverage, vacation, and retirement benefits. No pets. Fax resume with coversheet including salary requirements and three references to: 561-741-0193 EOE/DFWP. Thank you again. Ruth Ann Gonzalez, PHR Human Resources Administrator Perry Institute for Marine Science 100 N. US Highway 1, Suite 202 Jupiter, FL 33477-5112 T: (561)741-0192 ext. 121 F: (561)741-0193 E: RGonzalez at perryinstitute.org www.perryinstitute.org Providing solutions for people and our oceans through research and education, since 1970. **************************************************************************** ********************************************************** Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s), and may contain legally privileged and confidential information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, copy, or use it, and do not disclose it to others. Please notify the sender of the delivery error by replying to this message, then delete it from your system, and destroy all copies. Thank you. **************************************************************************** ********************************************************** From marinelife_al at yahoo.com Sat Sep 10 09:11:37 2005 From: marinelife_al at yahoo.com (m islam) Date: Sat, 10 Sep 2005 06:11:37 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Coral-List] dive traning and Coral survey technique. In-Reply-To: <20050909093824.73227.qmail@web31009.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <20050910131137.58287.qmail@web50913.mail.yahoo.com> Dear All I am writing from bangladesh. We are working on marinelife conservation and research. We are doing all just with our limited sources by snorkeling. But it is not enough. And this is happening since long time. I am writing for help from you all especially who can help us 2 persons to get dive traning and have some knowledge to do underwater survey in Bangladesh in the coming winter before December. that will help us to do next Reefcheck Survey. I hope there are some personnel in Nearest country that we can effort in our capasity. Pls let us know who can help us what possible way ans how much easier in deferent ways. Pls help us to do work for coral conservation in bangladesh territory. Waiting eagerly for your reply. Regards and best wishes Zahirul Islam MarineLife Alliance Bangladesh Zahirul Islam MarineLife Alliance Holding #16, South Chartha Comilla 3500 Bangladesh Email: marinelife_al at yahoo.com, sturcnet at hotmail.com --------------------------------- Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. From Hanisak at HBOI.edu Sat Sep 10 16:53:50 2005 From: Hanisak at HBOI.edu (Dennis Hanisak) Date: Sat, 10 Sep 2005 16:53:50 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Positions Available - Marine Education Message-ID: Marine Science Instructor (2) - Responsibilities including providing logistical, boating, water safety, and instructional support for educational programs at Harbor Branch (http://www.hboi.edu/marineed/marineed_home.html). Experience teaching science and BS degree in some aspect of marine or environmental science or science education is required. Requires strong communication skills, experience in operating small boats, and ability to supervise students on field trips, including snorkeling. Job number 05MECC03 and 05MECC04. To be considered please complete an Application for Employment available on our website (http://www.hboi.edu/downloads/pdf/employ_app_hboi.pdf). Mail to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc. attn: Human Resources at 5600 US 1 North, Fort Pierce, FL 34946 or fax to (772) 466-3644. EOE/AAP/DFWP From Hanisak at HBOI.edu Sun Sep 11 08:58:45 2005 From: Hanisak at HBOI.edu (Dennis Hanisak) Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2005 08:58:45 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Postdoctoral Fellowships Message-ID: > Postdoctoral fellowships in aquaculture, marine biology/biological > oceanography, marine mammal research, natural products chemistry, and > ocean technology are available at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, > Fort Pierce, Florida. Fellowships run from January 1, 2006 through July > 31, 2007. Applicants must have received their doctorate degree within the > past 5 years. For more information and an application packet, visit > http://www.hboi.edu/marineed/pro.html > . Deadline for submission is > October 8, 2005. EOE/AA/DFWP From mbrandt at rsmas.miami.edu Sun Sep 11 14:03:59 2005 From: mbrandt at rsmas.miami.edu (Marilyn Brandt) Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2005 14:03:59 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Extensive bleaching documented in parts of the Florida Keys Message-ID: <20050911180410.18DBF17916@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Extensive coral bleaching has been observed over the past several weeks at two inshore patch reef sites of the middle Florida Keys, U.S.A and recently at three inshore patch reef sites of Biscayne National Park as well. Some paling and bleaching has also been observed over the several week time period at two offshore reef sites in the upper Florida Keys. What follows are short bleaching reports from these three regions. Links to pictures will follow in a later email. Middle Keys Patch Reefs At two Florida Keys inshore patch reef sites, Cheeca Rocks and Coral Gardens, extensive coral bleaching has been observed affecting up to 80% of scleractinian corals. Cheeca Rocks and Coral Gardens are located offshore of the middle Florida Keys and these sites are currently being monitored as part of a dissertation study on coral disease. Five 16m2 permanent plots were established at each of these sites in August of 2004 and a total of 266 corals at Cheeca Rocks and 350 corals at Coral Gardens have been monitored for the incidence of bleaching and disease since that time. On August 11th, 2005, I observed some partial bleaching affecting only a few of the monitored colonies. When I returned on August 16th, paling and partial bleaching was occurring on 19% and 33% of the monitored corals at Cheeca Rocks and Coral Gardens respectively. This bleaching was mainly affecting species of Colpophyllia natans and Montastrea faveolata. However, at this point all of the monitored colonies of Agaricia agaricites within the quadrats were completely bleached. On September 1st, I revisited the sites to find that 74% of monitored corals at Cheeca Rocks and 80% of monitored corals at Coral Gardens were experiencing some extent of bleaching (paling, partial bleaching, or total colony bleaching). The proportions of all colonies experiencing total bleaching (i.e. no observable color from zooxanthellae) were 11% at Cheeca Rocks and 15% at Coral Gardens. Species most affected by the bleaching were C. natans, M. faveolata, and A. agaricites. Other species found bleaching included M. annularis, M. cavernosa, Dichocoenia stokesii, Diploria clivosa, D. strigosa, D. labrynthiformis, Favia fragum, Meandrina meandrites, Mussa angulosa, Porites astreoides, P. porites, Siderastrea radians, S. siderea, and Stephanocoenia intersepta. Species other than scleractinian corals observed to be bleaching included Millepora alcicornis, M. complanata, Palythoa caribaeorum, Erythropodium caribaeorum, Briareum asbestinum, and some other gorgonians. The only notable exception was individuals of Mycetophyllia spp. which appeared healthy and experienced no noticeable bleaching. The sites were again revisited on September 6th and no recovery was observed. In addition, three new Black-band diseases had begun affecting 100% bleached colonies of C. natans at Coral Gardens and though they were not found within the quadrats, similar infections were observed on colonies of C. natans at Cheeca Rocks. Water temperature was recorded during each site visit with a YSI-30 at depths of 1 meter and 5 meters from the surface. Water temperatures in degrees Celsius were recorded as follows: 8/11/05: Cheeca Rocks; 1m: 31.7, 5m: 31.7 Coral Gardens: 1m: 31.8, 5m: 31.8 8/16/05: Cheeca Rocks; 1m: 31.7, 5m: 31.7 Coral Gardens; 1m: 32.0, 5m: 32.0 9/1/05: Cheeca Rocks; 1m: 31.1, 5m: 31.1 Coral Gardens; 1m: 31.1, 5m: 31.4 9/6/05: Cheeca Rocks; 1m: 30.5, 5m: 30.3 Coral Gardens; 1m: 30.6, 5m: 30.6 Upper Keys Offshore Reef Sites In August of 2004, five 16m2 permanent quadrats were also established at two offshore reef sites in the upper Florida Keys, French Reef and Little Grecian. 366 corals at French Reef and 269 corals at Little Grecian have been monitored since the establishment of the quadrats and in recent weeks some bleaching has been observed. This bleaching is not nearly to the extent as that seen in the inshore patch reefs. On August 9th and 17th, 2005, these two sites were visited and monitored colonies were examined and their condition documented. At this time, some paling of A. agaricites was occurring. When sites were visited again on September 2nd, colonies of A. agaricites, M. alcicornis, M. complanata, S. radians, and S. siderea were noted to be bleaching. At total of 30% of monitored colonies at French Reef and 9% of monitored colonies at Little Grecian were experiencing some bleaching. 8% at French Reef and 1% at Little Grecian were totally bleached. When these sites were visited again on September 7th, the condition of the bleached colonies had not changed and no new bleaching had occurred. Temperature readings in degrees Celsius recorded during each site visit were as follows: 8/9/05: French Reef; 1m: 30.6, 5m: 30.6, 10m: 30.6 Little Grecian: 1m: 31.2, 5m: 30.9 8/17/05: French Reef; 1m: 30.9, 5m: 30.8, 10m: 30.9 Little Grecian: 1m: 31.3, 5m: 31.3 9/2/05: French Reef; 1m: 29.6, 5m: 29.5, 10m: 29.5 Little Grecian: 1m: 29.7, 5m: 29.4 9/7/05: French Reef; 1m: 29.2, 5m: 29.3, 10m: 29.3 Little Grecian: 1m: 29.1, 5m: 29.1 Biscayne National Park Inshore Patch Reefs (Tyler B. Smith) On September 10th, 2005, A total of eight 10 meter transects were haphazardly laid at several inshore patch reef sites in Biscayne National Park. Three transects in the vicinity of Marker 9, two near Marker 13, and three in the area of Bache Shoals were conducted. Coral colonies that were under the line were recorded and their condition was evaluated. Condition categories were: okay, slightly pale (lightened), pale (very lightened), partial bleaching (patches of total bleaching), and bleached (100% w/o zooxanthellae color). Of the colonies measured [89 colonies, 10 species (incl. Palythoa caribaeorum)] 11% were normal and 89% exhibited some bleaching (30% were totally bleached and 58% had paling or patchy bleaching). In the transects, species affected were Agaricia agaracites, Diploria clivosa, Diploria strigosa, Montastrea annularis, Porites asteroides, Porites porites, Sidereastrea siderea, Stephanocoenia mechellini and Palythoa sp. Species unaffected were Dichocoenia stokesii Outside the transect, species affected were Acropora cervicornis (A. palmata was not seen at the reefs) and Montastrea cavernosa, Millepora complanata, M. alcicornis, Erythropodium caribaeorum (encrusting gorgonian) and Briaream asbestinum. Species that were unaffected included Eusmilia fastigiata. ***** Inquiries regarding the middle Keys inshore patch reef sites and upper Keys offshore reef sites may be directed to Marilyn Brandt (mbrandt at rsmas.miami.edu). For information regarding the inshore patch reef sites of Biscayne National Park contact Tyler Smith (tsmith at rsmas.miami.edu). Marilyn E. Brandt National Center for Caribbean Coral Reef Research (NCORE) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) University of Miami 4600 Rickenbacker Cswy. Miami, FL 33149 ? Ph. 305.421.4827? Fx. 305.421.4910 www.ncoremiami.org From martin.pecheux at free.fr Mon Sep 12 04:55:55 2005 From: martin.pecheux at free.fr (Martin =?iso-8859-1?Q?P=EAcheux?=) Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2005 08:55:55 -0000 Subject: [Coral-List] Palythoa bleaching ?? and ascidians ???? Message-ID: <41428AAA.C748985B@free.fr> Dear divers, Edwin Ervin (email the 9/9/05) mentions Palythoa caribbaeorum as bleaching in Puerto Rico. I had just prepared this email few days before: I did not read a mention of bleaching of Palythoa spp. since a very long time. In the 1980s to around ~1995, many publications quoted it as bleaching, and often the worst. Would it be a focus of observers on hard corals? or are they less? or would have they adapted? or whatever ? I attach some importance as they have the symbionts in the ectoderm, so deducing less O2 or O. radicals concentration, shorter CO2/HCO3 pathway, in particular during bleaching doldrum/low water agitation time (or could it be the reverse?). Even anecdotical reports are wellcome. Also, there is still just one report of bleaching of prochordate Ascidians (in didemids), symbiotic with the strange "prokaryotic-eukaryotic" Prochloron. Would some body have also observed it ? (in GOREAU, T. J., and HAYES, R. L., 1995. Coral reef bleaching in the South Central Pacific during 1994. Coral Reef Initiative, US Dept. State, Washington DC, USA. 201pp) Thanks observers, Dr. Martin P?cheux Institut des Foraminif?res Symbiotiques 16, rue de la Fontaine de l'Esp?rance, 92160 Antony, France martin.pecheux at free.fr +33(0) 8711 804 32 Publications at www.reefbase.org in which Review on Reef Bleaching, 214p. (Martin P?cheux means King-Fishex. I am still not Web footed) XX % REDUCTION OF HUMAN CO2 SOURCES IN YEAR 20XX From eweil at caribe.net Mon Sep 12 09:51:57 2005 From: eweil at caribe.net (EWeil) Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2005 09:51:57 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Bleaching and White Plague-II Message-ID: We are observing ans monitoring similar bleaching conditions in the shallow reef areas (above 12 m) off La Parguera, southwest coast of PR to what E. Hernandez reported for the eatern PR. Most large colonies of Montastraea faveolata, M. annularis, Colpophyllia natans, Diploria strigosa and D. labyrinthyformis, Dendrogyra cylindrus, Undaria agaricites, Leptoseris cucullata, Agaricia lamarcki, Porites porites, P. furcata, P. divaricata, SIderastrea siderea are the most affected within the hard corals. Millepora spp. Erythropodium caribbaeorum, Palythoa caribbaeorum, and many plexaurid octocorals, are also bleached. Deep reefs at the shelf edge and deep areas of coastal reefs are not showing bleaching signd yet. However, at the shelf edge (20 m) we have started to see a significant number of colonies (M. faveolata, D. labyrinthiformis, D. strigosa, and C. natans) with signs of white plague type II. Saludos! EW Dr. Ernesto Weil Department of Marine Sciences University of Puerto Rico PO BOX 3208 Lajas PR 00667 Pho: (787) 899-2048 x. 241 Fax: (787) 899-5500 - 2630 ----- Original Message ----- From: Hernandez Edwin Sent: 9/9/2005 9:30:24 PM To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov Subject: [Coral-List] Major bleaching event off eastern Puerto Rico > Hola! > > This short notice is to provide a brief report of a > major bleaching event actually occurring off the > eastern coast of Puerto Rico. Part of our diving team > at the UPR-Coral Reef Research Group was out in the > field today and found that minor bleaching we > documented about two weeks ago or so has become more > intense. > > According to Prof. Carlos Toledo, from our diving > team, between 50 and 75% of the corals at Cayo Largo > (off Fajardo) and Isla Pi?ero (off Ceiba) are heavily > bleached. Most Montastraea spp., Diploria spp., > Siderastrea siderea, Porites spp., Agaricia spp., > Millepora spp., and other species were documented with > total or nearly total bleaching. > > In addition, many plexaurid octocoral colonies, > encrusting gorgonians (Erythropodium caribbaeorum) and > zoanthids (Palythoa caribbaeorum) were also > significantly bleached. > > There is no quantitative data at this stage, but > divers will be returning to these sites tomorrow and > next week to collect quantitative data. > > A summary report will be submitted sometime within the > next few days. > > SST is around 29.5 to 30.0C. Doldrum-like conditions > have been nearly prevalent in the area during the last > few weeks preceeding bleaching. > > Saludos! > > Edwin > > Edwin A. Hern?ndez-Delgado, Ph.D. > Affiliate Researcher > > University of Puerto Rico > Department of Biology > Coral Reef Research Group > P.O. Box 23360 > San Juan, Puerto Rico 00931-3360 > Tel (787) 764-0000, x-4855 > Fax (787) 764-2610 > e-mail: coral_giac at yahoo.com > > > > > ______________________________________________________ > Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. > http://store.yahoo.com/redcross-donate3/ > _______________________________________________ > Coral-List mailing list > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list From ritchie at mote.org Mon Sep 12 10:11:14 2005 From: ritchie at mote.org (Kim Ritchie) Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2005 10:11:14 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Bleaching in the Lower Florida Keys Message-ID: <43258C82.5080606@mote.org> Please note that moderate to high bleaching was observed in the Lower Florida Keys (Looe Key Reef) on September 9. In addition, there were numerous Acropora palmata mortalities observed at this site. Two areas in the Upper Keys regions (Molasses Reef and White Banks), observed on September 10, displayed relatively low levels of bleaching. See below for bleaching and A. palmata mortality details: *Looe Key/Lower Keys* September 9, 2005 An estimated 30-40% of live coral cover was observed bleached, including the following species: Montastrea annularis ? 100% bleaching of all individuals. M. faveolata ? mottled and top region bleaching in 30-40% of individuals. M. cavernosa ? paling/mottled bleaching of 50%. Porites astreoides, P. furcata, P. divaricata ? 100% bleaching of 10% of individuals. Diploria strigosa ? 100% bleaching observed on 50% of colonies. Diploria clivosa ? 100% bleaching on 20% of colonies. Palythoa caribaeorum ? 100% bleached in 60% of live cover. Acropora palmata ? Approximately 80% mortality of 1998 post hurricane Georges recruits. 40% dead may be due to earlier Hurricane Dennis and later Hurricane Katrina scouring. 40% displayed mottled bleaching. Almost no unaffected colonies were observed, with the exception of a few small 1-2 year recruits. Of the 80% dead, numerous had tips with green secondary overgrowth, mid regions with yellow overgrowth, and recently lost lower regions white, with no tissue present. Live tissue was generally observed only at the colony base. Note that this may be similar to disease symptoms described by Dana Williams and Margaret Miller in mid-July on Upper Keys reefs. Numerous less prevalent species were affected. *Molasses Reef/Upper Keys* September 10, 2005 Palythoa caribaeorum ?mottled to total bleaching Stony corals ? no totally bleached colonies were observed. 30-40% of live cover observed with paling to mottled bleaching. Millipora alcicornis and M. complanata - 100% bleaching in 10% of individuals; paling in 30% of M. complanata. *White Banks/Upper Keys* September 10, 2005 Palythoa caribaeorum ? mottled to total bleaching Stony corals ? no totally bleached colonies were observed, but 30-40% with paling to mottled bleaching Acropora cervicornis ? bleaching on surface-facing portions of colonies. Millipora alcicornis and M. complanata - 100% bleaching in 10% of individuals; paling in 30% of M. complanata. From Jim.Hendee at noaa.gov Mon Sep 12 16:33:02 2005 From: Jim.Hendee at noaa.gov (Jim Hendee) Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2005 16:33:02 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] postings Message-ID: <4325E5FE.8090509@noaa.gov> Hey, Team! I just wanted to remind you that you have to be subscribed to coral-list in order to post a message, and that if you try to post from a different e-mail address, the software of course has no clue and marks you as a non-subscriber, and the message bounces. The moral of the story is to post a message from the e-mail address you are subscribed under if you want the message to make it through the gauntlet. Also, remember that you shouldn't post any message that has a price for something or a service, as that could be construed as a commercial advertisement, which we as a government agency can't do. Finally, please do not try to post messages that say, for instance, "I'm looking for Joe Schmo; anybody know where I can find him?" Ol' Joe may not want anybody blasting him with unsolicited e-mail addresses. That is all for now...at least until I think of something else to gripe about... :) Cheers, Jim coral-list admin From llauck at wcs.org Mon Sep 12 16:05:58 2005 From: llauck at wcs.org (Liz Lauck) Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2005 16:05:58 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Position Opening: WCS Marine Program Message-ID: Wildlife Conservation Society Papua New Guinea Marine Program Coordinator Position September 12, 2005 The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) seeks a Program Coordinator for its Marine Program in Papua New Guinea. WCS initiated a marine conservation program in Papua New Guinea in 2001, focusing on science-based approaches to improving the management of coastal marine ecosystems, with a particular emphasis on coral reefs. The WCS Marine Program operates from a base in Kavieng, New Ireland, and currently consists of a team of ecologists, social scientists and administrative staff. The program primarily focuses on: i) Training and capacity building in marine conservation, ii) Research into traditional management, and iii) Improving the sustainability of coral harvesting for betel-nut lime production in Manus. The WCS PNG Marine Program Coordinator will be responsible for the daily management of the WCS PNG Marine Program. Duties include managing and assisting PNG Marine Program staff in conducting ongoing project activities; leading in the design and implementation of program activities; overseeing the collection, management, and analysis of data; serving as liaison between the project and partner organizations, including national and local government agencies, other NGOs, communities and stakeholder groups, and WCS ?s administrative team based in New York; and writing up and disseminating project results to local communities, governmental and non-governmental agencies, and, in collaboration with other WCS staff, publishing and presenting results in international scientific fora. Additional responsibilities include assisting in the development and execution of workplans and budgets; identifying, seeking and obtaining sources of funding; and reporting to granting bodies on the work undertaken. This position will be largely based in Kavieng, New Ireland province, and a considerable proportion of time each year will be spent working at remote field locations in New Ireland and Manus, and attending meetings in Port Moresby. The successful candidate will possess the following qualifications: ? Thorough understanding of the scientific underpinnings of marine conservation and experience in working closely with rural communities, government agencies and non-government organizations in conservation and resource management ? Experience in the implementation of community based resource management projects including scientific and technical input ? both ecological and socioeconomic and understanding of resource management issues in Melanesia ? Experience managing logistics and leading field teams in remote locations as well as extensive diving experience conducting surveys / resource assessments ? Excellent species level identification for Indo-Pacific reef fish, invertebrates and corals ? Ability to interact positively with community members government officials and members of the NGO community through sensitive consultation and consensual decision making and to implement projects in a complex cultural, social and political environment ? Proven organizational, financial and program management skills and experience writing project grants and reports to funders ? Self-motivation and an ability to work with minimal supervision ? Familiarity with PNG and fluency in PNG Tok pisin (desirable) ? Ph.D. or Masters degree in the broad area of environmental science, natural science or natural resource management is essential, particularly studies relating to marine ecosystems The WCS PNG Marine Program Coordinator position is full-time, one-year fixed term position with benefits, with the possibility of renewal. Travel from the applicant?s place of residence to Kavieng and back again will be paid for by WCS. Other travel expenses will negotiated. Please send resume and salary requirements via email to: marineprogram at wcs.org with subject heading: PNG Program Coordinator. Your resume must be written in English (in Word format) and be attached to your email. Deadline: October 14, 2005. From mbrandt at rsmas.miami.edu Mon Sep 12 15:02:34 2005 From: mbrandt at rsmas.miami.edu (Marilyn Brandt) Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2005 15:02:34 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Follow up pictures...Extensive bleaching in the Florida Keys Message-ID: <20050912190242.12C0A17889@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> As promised, please follow the link to a pdf file of pictures related to the bleaching report posted this morning: http://www.ncoremiami.org/documents/FloridaBleaching_05.pdf ***** Again... Inquiries regarding the middle Keys inshore patch reef sites and upper Keys offshore reef sites may be directed to Marilyn Brandt (mbrandt at rsmas.miami.edu). For information regarding the inshore patch reef sites of Biscayne National Park contact Tyler Smith (tsmith at rsmas.miami.edu). Marilyn E. Brandt Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) University of Miami 4600 Rickenbacker Cswy. Miami, FL 33149 From martin.pecheux at free.fr Mon Sep 12 16:17:34 2005 From: martin.pecheux at free.fr (Martin =?iso-8859-1?Q?P=EAcheux?=) Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2005 22:17:34 +0200 Subject: ASCIDIANS BLEACHING ??[Fwd: [Coral-List] Palyth Message-ID: <4325E25D.9CE6CE02@free.fr> Sorry, it was dated 2004, I know how it is lost in email list .... And thanks for those who have already responded. Dr. Martin P?cheux (IPCC Contributing Author, Expert) Institut des Foraminif?res Symbiotiques (Jussieu, Universit? Paris VI) 16, rue de la Fontaine de l'Esp?rance, 92160 Antony, France martin.pecheux at free.fr +33(0) 8711 804 32 Publications at www.reefbase.org in which Review on Reef Bleaching, 214p. The 22 at 22:23 UT: Equinoxe! Moon in Ple?ades, Mars at 11? (c'est le Temps Universel. Pour la France, + 2 heures, ? 05/09/23 00:23) XX % REDUCTION OF HUMAN CO2 SOURCES IN YEAR 20XX From jreimer at jamstec.go.jp Mon Sep 12 21:03:18 2005 From: jreimer at jamstec.go.jp (James Reimer) Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2005 10:03:18 +0900 Subject: [Coral-List] re: Palythoa/zoanthid bleaching Message-ID: <112657339869800000508@cyboze> Dear Dr. Pecheux and coral-listers, Regarding your comments on Palythoa bleaching, just a few observations (mostly anecdotal) for you. From what I have seen in southern Japan, Palythoa spp. seem to vary quite a bit even from week to week in color - often with "patchy" bleaching or whole colony bleaching in summer, with no regular or obvious distribution to the bleaching (i.e. depth, lighting etc.). However, these colonies always seem to recover. Palythoa in the Indian Ocean had been shown to be flexible in their association with Symbiodinium (see Burnett 2002), so maybe that is affecting what I have seen in the Pacific. The other observation of note is that (at least in s. Japan) Palythoa spp. live much higher up in the intertidal zone than almost any coral or zoanthid I have seen, and in tide pools where summer water temperatures regularly exceed 40C - and seem to be thriving. I would guess there is some kind of flexibility with symbionts allowing this.. Anyways, would be interested to hear about what others have seen. Cheers, James Reimer JSPS Fellow Marine Ecology and Biology Research Program JAMSTEC 2-15 Natsushima Yokosuka, Japan e-mail: jreimer at jamstec.go.jp Message: 2 Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2004 07:18:35 +0200 From: Martin P?cheux Subject: [Coral-List] Palythoa bleaching ?? and ascidians ???? To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov Message-ID: <41428AAA.C748985B at free.fr> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1; x-mac-type="54455854"; x-mac-creator="4D4F5353" Dear divers, Edwin Ervin (email the 9/9/05) mentions Palythoa caribbaeorum as bleaching in Puerto Rico. I had just prepared this email few days before: I did not read a mention of bleaching of Palythoa spp. since a very long time. In the 1980s to around ?1995, many publications quoted it as bleaching, and often the worst. Would it be a focus of observers on hard corals? or are they less? or would have they adapted? or whatever ? I attach some importance as they have the symbionts in the ectoderm, so deducing less O2 or O. radicals concentration, shorter CO2/HCO3 pathway, in particular during bleaching doldrum/low water agitation time (or could it be the reverse?). Even anecdotical reports are wellcome. Also, there is still just one report of bleaching of prochordate Ascidians (in didemids), symbiotic with the strange "prokaryotic-eukaryotic" Prochloron. Would some body have also observed it ? (in GOREAU, T. J., and HAYES, R. L., 1995. Coral reef bleaching in the South Central Pacific during 1994. Coral Reef Initiative, US Dept. State, Washington DC, USA. 201pp) Thanks observers, Dr. Martin P?heux Institut des Foraminif?es Symbiotiques 16, rue de la Fontaine de l'Esp?ance, 92160 Antony, France martin.pecheux at free.fr +33(0) 8711 804 32 Publications at www.reefbase.org in which Review on Reef Bleaching, 214p. (Martin P?heux means King-Fishex. I am still not Web footed) XX % REDUCTION OF HUMAN CO2 SOURCES IN YEAR 20XX ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Coral-List mailing list Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list From Michael.Loomis at noaa.gov Tue Sep 13 07:56:41 2005 From: Michael.Loomis at noaa.gov (Michael Loomis) Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2005 07:56:41 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Position openings- Santa Rosa, CA Message-ID: <4326BE79.D32C98E@noaa.gov> I.M. Systems Group is seeking to fill two Marine Habitat Specialist positions. These positions will be as contract support through I.M. Systems Group (www.imsg.com) for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Both positions are located in Santa Rosa, California and are available immediately. Candidates able to relocate and begin work by Sept. 26th will be given preference. The positions will pay between the upper 40?s and mid 50?s depending on the candidate?s experience and qualifications. I am looking for scientists with a B.S. minimum, and preferably an M.S., in fisheries science or marine biology/ecology. Although the positions can be filled without an M.S., the candidate will need to be strongly qualified through experience. An M.S. student with solid research experience and field experience will be considered. Specific experience preferred includes: Coastal community based restoration experience, fisheries biologist experience (salmonids preferred), processes for restoration of tidal influence to coastal habitats- especially in California, knowledge of freshwater/riverine/ocean interface processes and habitat, knowledge of California marine flora and fauna. These positions will be very competitive, but I encourage students/graduates to apply if they are interested in supporting NOAA, they have the experience necessary, and they are available to relocate and begin work in Santa Rosa, California by Sept. 26th. Please email a cover letter, resume, and at least 3 references as ONE document (MS Word preferred) directly to me at Michael.loomis at noaa.gov. Please email one additional copy to jobs at imsg.com. Indicate ?Marine Habitat Specialist? in your email subject line. Qualified candidates selected for an interview will be contacted immediately. The deadline for resumes is Sept. 23rd. The positions are available immediately and will be filled as soon as qualified candidates are identified. Candidates not contacted by Sept. 25th were not selected. However, IMSG will keep resumes on file and may contact applicants as additional positions become available. Thank you, Michael Loomis Scope of Work Marine Habitat Resources Specialist Level II Santa Rosa, California Introduction: NOAA?s Restoration Center Southwest (RCSW) is responsible for the oversight and implementation of habitat restoration projects affecting NOAA?s trust resources in California. This position will be are responsible for conducting baseline marine resource assessments, and developing and implementing projects that were funded through partnerships and/or directly funded by grants from the Community-based Restoration Program (CRP). This position will focus on estuarine habitat restoration, with an emphasis on wetland, estuarine and marine fisheries in California estuaries. This position will also support the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Program through participation in the NOAA?s Damage Assessment Restoration and Remediation Program (DARRP). The incumbent needs to have a solid understanding of estuarine fishery biology, estuarine ecology, or marine estuarine wetlands, as well as, a working knowledge of standard restoration methods, procedures and techniques for monitoring habitat and fisheries restoration effectiveness. Good written and oral communication skills are a requirement. The ability to multi-task and to work independently in a collaborative team setting is essential. Tasks and Deliverables: The contractor will work directly with the Restoration Center Supervisor (RCS) and field office staff on coordination of restoration projects under the CRP and DARRP. The contractor will also work with NOAA Fisheries Southwest Region staff to determine restoration priorities that fit with ESA listed salmonids recovery planning. A. Community-based Restoration Program Support: Project Identification: The contractor will conduct outreach efforts (meetings, presentations, coordination) with state and local governments, organizations, universities, and others as needed to identify habitat restoration opportunities. Project Evaluation and Review: The contractor shall provide technical review and evaluation of restoration project proposals submitted through the Restoration Center?s and its partner?s solicitations for proposals. These technical reviews will consist of both desktop and field evaluations to determine project feasibility; Technical assistance: The contractor shall provide technical assistance to community-based organizations in the identification, design, planning, implementation, and monitoring of habitat restoration projects. Project Oversight: The contractor shall serve as the RC?s primary lead for technical oversight of selected CRP restoration projects within selected coastal marine environments. The Incumbent shall ensure that projects are on schedule and on budget and that the RCS is routinely briefed on the progress of these projects. This deliverable also requires that all CRP funded projects have met the necessary regulatory and permitting requirements. Monitoring and Database: The contractor shall ensure that all CRP funded projects meet the minimum monitoring requirements as required by the RC, and when identified, collaborate with SWR staff on in-depth effectiveness monitoring to assess fisheries population response. Outreach: The contractor shall assist the RCSW Outreach Coordinator and RC HQ as needed to develop media information and other outreach activities to publicize the efforts of the program and individual projects. B. DARP Program Support: DARRP Technical Support: The contractor, as needed, will provide technical and written support for NRDA events as part of the DARRP Team. Deliverable(S): The contractor will provide technical and written assistance in support of the DARRP. Assignments may include, but are not limited to, assisting with the NEPA process, developing resource and damage assessments, restoration and monitoring strategies, and assisting with contract implementation and oversight. Deliverable(s): The contractor may be asked to conduct technical analysis and provide professional opinions and recommendations for remediation of NRDA cases. -- Michael Loomis I. M. Systems Group Program Manager NOAA Office of Coast Survey NOAA Office of Response and Restoration 1315 East West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone (cell-primary): 301-395-2889 Phone (office): 301-713-0388 ext. 122 Email: Michael.Loomis at noaa.gov From Walt.Jaap at MyFWC.com Tue Sep 13 08:20:21 2005 From: Walt.Jaap at MyFWC.com (Jaap, Walt) Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2005 08:20:21 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] re: Palythoa/zoanthid bleaching Message-ID: In the region of the Florida Keys to as far north as Stuart, Florida (24.4 to 27.1 N latitude) Palythoa is a common constituent of the shallow reefs. Since the 1970s, when seawater temperatures approach 30 degrees C, Palythoa becomes pale yellow to white. It often times retracts the polyps to the point that they are hardly visible. It is one of the first sentinels of a bleaching episode. When temperatures exceed 31 degrees C, it turns ghost white. We tend to refer to the common species in our region as Palythoa mammillosa, please see: Cairns, S.A., et al., 2002. Common and scientific names of aquatic invertebrates from the United States and Canada: Cnidaria and Ctenophora. Second Edition. American Fisheries Society. Special Publication 28. 115 pages. -----Original Message----- From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov [mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov] On Behalf Of James Reimer Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 9:03 PM To: Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov Subject: [Coral-List] re: Palythoa/zoanthid bleaching Dear Dr. Pecheux and coral-listers, Regarding your comments on Palythoa bleaching, just a few observations (mostly anecdotal) for you. From what I have seen in southern Japan, Palythoa spp. seem to vary quite a bit even from week to week in color - often with "patchy" bleaching or whole colony bleaching in summer, with no regular or obvious distribution to the bleaching (i.e. depth, lighting etc.). However, these colonies always seem to recover. Palythoa in the Indian Ocean had been shown to be flexible in their association with Symbiodinium (see Burnett 2002), so maybe that is affecting what I have seen in the Pacific. The other observation of note is that (at least in s. Japan) Palythoa spp. live much higher up in the intertidal zone than almost any coral or zoanthid I have seen, and in tide pools where summer water temperatures regularly exceed 40C - and seem to be thriving. I would guess there is some kind of flexibility with symbionts allowing this.. Anyways, would be interested to hear about what others have seen. Cheers, James Reimer JSPS Fellow Marine Ecology and Biology Research Program JAMSTEC 2-15 Natsushima Yokosuka, Japan e-mail: jreimer at jamstec.go.jp Message: 2 Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2004 07:18:35 +0200 From: Martin P?cheux Subject: [Coral-List] Palythoa bleaching ?? and ascidians ???? To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov Message-ID: <41428AAA.C748985B at free.fr> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1; x-mac-type="54455854"; x-mac-creator="4D4F5353" Dear divers, Edwin Ervin (email the 9/9/05) mentions Palythoa caribbaeorum as bleaching in Puerto Rico. I had just prepared this email few days before: I did not read a mention of bleaching of Palythoa spp. since a very long time. In the 1980s to around ?1995, many publications quoted it as bleaching, and often the worst. Would it be a focus of observers on hard corals? or are they less? or would have they adapted? or whatever ? I attach some importance as they have the symbionts in the ectoderm, so deducing less O2 or O. radicals concentration, shorter CO2/HCO3 pathway, in particular during bleaching doldrum/low water agitation time (or could it be the reverse?). Even anecdotical reports are wellcome. Also, there is still just one report of bleaching of prochordate Ascidians (in didemids), symbiotic with the strange "prokaryotic-eukaryotic" Prochloron. Would some body have also observed it ? (in GOREAU, T. J., and HAYES, R. L., 1995. Coral reef bleaching in the South Central Pacific during 1994. Coral Reef Initiative, US Dept. State, Washington DC, USA. 201pp) Thanks observers, Dr. Martin P?heux Institut des Foraminif?es Symbiotiques 16, rue de la Fontaine de l'Esp?ance, 92160 Antony, France martin.pecheux at free.fr +33(0) 8711 804 32 Publications at www.reefbase.org in which Review on Reef Bleaching, 214p. (Martin P?heux means King-Fishex. I am still not Web footed) XX % REDUCTION OF HUMAN CO2 SOURCES IN YEAR 20XX ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Coral-List mailing list Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list _______________________________________________ Coral-List mailing list Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list From dustykemp2 at hotmail.com Tue Sep 13 10:56:39 2005 From: dustykemp2 at hotmail.com (dustin kemp) Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2005 14:56:39 +0000 Subject: [Coral-List] re: Palythoa/zoanthid bleaching Message-ID: Regarding the discussion on Palythoa bleaching: Our work on Palythoa caribaeorum from three regions in south Florida (Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale and Lower Florida Keys) showed that colonies of P. caribaeorum (sampled at 3-5 m) associate with Symbiodinium types C1 and/or D1a. Experimental bleaching results revealed no significant difference in released algae based on symbiont type, but did show significant algae release based on region. The work is currently submitted and in review. Cheers, Dusty Dustin Kemp M.S. Institute of Ecology University of Georgia Athens, GA 30602 (706)542-0279 dkemp1 at uga.edu ______________________________________________________________ From: "Jaap, Walt" To: "James Reimer" , Subject: RE: [Coral-List] re: Palythoa/zoanthid bleaching Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2005 08:20:21 -0400 >In the region of the Florida Keys to as far north as Stuart, Florida (24.4 to 27.1 N latitude) Palythoa is a common constituent of the shallow reefs. Since the 1970s, when seawater temperatures approach 30 degrees C, Palythoa becomes pale yellow to white. It often times retracts the polyps to the point that they are hardly visible. It is one of the first sentinels of a bleaching episode. When temperatures exceed 31 degrees C, it turns ghost white. We tend to refer to the common species in our region as Palythoa mammillosa, please see: Cairns, S.A., et al., 2002. Common and scientific names of aquatic invertebrates from the United States and Canada: Cnidaria and Ctenophora. Second Edition. American Fisheries Society. Special Publication 28. 115 pages. > >-----Original Message----- >From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov [mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov] On Behalf Of James Reimer >Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 9:03 PM >To: Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >Subject: [Coral-List] re: Palythoa/zoanthid bleaching > >Dear Dr. Pecheux and coral-listers, > >Regarding your comments on Palythoa bleaching, just a few observations (mostly anecdotal) for you. From what I have seen in southern Japan, Palythoa spp. seem to vary quite a bit even from week to week in color - often with "patchy" bleaching or whole colony bleaching in summer, with no regular or obvious distribution to the bleaching (i.e. depth, lighting etc.). However, these colonies always seem to recover. Palythoa in the Indian Ocean had been shown to be flexible in their association with Symbiodinium (see Burnett 2002), so maybe that is affecting what I have seen in the Pacific. The other observation of note is that (at least in s. Japan) Palythoa spp. live much higher up in the intertidal zone than almost any coral or zoanthid I have seen, and in tide pools where summer water temperatures regularly exceed 40C - and seem to be thriving. I would guess there is some kind of flexibility with symbionts allowing this.. > > Anyways, would be interested to hear about what others have seen. > >Cheers, > >James Reimer >JSPS Fellow >Marine Ecology and Biology Research Program JAMSTEC >2-15 Natsushima >Yokosuka, Japan >e-mail: jreimer at jamstec.go.jp > > >Message: 2 >Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2004 07:18:35 +0200 >From: Martin P?cheux >Subject: [Coral-List] Palythoa bleaching ?? and ascidians ???? >To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >Message-ID: <41428AAA.C748985B at free.fr> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1; x-mac-type="54455854"; > x-mac-creator="4D4F5353" > >Dear divers, > >Edwin Ervin (email the 9/9/05) mentions Palythoa caribbaeorum as bleaching in Puerto Rico. I had just prepared this email few days >before: >I did not read a mention of bleaching of Palythoa spp. since a very long time. In the 1980s to around `1995, many publications quoted it as bleaching, and often the worst. Would it be a focus of observers on hard corals? or are they less? or would have they adapted? or whatever ? I attach some importance as they have the symbionts in the ectoderm, so deducing less O2 or O. radicals concentration, shorter CO2/HCO3 pathway, in particular during bleaching doldrum/low water agitation time (or could it be the reverse?). Even anecdotical reports are wellcome. > >Also, there is still just one report of bleaching of prochordate Ascidians (in didemids), symbiotic with the strange "prokaryotic-eukaryotic" Prochloron. Would some body have also observed it ? (in GOREAU, T. J., and HAYES, R. L., 1995. Coral reef bleaching in the South Central Pacific during 1994. Coral Reef Initiative, US Dept. >State, Washington DC, USA. 201pp) > >Thanks observers, > >Dr. Martin P?cheux >Institut des Foraminif?res Symbiotiques >16, rue de la Fontaine de l'Esp?rance, 92160 Antony, France martin.pecheux at free.fr >+33(0) 8711 804 32 >Publications at www.reefbase.org in which Review on Reef Bleaching, 214p. > >(Martin P?cheux means King-Fishex. I am still not Web footed) > >XX % REDUCTION OF HUMAN CO2 SOURCES IN YEAR 20XX > > >------------------------------ > >_______________________________________________ >Coral-List mailing list >Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list >_______________________________________________ >Coral-List mailing list >Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list >_______________________________________________ >Coral-List mailing list >Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list From Jim.Hendee at noaa.gov Tue Sep 13 14:42:22 2005 From: Jim.Hendee at noaa.gov (Jim Hendee) Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2005 14:42:22 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] CREWS Bleaching Research, Caribbean Message-ID: <43271D8E.5030100@noaa.gov> Greetings, Coral-Listers, With the advent of so much bleaching going on in Florida and the Caribbean, we thought we'd share with you some of our research at NOAA/AOML which seeks to help elucidate the role of the physical environment in coral bleaching. High sea temperature "sets the table," as Dr. Michael Lesser points out; however, other factors (such as high irradiance, sustained low winds, and a reduced amount of chromophoric dissolved organic matter) may contribute to the onset of bleaching, as has been pointed out in the literature. The Coral Reef Early Warning System (CREWS) was expert system software originally (1998) designed at AOML to (among other things) monitor incoming data from the SEAKEYS Network in the Florida Keys to determine when conditions theoretically conducive to coral bleaching occurred. This would enable researchers to visit and confirm or deny the event in a timely manner, thus providing feedback on these expert system models, and would also give Marine Protected Areas managers feedback on environmental stress in their MPA. In the past, data from the NOAA/NMFS/CRED stations in the Pacific, and the Australian Institute of Marine Science's Weather Network on the Great Barrier Reef were also screened with the CREWS software (and may again in the future). New stations are being added to the network by NOAA and partnering nations (e.g., Jamaica [Discovery Bay] and Australia [Heron Island]). The acronym "CREWS" evolved to describe stations installed by NOAA for which input was to be screened by the CREWS software. New research instrumentation has been added within the last two years to the AOML/CREWS station at the Caribbean Marine Research Center (a NOAA/NURP partner) in the Bahamas to further elucidate the physiological mechanisms behind coral bleaching: a Pulse-Amplitude-Modulating (PAM) fluorometer, a pCO2 sensor, and light sensors (PAR, and UV at three different wavelengths, above and below water). The PAM-fluorometer has been an especially exciting instrument, as it is the only instrument that measures coral stress in near real-time (hourly) on four different species (or two, with two replicates), and thus can give us an almost instantaneous recording of stress when it happens in the coral. This will enable us to determine with higher confidence which physical stresses (of the ones we measure) were present at the precise time of physiological stress. We are also seeing some interesting trends in carbon dioxide on the reef throughout the year. As you can imagine, the key to refining a bleaching model is determining which species bleach when, so that we can compare the physical data with the biological observations. To that end we have enjoined research partners to help us tabulate the biological data. An example of a recent report from CMRC is attached at the bottom of this message. If you have observations for any of these sites, we'd love to hear from you. Later this year we will analyze the biological observations together with the records from the physical environment. The CREWS "alerts" (research models) for this year's alerts are archived at this URL: http://www.coral.noaa.gov/noaa/icon/2005/ with subdirectories corresponding to the following stations: cmrc3 Caribbean Marine Research Center, Bahamas (CREWS) srvi1 Salt River Bay, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands (CREWS) fwyf1 Fowey Rocks, Florida Keys (SEAKEYS) mlrf1 Molasses Reef, Florida Keys (SEAKEYS) smkf1 Sombrero Reef, Florida Keys (SEAKEYS) sanf1 Sand Key, Florida Keys (SEAKEYS) Please note that these are experimental products (with some errors) and should not be read as operational products or proof that bleaching occurred at any of these spots at these particular times. These research products are designed to eventually give us a better indication of the onset of bleaching of particular species, how light and wind work with high sea temperatures in eliciting the bleaching response, and need to be refined through time. For a better indicator of MASS BLEACHING, please see the NOAA/NESDIS HotSpot products (http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/CB_indices/coral_bleaching_indices.html), which have been very successful in that regard. (Please also note that some of the point accumulators in our models did not work correctly, but will be fixed in the re-running of the models.) The hourly observations of the relevant parameters will soon be available on a Web site to be announced. However, to see the daily output from the Bahamas, see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/crw/crw_data_cmrc3_Web_72.html Of special note, see the reduced fluorescent yield measured at PAM head #2, indicating severe stress in photosystem II on that particular coral (Siderastrea), which is currently bleaching. Other station data may be seen by visiting Ye Olde CHAMP (Coral Health and Monitoring Program) Page and click on relevant links: http://www.coral.noaa.gov Cheers, The AOML/CREWS Team and Collaborators: Jim Hendee, Erik Stabenau, Chris Langdon, Louis Florit, Jules Craynock, Mike Jankulak, Mike Shoemaker, Jeff Absten, Jeff Judas, John Halas, Billy Causey, Erich Mueller, Chris Humphrey, Dave Ward, Kevin Buch, Mike Lombardi, Catherine Booker, Jon Fagan, Joanie Kleypas, Michael Lesser, Mark Warner, Bill Fitt, Richard Zepp, and many others... ~~~~~~ Bleaching Report by Kevin Buch, CMRC ~~~~~~~~ General LSI Area Coral Bleaching Report 08 SEPT 2005 Date: 8/29/05 Site: Southeast Barracuda Rocks Location: Great Bahama Bank (Exuma region); N23.67255 W76.20221 Depth: 2-4m Water temp: approx. 31C (estimated from dive computer) Species (listed in order of bleaching prevalence): Porites porites; Millepora sp.; Sidearstrea siderea; Porites asteriodes Notes: Site consists of large exposed limestone rocks in shallow water with numerous small (<1m) and fewer medium (1-2m) sized coral heads. Initial bleaching observed beginning 8/11/05. Majority (> 75% estimate) of Millepora sp. and Porites porites colonies exhibiting bleaching by 8/29/05 Date: 8/31/05 Site: Northwest Barracuda Rocks Location: Great Bahama Bank (Exuma region); N23.71844 W76.25390 Depth: 2-4m Water temp: approx. 31C (estimated from dive computer) Species (listed in order of bleaching prevalence): Porites porites; Millepora sp.; Agaricia sp.; Porites asteriodes Notes: Site consists of large exposed limestone rock in shallow water with several submerged bommies and numerous small (<1m) and fewer medium (1-2m) sized coral heads bordered by dense seagrass. Initial bleaching observed beginning 8/11/05. Majority (> 75% estimate) of Millepora sp., Agaricia sp. and Porites porites colonies exhibiting bleaching by 8/31/05 Date: 9/6/05 Site: North Norman?s Pond Cay patch reef Location: Exuma Cays, Bahamas; N23.78972 W76.13773 Depth: 5-7m Water temp: 30.4C (YSI 85) Species (listed in order of bleaching prevalence): Agaricia sp.; Porites porites; Millepora sp.; Montastrea annularis; Diploria strigosa; (a few colonies affected of the following species: Diploria labryinthiformis; Favia fragum; Meandrina meandrites) Notes: Site is M. annularis and Agaricia sp. dominated patch reef bordered by dense seagrass. Majority (> 75% estimate) of Agaricia sp. colonies exhibiting bleaching. Moderate paling and some bleaching of Agaricia sp. and Porites porites colonies observed on 8/15/05 Date: 9/6/05 Site: NOAA CREWS Station CMRC3 (near North Norman?s Pond Cay patch reef) Location: Exuma Cays, Bahamas; N23.79067 W76.13928 Depth: 7m Water temp: 30.5C Species (in the immediate vicinity of the station-listed in order of bleaching prevalence): Agaricia sp.; Porites porites; Millepora sp.; Sidearstrea sidereal; Notes: Site is hardbottom area with numerous small (<1m) and fewer medium (1-2m) sized coral heads. PAM monitored Agaricia sp. and Siderastrea siderea colonies showing mild, limited paling on 8/30/05. Small patches of definite paling and possible bleaching on Siderastrea PAM colony and moderate bleaching of Agaricia PAM colony observed on 9/6/05. Date: 9/6/05 Site: Perry Institute for Marine Science research station dock Location: Lee Stocking Island, Exuma Cays, Bahamas; N23.77262 W76.10720 Depth: 2m Water temp: 31.1C (YSI 85) Species (listed in order of bleaching prevalence): Porites porites; Montastrea annularis; Notes: Site is limestone shoreline with scattered small (<1m) and fewer medium (1-1.5m) sized coral heads bordered by medium density seagrass/macro algae Submitted by: Kevin L. Buch Assistant Science Director Perry Institute for Marine Science Lee Stocking Island, The Bahamas T: (561) 741-0192 ext. 239 F: (561) 658-6159 E. kbuch at perryinstitute.org www.perryinstitute.org Business Address: Perry Institute for Marine Science 100 N. US Highway 1, Suite 202 Jupiter, FL 33477-5112 From jreimer at jamstec.go.jp Wed Sep 14 00:28:33 2005 From: jreimer at jamstec.go.jp (James Reimer) Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 13:28:33 +0900 Subject: [Coral-List] Re: ReRe: [CL] Palythoa bleaching References: <432781E2.19629DDC@free.fr> Message-ID: <1126672113947000005dc@cyboze> Dear Dr. Pecheux and Coral List members, First off, the Burnett reference is: Burnett WJ 2002. Longitudinal variation in algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) from the Indian Ocean zoanthid Palythoa caesia. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 234: 105-109. Let me know if you need a pdf file... As for these questions: > I knew the question of Palythoa in intertidal. Does the colonies in pools at 40?C bleach at same time of the others ???? For one side, they are bleaching at most, for the other they are in pools ? What is this story ? As I said before, it is all anecdotal, just observations I have made while doing other work in the field... The colonies all seem to be much more susceptible to bleaching in summer (June-Sept) - but I have seen bleaching in Feb in 24C water. I imagine temperarture (as usual) would play a key role, but I have also seen non-bleached dark brown colonies in hot tidepools too... Length of exposure to hot (30C plus) ocean wtaer would seem to be a key factor (like Degree Heating Week calculations perhaps). From m y limited observations the bleaching is "patchy" and rather random, within colonies and areas. As for recovery, I followed a handful of palythoa colonies that happened to be in transects I was checking monthly 2001-4, and although some of the Palythoa bleached, I saw no mortality. Again, anecdotal evidence at best, would have to do some work on a larger scale to give you any kind of answer that would be scientifically valid. I would imagine Palythoa do undergo mortality in bleaching - would be interesting to hear about it. Sorry for the lack of solid data - zoanthids aren't a hot topic evidently. Cheers, james Martin P?heux wrote: > Dear James, all, > > Interesting. > What is the reference of Burnett 02 ? > I knew the question of Palythoa in intertidal. Does the colonies in pools at 40?C bleach at same time of the others ???? For one side, they are bleaching at most, for the other they are in pools ? What is this story ? "Sentinels" as says Dustin Kemp ("sentinels" of the reefs "canaris in the coal mine" of Climate Change) > Always recovering ? I did read nothing on Palythoa recovering. Important! Confirmation by others ? > > Thanks, > > Dr. Martin P?heux > Institut des Foraminif?es Symbiotiques > (Jussieu, Universit? Paris VI) > 16, rue de la Fontaine de l'Esp?ance, 92160 Antony, France > martin.pecheux at free.fr > +33(0) 8711 804 32 > Publications at www.reefbase.org in which Review on Reef Bleaching, 214p. > > The 22 at 22:23 UT: Equinoxe! Moon in Ple?des, Mars at 11? (c'est le Temps Universel. Pour la France, + 2 heures, ? 05/09/23 00:23) > > XX % REDUCTION OF HUMAN CO2 SOURCES IN YEAR 20XX > > James Reimer ********************************************************* JSPS Research Fellow Research Program for Marine Biology and Ecology Extremobiosphere Research Center Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) Headquarters 2-15 Natsushima Yokosuka, Kanagawa JAPAN Tel: ++81-46-867-9524 Fax: ++81-46-867-9525 e-mail: jreimer at jamstec.go.jp URL: http://www.jamstec.go.jp/ ********************************************************* From martin.pecheux at free.fr Tue Sep 13 21:50:27 2005 From: martin.pecheux at free.fr (Martin =?iso-8859-1?Q?P=EAcheux?=) Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 03:50:27 +0200 Subject: [Coral-List] ReRe: [CL] Palythoa bleaching References: <112657339869800000508@cyboze> Message-ID: <432781E2.19629DDC@free.fr> Dear James, all, Interesting. What is the reference of Burnett 02 ? I knew the question of Palythoa in intertidal. Does the colonies in pools at 40?C bleach at same time of the others ???? For one side, they are bleaching at most, for the other they are in pools ? What is this story ? "Sentinels" as says Dustin Kemp ("sentinels" of the reefs "canaris in the coal mine" of Climate Change) Always recovering ? I did read nothing on Palythoa recovering. Important! Confirmation by others ? Thanks, Dr. Martin P?cheux Institut des Foraminif?res Symbiotiques (Jussieu, Universit? Paris VI) 16, rue de la Fontaine de l'Esp?rance, 92160 Antony, France martin.pecheux at free.fr +33(0) 8711 804 32 Publications at www.reefbase.org in which Review on Reef Bleaching, 214p. The 22 at 22:23 UT: Equinoxe! Moon in Ple?ades, Mars at 11? (c'est le Temps Universel. Pour la France, + 2 heures, ? 05/09/23 00:23) XX % REDUCTION OF HUMAN CO2 SOURCES IN YEAR 20XX James Reimer a *crit : > Dear Dr. Pecheux and coral-listers, > > Regarding your comments on Palythoa bleaching, just a few observations (mostly anecdotal) for you. From what I have seen in southern Japan, Palythoa spp. seem to vary quite a bit even from week to week in color - often with "patchy" bleaching or whole colony bleaching in summer, with no regular or obvious distribution to the bleaching (i.e. depth, lighting etc.). However, these colonies always seem to recover. Palythoa in the Indian Ocean had been shown to be flexible in their association with Symbiodinium > (see Burnett 2002), so maybe that is affecting what I have seen in the Pacific. The other observation of note is that (at least in s. Japan) Palythoa spp. live much higher up in the intertidal zone than almost any coral or zoanthid I have seen, and in tide pools where summer water temperatures regularly exceed 40C - and seem to be thriving. I would guess there is some kind of flexibility with symbionts allowing this.. > > Anyways, would be interested to hear about what others have seen. > > Cheers, > > James Reimer > JSPS Fellow > Marine Ecology and Biology Research Program > JAMSTEC > 2-15 Natsushima > Yokosuka, Japan > e-mail: jreimer at jamstec.go.jp > > Message: 2 > Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2004 07:18:35 +0200 > From: Martin P?cheux > Subject: [Coral-List] Palythoa bleaching ?? and ascidians ???? > To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > Message-ID: <41428AAA.C748985B at free.fr> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1; x-mac-type="54455854"; > x-mac-creator="4D4F5353" > > Dear divers, > > Edwin Ervin (email the 9/9/05) mentions Palythoa caribbaeorum as > bleaching in Puerto Rico. I had just prepared this email few days > before: > I did not read a mention of bleaching of Palythoa spp. since a very long > time. In the 1980s to around $B!A(B1995, many publications quoted it as > bleaching, and often the worst. Would it be a focus of observers on hard > corals? or are they less? or would have they adapted? or whatever ? I > attach some importance as they have the symbionts in the ectoderm, so > deducing less O2 or O. radicals concentration, shorter CO2/HCO3 pathway, > in particular during bleaching doldrum/low water agitation time (or > could it be the reverse?). Even anecdotical reports are wellcome. > > Also, there is still just one report of bleaching of prochordate > Ascidians (in didemids), symbiotic with the strange > "prokaryotic-eukaryotic" Prochloron. Would some body have also observed > it ? (in GOREAU, T. J., and HAYES, R. L., 1995. Coral reef bleaching in > the South Central Pacific during 1994. Coral Reef Initiative, US Dept. > State, Washington DC, USA. 201pp) > > Thanks observers, > > Dr. Martin P$BsD(Bheux > Institut des Foraminif$BoS(Bes Symbiotiques > 16, rue de la Fontaine de l'Esp$BqS(Bance, 92160 Antony, France > martin.pecheux at free.fr > +33(0) 8711 804 32 > Publications at www.reefbase.org in which Review on Reef Bleaching, > 214p. > > (Martin P$BsD(Bheux means King-Fishex. I am still not Web footed) > > XX % REDUCTION OF HUMAN CO2 SOURCES IN YEAR 20XX > From beliamall at dhivehinet.net.mv Wed Sep 14 12:32:20 2005 From: beliamall at dhivehinet.net.mv (William Allison) Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 12:32:20 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Re: ReRe: [CL] Palythoa bleaching References: <432781E2.19629DDC@free.fr> <1126672113947000005dc@cyboze> Message-ID: <008b01c5b94b$6a40e210$6700a8c0@Billiam> Hello James and others, Palythoa in Maldives bleaches early but seems to be resilient. ----- Original Message ----- From: "James Reimer" To: Cc: Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 12:28 AM Subject: [Coral-List] Re: ReRe: [CL] Palythoa bleaching > Dear Dr. Pecheux and Coral List members, > > First off, the Burnett reference is: > > Burnett WJ 2002. Longitudinal variation in algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) from the Indian Ocean zoanthid Palythoa caesia. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 234: 105-109. Let me know if you need a pdf file... > > As for these questions: > > I knew the question of Palythoa in intertidal. Does the colonies in pools at 40?C bleach at same time of the others ???? For one side, they are bleaching at most, for the other they are in pools ? What is this story ? > > As I said before, it is all anecdotal, just observations I have made while doing other work in the field... The colonies all seem to be much more susceptible to bleaching in summer (June-Sept) - but I have seen bleaching in Feb in 24C water. I imagine temperarture (as usual) would play a key role, but I have also seen non-bleached dark brown colonies in hot tidepools too... Length of exposure to hot (30C plus) ocean wtaer would seem to be a key factor (like Degree Heating Week calculations perhaps). From m > y limited observations the bleaching is "patchy" and rather random, within colonies and areas. > > As for recovery, I followed a handful of palythoa colonies that happened to be in transects I was checking monthly 2001-4, and although some of the Palythoa bleached, I saw no mortality. Again, anecdotal evidence at best, would have to do some work on a larger scale to give you any kind of answer that would be scientifically valid. I would imagine Palythoa do undergo mortality in bleaching - would be interesting to hear about it. > > Sorry for the lack of solid data - zoanthids aren't a hot topic evidently. > > Cheers, > > james > > Martin P?heux wrote: > > Dear James, all, > > > > Interesting. > > What is the reference of Burnett 02 ? > > I knew the question of Palythoa in intertidal. Does the colonies in pools at 40?C bleach at same time of the others ???? For one side, they are bleaching at most, for the other they are in pools ? What is this story ? "Sentinels" as says Dustin Kemp ("sentinels" of the reefs "canaris in the coal mine" of Climate Change) > > Always recovering ? I did read nothing on Palythoa recovering. Important! Confirmation by others ? > > > > Thanks, > > > > Dr. Martin P?heux > > Institut des Foraminif?es Symbiotiques > > (Jussieu, Universit? Paris VI) > > 16, rue de la Fontaine de l'Esp?ance, 92160 Antony, France > > martin.pecheux at free.fr > > +33(0) 8711 804 32 > > Publications at www.reefbase.org in which Review on Reef Bleaching, 214p. > > > > The 22 at 22:23 UT: Equinoxe! Moon in Ple?des, Mars at 11? (c'est le Temps Universel. Pour la France, + 2 heures, ? 05/09/23 00:23) > > > > XX % REDUCTION OF HUMAN CO2 SOURCES IN YEAR 20XX > > > > > James Reimer > ********************************************************* > JSPS Research Fellow > Research Program for Marine Biology and Ecology > Extremobiosphere Research Center > Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology > (JAMSTEC) > Headquarters > 2-15 Natsushima > Yokosuka, Kanagawa > JAPAN > Tel: ++81-46-867-9524 > Fax: ++81-46-867-9525 > e-mail: jreimer at jamstec.go.jp > URL: http://www.jamstec.go.jp/ > ********************************************************* > _______________________________________________ > Coral-List mailing list > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list > From Chris.Jeffrey at noaa.gov Wed Sep 14 10:27:34 2005 From: Chris.Jeffrey at noaa.gov (Chris Jeffrey) Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 10:27:34 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Coral Reef Ecosystem Database Available online Message-ID: <43283356.3050803@noaa.gov> Online Coral Reef Database to Assist Researchers and Managers in Caribbean Scientists from the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Sciences? Biogeography Program recently went public with an online database to serve ecosystem monitoring data gathered over the last five years from field studies in southwestern Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Researchers, coastal managers, and interested members of the public can download the entire dataset, or can query the database to provide specialized reports on species biomass, richness, abundance, and diversity. In addition to the data products, a second querying function was developed to serve both fish and habitat photos that have been collected over time. These datasets are already being utilized by NCCOS' partner agencies in the Caribbean region, including local federal and territorial government agencies, universities and NGOs to improve management of these regions. By providing online access to the datasets they will be readily available to an even greater audience. For more information, contact Chris Caldow at (301) 713-3028 x 164 or Chris.Caldow at noaa.gov . You can access the database directly by navigating to http://biogeo.nos.noaa.gov/projects/reef_fish/ and clicking on ?Reef Fish Database?. -- ******************************************************** Christopher F.G. Jeffrey, Ph.D. Coral Reef Ecologist NOAA/NOS/NCCOS/CCMA/Biogeography Program 301.713.3028 x-134 (Tel) 301.713.4384 (Fax) http://biogeo.nos.noaa.gov/projects/reef_fish/ Mailing Address: National Ocean Service 1305 East-West Hwy, SSMC-4, N/SCI-1, #9213 Silver Spring, MD 20910-3281 ******************************************************* From Felix.Martinez at noaa.gov Wed Sep 14 14:36:12 2005 From: Felix.Martinez at noaa.gov (Felix Martinez) Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 14:36:12 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] NOAA's Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies 2006 Solicitation Re-opens Message-ID: <43286D9C.4030303@noaa.gov> *Solicitation for FY 2006 Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies proposals re-opened!* NOAA's Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research (CSCOR) announces the re-opening of the solicitation of proposals for the FY 2006 Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (CRES) Program. This program was originally solicited in the Federal Register on June 30, 2005, as part of the June, 2005 NOAA Omnibus solicitation. The original deadline for receipt of proposals was 3 p.m., EST, on September 1, 2005. Due to Hurricane Katrina, NOAA re-opens the solicitation period to provide the public more time to submit proposals. _The new deadline for the receipt of proposals is 3 p.m., EST, on October 12, 2005, for both electronic and paper applications._ All other requirements for this solicitation remain the same. Applications that were submitted between September 1, 2005 and the date of publication of this notice will be considered timely. To view this re-opening announcement, please visit the following web link: (http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/05-18231.htm). Applicants that had already submitted proposals to comply with the September 1, 2005 deadline are welcomed, but not required, to re-submit their proposals. _Instructions for new and re-submissions to Grants.gov under this new announcement will be posted within the next several days in CSCOR's website (www.cop.noaa.gov)_. In the meantime, instructions on how to prepare the proposals can still be found under the original CRES 2006 announcement in the following web link: (http://fedgrants.gov/EPSData/DOC/Synopses/1250/NOS-NCCOS-2006-2000240/1_CRES%26%23032%3B2006.pdf). For more information about the FY 2006 CRES Program and the re-opening of the solicitation for proposals please contact: Dr. Michael Dowgiallo (301-713-3338 x161, michael.dowgiallo at noaa.gov), Mr. David Hilmer (301-713-3338 x154, david.hilmer at noaa.gov), or Dr. Felix A. Martinez (301-713-3338, felix.martinez at noaa.gov) -- <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Felix A. Martinez, Ph.D. Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration N/SCI2, SSMC4 Rm. 8083 ph: 301-713-3338 x153 1305 East-West Hwy. fax: 301-713-4044 Silver Spring, MD 20910 email: felix.martinez at noaa.gov Note: The content of this message does not reflect any position of the U.S. Government or of NOAA unless otherwise specified. The information therein is only for the use of the individuals or entities for which it was intended even if addressed incorrectly. If not the intended recipient, you may not use, copy, disseminate, or distribute the message or its content unless otherwise authorized. <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< From fhinds at coastal.gov.bb Wed Sep 14 12:27:25 2005 From: fhinds at coastal.gov.bb (Fabian Hinds) Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 14:27:25 -0200 Subject: [Coral-List] Re: Coral bleaching in Barbados References: <20050914124609.603E017947@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Message-ID: <000d01c5b94d$64d18440$2100a8c0@GOV.BB> Dear Coral-list, Barbados' coral reefs have also be experiencing some bleaching. Preliminary investigations to the north of the island have revealed the following: Depths: 30 -60 ft Temp. at depth: 31C- 32C (dive computer) Species affected: Diploria strigosa, Meandrina meandrites, Siderastrea siderea, Montastrea annularis, and Diploria labryinthiformis Similar such reports have been made for the southern portion of the west coast. Best regards, Fabian Hinds Marine Biologist (Ag) Coastal Zone Management Unit Phone: 228-5950/51/52 Fax: 228-5956 From coral_giac at yahoo.com Thu Sep 15 00:45:45 2005 From: coral_giac at yahoo.com (Hernandez Edwin) Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 21:45:45 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Coral-List] Palythoa bleaching in Puerto Rico Message-ID: <20050915044545.2506.qmail@web30402.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Dear listers: Hola! Just following on our previous posting regarding bleaching in PR. We now have documentation of bleaching (either personal data or reports) at Palominos Island, Sur de Pando Rock, Palominitos Island, and Cayo Largo, off Fajardo, in NE PR. Also, from Isla Pineros, off Ceiba; and from Playa Larga, Playa Zoni and Punta Soldado, Culebra Island. There are also reports from La Parguera as well, very similar to those previously documented by E. Weil. Also, we got already a report of "major bleaching" from St. Croix, USVI. Quantitative data is being collected using digital video images and high resolution digital photography using a combination of rapid assessment methods and fixed transects. We also documented the first ever bleached colony of Mussa angulosa in eastern PR at Cayo Largo and also extensive thickets of Acropora cervicornis 100% bleached. This site will be revisited tomorrow for reassessment and tagging. Regarding Palythoa caribbaeorum bleaching, and following up on the interesting discussion about that species, with the exception of a single colony at Sur de Pando Rock (La Cordillera Natural Reserve, off Fajardo), 100% of the assessed P. caribbaeorum at each site were bleached. But interesting, we documented several colonies dying with some evident signs of tissue necrosis. Polyps in the vast majority of the colonies were retracted. We plan to start some tagging studies at selected sites to assess the fate of some bleached corals (and non-bleached controls, if any) and plan to include some P. caribbaeorum colonies as well. Regards, Edwin Edwin A. Hern?ndez-Delgado, Ph.D. Affiliate Researcher University of Puerto Rico Department of Biology Coral Reef Research Group P.O. Box 23360 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00931-3360 Tel (787) 764-0000, x-4855 Fax (787) 764-2610 e-mail: coral_giac at yahoo.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From seabeyond at freenet.de Thu Sep 15 10:13:38 2005 From: seabeyond at freenet.de (Holger Anlauf) Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2005 16:13:38 +0200 Subject: [Coral-List] Protein and Organic Carbon contents of Planulae and primary Polyp Message-ID: <000e01c5b9ff$c7a78210$835c07d5@iowarnemuende.de> Dear Coral List, dear colleagues, On my Master Thesis project, I worked with planulae and primary polyps of eastern Pacific corals. For the discussion of my Thesis and interpretation of my results I am looking for comparable data of protein, organic carbon and zooxanthellae contents of planulae and primary polyps, preferably from massive species such as Porites spp. I would greatly appreciate any hints and suggestions on references or .pdf's on this subject. Thanks, in advance Holger Anlauf cand. MSc - Marine Biology, University of Rostock, Germany From coralreef at dacafe.com Thu Sep 15 10:44:52 2005 From: coralreef at dacafe.com (coralreef at dacafe.com) Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2005 07:44:52 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Coral-List] Coral bleaching in SE Costa Rica In-Reply-To: <000d01c5b94d$64d18440$2100a8c0@GOV.BB> References: <20050914124609.603E017947@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> <000d01c5b94d$64d18440$2100a8c0@GOV.BB> Message-ID: <1164.131.247.137.119.1126795492.squirrel@cafemail.aeccafe.com> Dear Coral-list, In a recent visit to SE Costa Rica reefs I noticed that several coral species are also experiencing some bleaching. I don't have quantitative info but I can share few pictures and anecdotal details with anybody interested. Best, Damaris Torres-Pulliza University of South Florida Institute for Marine Remote Sensing Tel: (727)553-1186 email: dtorres at seas.marine.usf.edu ----------------------------------------- Stay ahead of the information curve. Receive AEC news and jobs on your desktop daily. Subscribe today to the AEC CafeNews newsletter. [ http://www10.aeccafe.com/nl/newsletter_subscribe.php ] It's informative and essential. From coral_giac at yahoo.com Thu Sep 15 23:22:43 2005 From: coral_giac at yahoo.com (Hernandez Edwin) Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2005 20:22:43 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Coral-List] Bleaching causes mass mortality of Millepora spp. in Puerto Rico Message-ID: <20050916032243.47577.qmail@web30410.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Dear listers: Hola! Just another update from current bleaching impact rapid assessment over the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. Dives were conducted today at Palominos Island (down to 25 m), Cayo Diablo (down to 8 m), and at Cayo Largo (down to 8 m). Mass bleaching has impacted so far over 20 species through the area. Additional video sampling and extensive photographic sampling was carried out today. The most striking findings: 1. Bleaching has impacted more than 90% of Montastraea annularis complex species and agaricids at each site. 2. Several black band disease infected colonies of M. annularis were observed totally bleached but still with active infections. 3. At Cayo Largo, 100% of the Acropora cervicornis population was bleached (still living). 4. At Cayo Largo we observed the first bleached colony of Acropora palmata in the region. 5. At Cayo Largo nearly 100% of the fire corals Millepora complanata and M. alcicornis have bleached, particularly in the very shallow Millepora zones (<1 m). 6. More than 90% of the shallow Millepora colonies died immediately after bleaching. Many colonies are still showing signs of tissue necrosis. 7. Similar to what happened during the 1998 bleaching event in PR, cleaning gobies (formerly Gobiosoma spp.) have nearly disappeared from totally bleached coral heads. Sorry, no quantitative data on this, but cleaning gobies behavior has apparently changed. Has anybody seen something like that before? We will be out in the field tomorrow again on southwestern PR and will provide later a brief summary of our observations. Regards, Edwin Edwin A. Hern?ndez-Delgado, Ph.D. Affiliate Researcher University of Puerto Rico Department of Biology Coral Reef Research Group P.O. Box 23360 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00931-3360 Tel (787) 764-0000, x-4855 Fax (787) 764-2610 e-mail: coral_giac at yahoo.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From coffroth at buffalo.edu Fri Sep 16 08:16:18 2005 From: coffroth at buffalo.edu (Mary Alice Coffroth) Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2005 08:16:18 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Graduate student opportunity in reef connectivity Message-ID: <432AB792.5070600@buffalo.edu> Graduate student opportunity in reef connectivity Funding is available to support a graduate student interested in studying genetic connectivity among coral populations. Interested students should be residents of a MesoAmerican country (i.e., Belize, Honduras, Guatemala or Mexico) and enrolled in a graduate program at a university in that country. Students from other Caribbean countries will be considered. Research for this project may involve travel to and SCUBA diving at various reefs throughout MesoAmerica and training in genetic analysis of scleractinian corals. Course work will be completed at the student's home university but laboratory training will occur in a lab in the US. Alternatively, we will accept applications for a resident of a MesoAmerican (or other Caribbean country) to enroll in the graduate program at the University at Buffalo. Previous experience in molecular techniques is not required, but candidate should demonstrate a good work ethic and be self-motivated. Support is available as early as January 2006, but can begin the summer or fall or 2006 if necessary. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Mary Alice Coffroth (coffroth at buffalo.edu) with a letter of interest and curriculum vita with names and contact info of three references. -- Dr. Mary Alice Coffroth Professor 661 Hochstetter Hall Department of Biological Sciences University at Buffalo Buffalo NY 14260 Phone: 716-645-2363 ext. 187 Fax: 716-645-2975 Email: Coffroth at buffalo.edu From hlaetitia_lh at hotmail.com Mon Sep 19 01:54:32 2005 From: hlaetitia_lh at hotmail.com (=?iso-8859-1?B?TGFldGl0aWEgaOlkb3Vpbg==?=) Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 05:54:32 +0000 Subject: [Coral-List] postdoctoral position request Message-ID: Dear Listers, I am presently seeking a postdoctoral fellow position in the field of coral reefs. I graduated with a Master?s degree in marine environmental chemistry in 2002. I am currently finishing my Ph.D thesis on ?Characterization of bioindicator species for metal contamination biomonitoring in tropical coastal environment: application to the New Caledonian lagoon ?. I am planning to defend it in March 2005 and should therefore to be available from next May. I have considerable experience in ecotoxicology, especially in metal bioaccumulation from tropical organisms, but I would be interested in extending my knowledge in coral reef ecosystem. Considering the experience I acquired in the field of radiotracer techniques and stable metal analyzes, I would like to work on the impact of anthropogenic inputs on coral reefs. I enclose a copy of my curriculum vitae at the end of this mail, which will give you further details of my career and qualifications to date. I will be happy to supply any other details you may require. Thanks for you consideration, Yours faithfully, H?douin Laetitia Marine Environment Laboratory International Atomic Energy Agency 4 quai Antoine Premier, B.P. 800 MC-98012 Monaco Cedex Phone: +(377) 97977258 Fax: +(377) 97977276 Mailto: l.hedouin at iaea.org Curriculum Vitae Laetitia H?douin I.A.E.A. 4 quai Antoine 1er, 98 000 Monaco IRD, Anse Vata, 98845 Noumea, New Caledonia Age: 26 French laetitiahedouin at yahoo.fr Cellular phone: +010 33 6 63 42 40 51 OBJECTIVE As a ambitious and hard-working scientist I am willing to apply my international scientific background and my adaptability to a post-doc in ecotoxicology. EDUCATION 2002 ? 2005 Ph.D. Student in biological oceanography at University of La Rochelle (France) Subject: ?Characterisation of bioindicator species for metal contamination biomonitoring in tropical coastal environment: application to the New Caledonian lagoon (research carried out in collaboration with the Marine Environment Laboratory - International Atomic Energy Agency, Monaco and the IRD-Noumea Center, New Caledonia) 2001 ? 2002 Master?s degree in marine environmental chemistry at the University of Bretagne Occidentale (France) 2000 - 2001 Bachelor?s degree in chemistry at the University of Montpellier II (France) SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES Publications Articles Metian M, H?douin L, Barbot C, Teyssi? J-L, Fowler SW, Goudard F, Bustamante P, Durand J-P, Pi?ri J. & M Warnau (2005). Use of radiotracer techniques to study subcellular distribution of metals and radionuclides in bivalves from the Noumea Lagoon, New Caledonia. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination & Toxicology 75:89-93 H?douin L, Metian M, Teyssi? J-L, Fowler SW, Fichez R. & M Warnau. Allometric relationships in the uptake of heavy metals by the edible tropical clam Gafrarium tumidum. Science of the Total Environment (in corrected proof) H?douin L, Metian M, Cotret O, Teyssi? J-L, Paganelli J, Fowler SW, Fichez R & M Warnau. Delineation of heavy metal uptake pathways (seawater, food and sediment) in tropical marine oysters using radiotracers (in prep.) H?douin L, Metian M, Cotret O, Teyssi? J-L, Paganelli J, Fowler SW, Fichez R & M Warnau. Biokinetics of heavy metals in a tropical marine clam exposed to seawater, sediments and food pathways (in prep.) H?douin L, Bustamante P, Pringault O, Churlaud C, Fichez R, Warnau M. Concentrations of Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn in algae and bivalves from the New Caledonia lagoon: geographical variations (in prep.) Abstracts Metian M, H?douin L, Barbot C, Cotret O, Teyssi? J-L, Fowler SW, Goudard F, Durand J-P, Bustamante P & M Warnau (2004). Subcellular partitioning of heavy metals in gills and visceral mass of bivalves from the New Caledonian lagoon. In: Rapp. Comm. Intern. Mer M?dit. 37: 223 H?douin L, Giron E, Buschiazzo E, Gomez Batista M, Metian M, Borne V, Cotret O, Teyssi? J-L, Fowler SW & M Warnau (in press). Influence of ambient dissolved metal concentration on their bioaccumulation in two tropical oysters: a radiotracer study. In: Proceedings of the Aquatic Forum 2004 IAEA Conference, Monaco (Principality of Monaco) H?douin L, Metian M, Cotret O, Teyssi? J-L, Paganelli J, Fowler SW, Fichez R & M Warnau (in press). Delineation of heavy metal uptake pathways (seawater, food and sediment) in tropical marine bivalves using metal radiotracers. In: Proceedings of the Aquatic Forum 2004 IAEA Conference, Monaco (Principality of Monaco) Metian M, H?douin L, Giron E, Buschiazzo E, Borne V, Paganelli J, Boudjenoun R, Cotret O, Teyssi? J-L, Fowler SW & M Warnau (in press). Bioaccumulation of selected heavy metals in the brown alga Lobophora variegata: a radiotracer study. In: Proceedings of the Aquatic Forum 2004 IAEA Conference, Monaco (Principality of Monaco) Communications at International Conferences H?douin L., Pringault O., Bustamante P., Fichez R. & M. Warnau. Ni Bioaccumulation in Tropical Oysters and Clams: Effect of Dissolved Ni Concentration. SETAC Europe 15th Annual Meeting ?The Raison d??tre of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry?, Lille, France 22-26 May 2005 H?douin L., Gomez Batista M., Metian M., Borne V., Cotret O., Teyssi? J.-L. & M. Warnau. Influence of Ambient Dissolved Concentration of Metals on Their Bioaccumulation in Three Marine Bivalves from New Caledonia. SETAC Europe 15th Annual Meeting ?The Raison d??tre of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry?, Lille, France 22-26 May 2005 Metian M., H?douin L., Teyssi? J.-L., Bustamante P. & M. Warnau. Bioaccumulation of selected heavy metals in the king scallop (Pecten maximus) and the black scallop (Chlamys varia) : sea water and food exposures. SETAC Europe 15th Annual Meeting ?The Raison d??tre of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry?, Lille, France 22-26 May 2005 H?douin L, Metian M, Teyssi? J-L, Cotret O, Fowler SW, Fichez R & M Warnau. Delineation of metal uptake routes in bivalves from the New Caledonia lagoon: a radiotracer study. 4th SETAC World Congress, Portland, Oregon (USA) 14-18 November 2004 Metian M, H?douin L, Giron E, Buschiazzo E, Borne V, Cotret O, Teyssi? J-L, Fowler SW & M Warnau. Bioaccumulation of selected heavy metal radiotracers in the brown alga Lobophora Variegata (Lamouroux). Int. Conf. On Isotopes in Environmental Studies - Aquatic Forum 2004, IAEA, Monaco, 25-29 Oct 2004 H?douin L, Giron E, Buschiazzo E, Gomez Batista M, Metian M, Cotret O, Teyssi? JL, Fowler SW & M Warnau. Influence of ambient dissolved metal concentration on bioaccumulation in two tropical oysters: a radiotracer study. Int. Conf. on Isotopes in Environmental Studies - Aquatic Forum 2004, IAEA, Monaco, 25-29 Oct 2004 H?douin L, Metian M, Cotret O, Teyssi? J-L, Paganelli J, Fowler SW, Fichez R & M Warnau. Delineation of heavy metal uptake pathways (seawater, food and sediment) in tropical marine bivalves using metal radiotracers. Int. Conf. On Isotopes in Environmental Studies - Aquatic Forum 2004, IAEA, Monaco, 25-29 Oct 2004 Metian M, H?douin L, Barbot C, Cotret O, Teyssi? J-L, Fowler SW, Goudard F, Durand J-P, Bustamante P & M Warnau. Subcellular partitioning of heavy metals in gills and visceral mass of bivalves from the New Caledonian lagoon. 37th CIESM Congress, 7-11 Jun 2004, Barcelona (Spain) H?douin L, Metian M, Cotret O, Teyssi? J-L, Paganelli J, Fowler SW, Fichez R & M Warnau. Biokinetics of heavy metals in tropical organisms from the lagoon of New Caledonia: seawater, food and sediment exposure. SETAC-ASE Asia/Pacific 2003 Conf. "Solutions to Pollution", 28 Sept-1 Oct 2003, Christchurch (New Zealand) Metian M, H?douin L, Cotret O, Teyssi? J-L, Bustamante P, Fowler SW, Fichez R & M Warnau. Allometry of heavy metal bioconcentration in the tropical clam Gafrarium tumidum. SETAC-ASE Asia/Pacific 2003 Conf. "Solutions to Pollution", 28 Sept-1 Oct 2003, Christchurch (New Zealand) H?douin L, M?tian M, Cotret O, Teyssi? J-L, Paganelli J, Fowler SW, Fichez R & M Warnau. 2003. Uptake and loss kinetics of trace metals in selected organisms from the lagoon of New Caledonia. XIIIth Intern. Congress of the French Malacological Society "Molluscs in Contemporary Research ", 24-27 Jun 2003, La Rochelle (France) INTERNSHIPS 2002 Marine chemistry Internship: 6 months at the LEMAR Laboratory (European University Institute of the Sea, Brest, French). Conducted technique to measure 30Si on a mass spectrometer TRITON Finnigan. 2001 Participation at the Oceanographic Mission ? G?osciences ? on board of the Marion Dufresne 2001 Organic chemistry internship: 4 months at the School of chemistry (Montpellier, French). Organic synthesis of prenylpyrophosphonic acids. 2000 Internship in the wine analyses department: 1 month at the Laboratoire interr?gional de la r?pression, de la consommation et des fraudes (Montpellier, French). Used of de separative chromatographic techniques (C.P.G. and DIONEX). LANGUAGES, COMPUTER AND OTHERS SKILLS Languages French: mother tongue English: intermediate level German: notions Computer Skills MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Internet Explorer. Photoshop, Autocad, Statistica, Interwinner, Endnote. Other Skills Smattering of International Environmental Law (UNITAR). HOBBIES, INTERESTS AND MISCELLANEOUS Travelling, cinema, music, Scuba diving, photography. Clear B Driving Licences, since 25 October 1993 Scuba-diving level II From Santavy.Debbie at epamail.epa.gov Mon Sep 19 10:00:50 2005 From: Santavy.Debbie at epamail.epa.gov (Santavy.Debbie at epamail.epa.gov) Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 09:00:50 -0500 Subject: [Coral-List] Post Doc Opportunity Message-ID: POST DOC ? Spatially Explicit Population and Community Modeling The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency?s, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Gulf Ecology Division in Gulf Breeze, Florida, is seeking a qualified post-doctoral candidate to join our research team in developing spatially structured models of fish populations in the Gulf of Mexico and coral reef communities in South Florida. This is a 3 year appointment, and applicants must have completed a Ph.D. in environmental, biological, or engineering sciences. Examples of appropriate experience include spatially-explicit population and community modeling, GIS, geostatistics, and advanced statistics. Successful applicants should be interested in integrating their work within a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment to address environmental management-driven research objectives. Full details may be found at http://www.epa.gov/nheerl/postdocs/ (Position # GED-08-10-05-130). Open application period: September 1, 2005 to October 31, 2005. The U.S. EPA is an equal opportunity employer. ******************************************************* Mace Barron Gulf Ecology Division US Environmental Protection Agency 1 Sabine Island Dr. Gulf Breeze, FL. 32561 850-934-9200; FAX: 850-934-2402 santavy.debbie at epa.gov From erik at notesfromtheroad.com Mon Sep 19 11:22:23 2005 From: erik at notesfromtheroad.com (Erik Gauger) Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 08:22:23 -0700 Subject: [Coral-List] Coral Help In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Dear Members of the Coral List, I am writing about the destruction of a coral reef by an unethical developer who is using the language of ecology to convince people that their golf course, built adjacent to a coral reef, is harmless to the reef and ocean. You can read the article here: http://www.notesfromtheroad.com/WestIndies/bakers_bay_intro.htm Is anyone willing to speak with me about coral and golf course specifics? Thanks, Erik Erik Gauger Editor & Photographer Notes from the Road http://www.notesfromtheroad.com Greenpeace backs our work in Guana http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/oceans Time Magazine features Notes from the Road http://www.notesfromtheroad.com/time.htm From ericpante at hotmail.com Mon Sep 19 13:21:37 2005 From: ericpante at hotmail.com (Eric Pante) Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 13:21:37 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] coral bibliography In-Reply-To: <20050909160022.1C11317931@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> References: <20050909160022.1C11317931@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Message-ID: Dear Listers, I am currently using "bibtex" as my bibliography management tool, and I am willing to share my coral literature bibliography file with who would be interested. If some of you use bibtex, and have coral / marine ecology literature in this format that you are willing to share as well, please let me know. best regards to everybody, Eric PS - I wanted to post this message on the coral-literature mailing list, but I could not find any link for it. Is this list still in activity ? Eric Pante --------------------------------------------------------------- Graduate Student in Marine Biology Grice Marine Laboratory 205 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston SC 29412 (ericpante at hotmail.com) --------------------------------------------------------------- "On ne force pas la curiosite, on l'eveille ..." Daniel Pennac From Michelle.Taylor at unep-wcmc.org Mon Sep 19 14:29:06 2005 From: Michelle.Taylor at unep-wcmc.org (Michelle Taylor) Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 19:29:06 +0100 Subject: [Coral-List] Dive Instructor required - Madagascar Message-ID: *** please reply to michelle at reefdoctor.org *** Dive Supervisor - Needed, departure mid October 2005 We are looking for one person join an active coral reef research team in Ifaty, southwest Madagascar in mid October 2005. Successful applicants for the Dive Supervisor position will be responsible for running diving operations for a small marine research and conservation project with 5 diving staff and 4-6 diving volunteer assistants. Dive training is required for volunteers and new staff members every quarter. The advertised contract is for a period of 12 months. You will be working alongside local Malagasy fishermen and women, Masters and PhD students from the IH.SM (local marine institute) and the University of Toliara, 3 other UK staff, 4 Malagasy staff and 4-6 paying volunteers. Dive supervisor responsibilities include: ? Supervise all open water diving operations ? Supervise all land based diving operations ? Record all diving operations and write up of daily dive logs ? Supervise and log equipment maintenance ? Conduct dive training and PADI courses for Malagasy students, other UK staff members and volunteer research assistants ? Conduct refresher dives for all Malagasy students, UK staff members and volunteer research assistants ? Maintain and operate compressor ? Teach and review first aid procedures to all students and staff members ? Review and improve the ReefDoctor emergency evacuation plan ? Review and improve the ReefDoctor diving rules and regulations ? Supervise repairs and maintenance of ReefDoctor boat, vehicle and generator ? Undertake underwater monitoring surveys (using pre-designed survey methodologies) of coral reefs in and around the Bay of Ranobe (taught in-country) ? Write up survey results and enter them into the ReefDoctor database ? Complete daily camp duties as directed by the Project Co-ordinator ? Conduct core ReefDoctor activities such as participating in weekly fishermen English lessons, supervising local school children especially in the water, supervise voluntary research assistants etc Applicant Requirements Outlined below are the requirements needed to apply for this position: ? Diving qualification of PADI OWSI or above (must be PADI) ? Have a minimum of 20 student certifications ? Have all your own dive equipment ? Have current Liability insurance ? Have diving emergency medical insurance (MEDEX or DAN preferred) ? Evidence of current UK HSC professional level dive medical or equivalent ? Have a first aid certificate no older than 1 year ? Experience maintaining boat and car engines, and compressors ? Financial ability to pay the cost of your international return flight to Madagascar (and internal flights should you so wish) to be reimbursed after completing 12 months / your contract ? Financial ability to cover standard travel and medical insurance ? Ability to work under pressure in basic conditions with limited facilities ? Ability to work to schedules with limited budgets ? Experience working in small teams in isolated hot humid environments ? Full driving licence ? Aged over 21 The following additional experiences and skills are desired, but not necessary, though applicants with any of the below will be considered before those without: ? Experience working in rural communities and different cultures ? PADI EFR instructor (or equivalent First Aid teaching qualification) ? Over 6 months work experience as a dive instructor in a tropical, humid climate ? Motor RYA small boat licence or boat handling experience ? Experience in conducting any type of marine survey work/ marine biology background, especially if working with Indo-Pacific coral reef species ? Additional diving and/or other qualifications relating to marine work such as DAN Instructor, VHF radio certification, equipment service technician etc. Applicant Receives ? Salary of *100 per month paid in local currency ? Accommodation and food on site (Ifaty and Toliara) ? Reimbursement of full cost for your international return flight after 12 months work/ upon completion of the contract ? Diving medical insurance ? Work liability cover ? Free internet access in Toliara ? Four weeks paid holiday ? Free in-country transport to project site What you will gain from the work Working with ReefDoctor you gain hands-on experience in a challenging, unique and underexploited area of the world. Teams change and new voluntary research assistants arrive every three months giving a fluid, dynamic element to our core team. On a personal level the successful applicant will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Malagasy culture in a way short trips do not often allow. ReefDoctor team members are often friends for years to come and Ifaty village is a beautiful location in which to wake up each morning and watch the sun set from each night? If you are interested in applying for the position please contact Michelle Taylor at michelle at reefdoctor.org and send your CV and cover letter. Applications for this position are open until 1st October 2005. _______________________________________ Michelle Taylor Marine Research Consultant UNEP- World Conservation Monitoring Centre 219 Huntingdon Road Cambridge CB3 0DL tel: +44 (0)1223 277314 fax: +44 (0)1223 277136 email : michelle.taylor at unep-wcmc.org From fhinds at coastal.gov.bb Mon Sep 19 14:58:24 2005 From: fhinds at coastal.gov.bb (Fabian Hinds) Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 16:58:24 -0200 Subject: [Coral-List] Coral Bleaching in Barbados References: <20050915160137.0641F1792A@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Message-ID: <00bf01c5bd4c$1dfb9bc0$2100a8c0@GOV.BB> Dear Coral-list, Following our inspection of the reefs in the north of the island, we conducted at least 5 reconnaissance dives on the south coast of the island. A greater diversity of species were found to have undergone bleaching. These were as follows: 1.. Mussa angulosa 2.. Millepora complanata 3.. Millepora alcicornis 4.. Erythropodium caribaeorum 5.. Plexaurella sp. (Split-pore sea rod) 6.. Porites porites 7.. Dendrogyra cylindrus 8.. Montastraea annularis 9.. Montastraea faveolata 10.. Montastraea cavernosa 11.. Porites astreoides 12.. Siderastrea siderea 13.. Diplora strigosa 14.. Diplora labyrinthiformis 15.. Meandrina meandrites 16.. Agaricia fragilis 17.. Palythoa caribaeorum Our office has also been receiving reports from fishermen and by the Fisheries Division that a number of spotted moray eels have been washing up onto the beach in some areas. I have only seen one recently dead moray on the reef during my last dive. However, I can't say that I actually saw any live one either. That issue has to be assess further. I am wondering if the elevated temperatures were reducing dissolved oxygen, hence suffocating the morays. Likewise, reports have been made that the white sea egg (Tripneustes ventricosus) has been going through a mortality event of their own. Spines have been reported to be falling off etc. Our Fisheries Division is in the process of investigating. Note to NOAA Coral Reef Watch Program The observed bleaching has been so wide-spread that almost any coordinate would do. However, below are the coordinates for 4 of 35 dive sites for which we maintain moorings for dive boats: a.. Maycocks Reef - N 13 17'32.8" W 059 39'47.5" ( most northern buoy on west coast) b.. Spawnee - N 13 13'38.4" W 059 39'08.5" (west coast) c.. Old Fort - N 13 04'39.3" W 059 36'55.2" (South coast) d.. Pieces of Eight - N 13 04'18.2" W 059 35'48.5" (south coast) I will try to compile a list of the other sites for you. Lore Unfortunately, we are unable to conduct light measurements at this time. Edwin Yes, we have seen bleaching in octocorals and zoanthids (See list above). Bleaching has been observed down to depths of 110ft on the south coast. We have assembled a team to begin monitoring the bleaching event. Temperature, and salinity data is also being retrieved for the last 4 months. Best regards, Fabian Hinds Marine Biologist (Ag) Coastal Zone Management Unit Phone: 228-5950/51/52 Fax: 228-5956 From buddrw at kgs.ku.edu Tue Sep 20 10:10:52 2005 From: buddrw at kgs.ku.edu (Robert W. Buddemeier) Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2005 09:10:52 -0500 Subject: [Coral-List] coral bibliography In-Reply-To: References: <20050909160022.1C11317931@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Message-ID: <4330186C.6060905@kgs.ku.edu> Eric and Listers -- You don't need to be using BibTex, or any specific manager, to exchange files; the following is a quote from the EndNote7 help file: "References in an EndNote library can be exported to Rich Text Format (RTF), HTML, XML, and plain text documents. The export command can be used to create independent bibliographies, or to create files that may be imported into other databases. When you export references from EndNote, the references showing in the library window are formatted according to the current style. Any style may be used; if you want to create a file for import into another program, EndNote includes a number of styles that are intended for data transfer. These export formats include Refer/BibIX, BibTex, and RIS format." For importing to Endnote and for other exchange options, the EndNote website offers exchange utilities for almost all of the bibliography managers. Eric, you are welcome to my references, but my library contains a lot of non-coral references -- contact me outside of the list server and let me know what key words you would like to have searched for the download. Bob Buddemeier Copyright Thomson ISI 2003 Eric Pante wrote: > Dear Listers, > > I am currently using "bibtex" as my bibliography management tool, and > I am willing to share my coral literature bibliography file with who > would be interested. If some of you use bibtex, and have coral / > marine ecology literature in this format that you are willing to share > as well, please let me know. > > best regards to everybody, > Eric > > PS - I wanted to post this message on the coral-literature mailing > list, but I could not find any link for it. Is this list still in > activity ? > > Eric Pante > --------------------------------------------------------------- > Graduate Student in Marine Biology > Grice Marine Laboratory > 205 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston SC 29412 > (ericpante at hotmail.com) > --------------------------------------------------------------- > > "On ne force pas la curiosite, on l'eveille ..." > Daniel Pennac > > > _______________________________________________ > Coral-List mailing list > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list -- Dr. Robert W. Buddemeier Kansas Geological Survey University of Kansas 1930 Constant Avenue Lawrence, KS 66047 USA e-mail: buddrw at ku.edu ph (1) (785) 864-2112 fax (1) (785) 864-5317 From kalai21 at earthlink.net Tue Sep 20 12:29:05 2005 From: kalai21 at earthlink.net (Kalai McPherson) Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2005 12:29:05 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Coral Help In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: how close is the reef to the golf course? usually every night a golf course will turn on their sprinklers to water the grass. To make sure the grass looks good they have to fertiiize it first. All that fertizer could run into the reef and have serious consequnces. Kalai Rutgers University Marine biology(grad: may 2006) On Sep 19, 2005, at 11:22 AM, Erik Gauger wrote: > Dear Members of the Coral List, > > I am writing about the destruction of a coral reef by an unethical > developer who is using the language of ecology to convince people > that their golf course, built adjacent to a coral reef, is harmless > to the reef and ocean. > > You can read the article here: > > http://www.notesfromtheroad.com/WestIndies/bakers_bay_intro.htm > > Is anyone willing to speak with me about coral and golf course > specifics? > > Thanks, > > Erik > > Erik Gauger > Editor & Photographer > Notes from the Road > http://www.notesfromtheroad.com > Greenpeace backs our work in Guana > http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/oceans > Time Magazine features Notes from the Road > http://www.notesfromtheroad.com/time.htm > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Coral-List mailing list > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list > From layoub at mail.marine.usf.edu Wed Sep 21 02:56:08 2005 From: layoub at mail.marine.usf.edu (Lore Ayoub) Date: Wed, 21 Sep 2005 02:56:08 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Coral-List] Coral Help In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <50071.71.99.111.210.1127285768.squirrel@mailbox.acomp.usf.edu> Also, pesticides and herbicides are usually used on golf courses, and sometimes dyes to make the grass greener. You can find out if the builders are doing anything to decrease runoff. In Bermuda, pesticides have been found to cause mutations (even on the macroscopic, morphological level) in toads, and the Bermuda Biological Station's Ecotoxicology lab has participated in studies there. Contact them or the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, for details. Websites for these contacts: www.bbsr.edu, www.bamz.org > how close is the reef to the golf course? usually every night a golf > course will turn on their sprinklers to water the grass. To make sure > the grass looks good they have to fertiiize it first. All that > fertizer could run into the reef and have serious consequnces. > Kalai > Rutgers University > Marine biology(grad: may 2006) > On Sep 19, 2005, at 11:22 AM, Erik Gauger wrote: > >> Dear Members of the Coral List, >> >> I am writing about the destruction of a coral reef by an unethical >> developer who is using the language of ecology to convince people >> that their golf course, built adjacent to a coral reef, is harmless >> to the reef and ocean. >> >> You can read the article here: >> >> http://www.notesfromtheroad.com/WestIndies/bakers_bay_intro.htm >> >> Is anyone willing to speak with me about coral and golf course >> specifics? >> >> Thanks, >> >> Erik >> >> Erik Gauger >> Editor & Photographer >> Notes from the Road >> http://www.notesfromtheroad.com >> Greenpeace backs our work in Guana >> http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/oceans >> Time Magazine features Notes from the Road >> http://www.notesfromtheroad.com/time.htm >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Coral-List mailing list >> Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list >> > > _______________________________________________ > Coral-List mailing list > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list > From Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov Wed Sep 21 16:35:56 2005 From: Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov (Alan E Strong) Date: Wed, 21 Sep 2005 16:35:56 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Present Bleaching Event - PR & USVI etc. Message-ID: <4331C42C.9070902@noaa.gov> *NOTICE - Bleaching continues to evolve throughout Eastern Caribbean* Beginning in the central Keys during August (Sombrero Key especially) the warm water episode and accompanying bleaching for this year is progressing south and eastward through Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. This can visually be seen in our recent 12-week composite of HotSpot accumulations - Degree Heating Weeks (DHWs): http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/data2/dhwa.9.19.2005.gif and HotSpots: http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/data/hotspotwnc.gif Extremely high DHWs above "8" in much of the Virgin Islands are quite worrisome as these levels in past bleaching events typically bring some mortality to corals. This evolving episode continues to be at near unprecedented levels of thermal stress for this region since our satellite records began in the mid-80s. From the chart one can observe that eastern Puerto Rico is under higher levels of thermal stress at present than western PR....hence the recent reports of considerable bleaching. Until some reduced solar radiation and/or wind & mixing comes to the "rescue" we worry about prospects along much of the Windward Islands toward South America over the next month or so. Sorry our repot couldn't be more positive. Regards, Al Strong NOAA's Coral Reef Watch http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/index.html -- **** <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* Alan E. Strong Branch Chief, Marine Ecosystem and Climate Branch (MECB) Coral Reef Watch Project Coordinator Phys Scientist/Oceanographer NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/SOCD -- E/RA3 {formerly NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/ORAD} NOAA Science Center -- RM 601 5200 Auth Road Camp Springs, MD 20746-4304 Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov 301-763-8102 x170 [Tues-Thurs] 301-713-2857 x108 [Mon & Fri] (SSMC1 - RM 5304; Silver Spring, MD) FAX: 301-763-8572 http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/ From coral_giac at yahoo.com Wed Sep 21 18:29:33 2005 From: coral_giac at yahoo.com (Hernandez Edwin) Date: Wed, 21 Sep 2005 15:29:33 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Coral-List] Bleaching in PR (update #3) In-Reply-To: <4331C42C.9070902@noaa.gov> Message-ID: <20050921222933.83136.qmail@web30406.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Dear Listers: Hola! This short notice is to provide an additional summary of bleaching progress in PR. Now, we have collected additional information from collaborators from northeastern Puerto Rico, Culebra and Vieques Island that have documented bleaching impacting corals all over down to shelf edge depths to about 30 m. Also, we visited El Ron reef off Cabo Rojo (sowthwest PR) and bleaching was not even half intense as it is in eastern PR. Observations from other collaborators that have dived Cayo Enrique, Laurel and other reefs off La Parguera (southwest PR) also suggest that bleaching has been less intense than in eastern PR (e.g., lower % impacted colonies, lower diversity of impacted taxa). These observations are in agreement with the suggestion of Al Strong that eastern PR is being under severe impact in comparison to western PR. Temperatures even at 25 m have been documented to range from 30.5 to 31.8C. In the shallows (<5 m) temperatures have ranged from 31.7 to 33.1C. In summary: 1. There is a clear bathimetric gradient: severe bleaching in the shallows (<10 m); moderate bleaching at mid-depths (10-20 m); moderate to lower bleaching in deeper areas (>20 m). 2. There is a clear geographic gradient of more intense bleaching on eastern PR reefs than those in the SW coast. 3. A higher diversity of corals has been impacted in eastern PR than in SW PR. Regards, Edwin pd. I've been asked by several persons the coordinates of bleached sites. I'll provide in the near future a list of geographic coordinates in a following email. Edwin A. Hern?ndez-Delgado, Ph.D. Affiliate Researcher University of Puerto Rico Department of Biology Coral Reef Research Group P.O. Box 23360 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00931-3360 Tel (787) 764-0000, x-4855 Fax (787) 764-2610 e-mail: coral_giac at yahoo.com __________________________________ Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 http://mail.yahoo.com From scott.stripling at noaa.gov Thu Sep 22 11:23:58 2005 From: scott.stripling at noaa.gov (scott.stripling) Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2005 11:23:58 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Present Bleaching Event - PR & USVI etc. In-Reply-To: <4331C42C.9070902@noaa.gov> References: <4331C42C.9070902@noaa.gov> Message-ID: <4332CC8E.2010701@noaa.gov> With the NE Caribbean currently located underneath an elongated area of low pressure, light and variable winds will continue to dominate the region for the next 1 to 2 weeks. Computer models are forecasting only brief (6-12 hour periods) of anything approaching normal trade wind flow during this time. Thus the stagnant mixing conditions will persist regionally through the first week of October, at the least. Scott Stripling NOAA/NWS San Juan Alan E Strong wrote: > *NOTICE - Bleaching continues to evolve throughout Eastern Caribbean* > > Beginning in the central Keys during August (Sombrero Key especially) > the warm water episode and accompanying bleaching for this year is > progressing south and eastward through Cuba, Puerto Rico and the > Virgin Islands. This can visually be seen in our recent 12-week > composite of HotSpot accumulations - Degree Heating Weeks (DHWs): > > http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/data2/dhwa.9.19.2005.gif > > and HotSpots: > > http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/data/hotspotwnc.gif > > Extremely high DHWs above "8" in much of the Virgin Islands are quite > worrisome as these levels in past bleaching events typically bring > some mortality to corals. This evolving episode continues to be at > near unprecedented levels of thermal stress for this region since our > satellite records began in the mid-80s. From the chart one can observe > that eastern Puerto Rico is under higher levels of thermal stress at > present than western PR....hence the recent reports of considerable > bleaching. Until some reduced solar radiation and/or wind & mixing > comes to the "rescue" we worry about prospects along much of the > Windward Islands toward South America over the next month or so. > > Sorry our repot couldn't be more positive. > > Regards, > > Al Strong > NOAA's Coral Reef Watch > http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/index.html > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >_______________________________________________ >Coral-List mailing list >Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list > > From jware at erols.com Thu Sep 22 11:34:09 2005 From: jware at erols.com (John Ware) Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2005 11:34:09 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Non-bleaching in Bonaire. Message-ID: <4332CEF1.2050108@erols.com> Dear List, I have just returned from ~2 weeks in Bonaire and was surprised to see so many bleaching reports from other places in the wider Caribbean. We saw very little bleaching in Bonaire. A few Eusmillia fastigiata, but not very many and no complete colony bleaching. Water temperatures were ~28 oC, cooler than the usual mid-September temperatures of approximately 29 oC. There was the 'usual' bleaching of some of the deep water Agaricia sp but much more mild than we have seen over the past years. John -- ************************************************************* * * * John R. Ware, PhD * * President * * SeaServices, Inc. * * 19572 Club House Road * * Montgomery Village, MD, 20886, USA * * 301 987-8507 * * jware at erols.com * * http://www.seaservices.org * * fax: 301 987-8531 * * Treasurer and Member of the Council: * * International Society for Reef Studies * * _ * * | * * ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * * _|_ * * | _ | * * _______________________________| |________ * * |\/__ Undersea Technology for the 21st Century \ * * |/\____________________________________________/ * ************************************************************* From Jim.Hendee at noaa.gov Thu Sep 22 15:36:21 2005 From: Jim.Hendee at noaa.gov (Jim Hendee) Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2005 15:36:21 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] AOML's Integrated Coral Observing Network Message-ID: <433307B5.7070702@noaa.gov> Greetings, To be consistent with the evolution in our program and its changing directions, the coral research program at the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) will henceforth be titled the Integrated Coral Observing Network (ICON), rather than the Coral Reef Early Warning System (CREWS). ICON is focusing upon: * Integrating data from diverse independent sources into value-added products supporting research, modeling and management decisions with respect to Marine Protected Areas and other ecosystem approaches to management issues * Consistency with NOAA's Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) and Coral Reef Ecosystem Integrated Observing System (CREIOS) goals and objectives * International partnerships to enhance the global ICON network * Facilitation of development and transition to operations of promising relevant in situ instrumentation (e.g., PAM-fluorometry, pCO2, acoustic and optical particle detection and size fractionation, and acoustic telemetry) * The hand-off of responsibility for the in situ coral reef station network infrastructure to a NOAA operational line An ICON Web site is being developed with artificial intelligence capabilities under funding from NOAA's High Performance Computing and Communications Office, and will be under development over the coming Fiscal Year. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Cheers, Jim ---------------------------------------------------- James C. Hendee, Ph.D. Coral Health and Monitoring Program Ocean Chemistry Division Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration U.S. Department of Commerce 4301 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, FL 33149-1026 Voice: (305) 361-4396 Fax: (305) 361-4447 Email: jim.hendee at noaa.gov Web: http://www.coral.noaa.gov From eweil at caribe.net Thu Sep 22 20:13:26 2005 From: eweil at caribe.net (EWeil) Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2005 20:13:26 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Caribbean bleaching Message-ID: <52e6595505c049cfaf8767a86472e155.eweil@caribe.net> Dear colleagues, Similar to what J. Ware reported from Bonaire, the same is true for Curacao. We just finished four days of disease surveys and there is no bleaching. Few colonies of Palythoa, deep Agaricia, Eusmilia fastigiata and one Colpophyllia natans showed paling. Eerything looks normal and water temps. are also normal. Saludos! EW Dr. Ernesto Weil Department of Marine Sciences University of Puerto Rico PO BOX 3208 Lajas PR 00667 Pho: (787) 899-2048 x. 241 Fax: (787) 899-5500 - 2630 From mgarcia at mbrs.org.bz Thu Sep 22 16:21:49 2005 From: mgarcia at mbrs.org.bz (Miguel) Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2005 14:21:49 -0600 Subject: [Coral-List] Bleaching in the Mesoamerican barrier reef Message-ID: <200509222021.j8MKLnpT028286@orchid1.btl.net> Existe blanqueamiernto en Guatemala Punta Manbique, Belice Glovers Reef. y M?xico Cozumel, de lo que hemos visto. Al parecer este a?o tendremos un fuerte blanqueamiento en la region. Blanqueamierntoexists in Guatemala (Punta Manabique), Belize (Glovers Reef) and Mexico (Cozumel), of which we have seen. Apparently this year we will have a strong blanqueamiento in the region. Debemos registrar estos eventos.. Un saludo Miguel Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System Proyect Miguel A Garc?a Especialista en Monitoreo Ambiental Fisheries Compound, Princess Margaret Drive P.O. Box 93 Belize, Belize mgarcia at mbrs.org.bz tel: fax: 501 223 3895 501 223 4513 Add me to your address book... Want a signature like this? Upgrade Your Email - Click here! From gbustamante at bellsouth.net Fri Sep 23 08:59:40 2005 From: gbustamante at bellsouth.net (Georgina Bustamante) Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 08:59:40 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] no-bleaching data In-Reply-To: <43271D8E.5030100@noaa.gov> Message-ID: I hope observers can also detect (and eventually identify) specific conditions under which some coral reefs located in areas with high risk (high temeperature, etc.) are not bleaching at all. That may provide useful information for MPA design and planning. Georgina Bustamante, Ph.D. Marine Science and Policy Consultant 3800 N Hills Dr. #216 Hollywood, Florida 33021 U.S.A. tel/fax(request) 954-963-3626 -----Original Message----- From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov [mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov]On Behalf Of Jim Hendee Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 2:42 PM To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov Subject: [Coral-List] CREWS Bleaching Research, Caribbean Greetings, Coral-Listers, With the advent of so much bleaching going on in Florida and the Caribbean, we thought we'd share with you some of our research at NOAA/AOML which seeks to help elucidate the role of the physical environment in coral bleaching. High sea temperature "sets the table," as Dr. Michael Lesser points out; however, other factors (such as high irradiance, sustained low winds, and a reduced amount of chromophoric dissolved organic matter) may contribute to the onset of bleaching, as has been pointed out in the literature. The Coral Reef Early Warning System (CREWS) was expert system software originally (1998) designed at AOML to (among other things) monitor incoming data from the SEAKEYS Network in the Florida Keys to determine when conditions theoretically conducive to coral bleaching occurred. This would enable researchers to visit and confirm or deny the event in a timely manner, thus providing feedback on these expert system models, and would also give Marine Protected Areas managers feedback on environmental stress in their MPA. In the past, data from the NOAA/NMFS/CRED stations in the Pacific, and the Australian Institute of Marine Science's Weather Network on the Great Barrier Reef were also screened with the CREWS software (and may again in the future). New stations are being added to the network by NOAA and partnering nations (e.g., Jamaica [Discovery Bay] and Australia [Heron Island]). The acronym "CREWS" evolved to describe stations installed by NOAA for which input was to be screened by the CREWS software. New research instrumentation has been added within the last two years to the AOML/CREWS station at the Caribbean Marine Research Center (a NOAA/NURP partner) in the Bahamas to further elucidate the physiological mechanisms behind coral bleaching: a Pulse-Amplitude-Modulating (PAM) fluorometer, a pCO2 sensor, and light sensors (PAR, and UV at three different wavelengths, above and below water). The PAM-fluorometer has been an especially exciting instrument, as it is the only instrument that measures coral stress in near real-time (hourly) on four different species (or two, with two replicates), and thus can give us an almost instantaneous recording of stress when it happens in the coral. This will enable us to determine with higher confidence which physical stresses (of the ones we measure) were present at the precise time of physiological stress. We are also seeing some interesting trends in carbon dioxide on the reef throughout the year. As you can imagine, the key to refining a bleaching model is determining which species bleach when, so that we can compare the physical data with the biological observations. To that end we have enjoined research partners to help us tabulate the biological data. An example of a recent report from CMRC is attached at the bottom of this message. If you have observations for any of these sites, we'd love to hear from you. Later this year we will analyze the biological observations together with the records from the physical environment. The CREWS "alerts" (research models) for this year's alerts are archived at this URL: http://www.coral.noaa.gov/noaa/icon/2005/ with subdirectories corresponding to the following stations: cmrc3 Caribbean Marine Research Center, Bahamas (CREWS) srvi1 Salt River Bay, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands (CREWS) fwyf1 Fowey Rocks, Florida Keys (SEAKEYS) mlrf1 Molasses Reef, Florida Keys (SEAKEYS) smkf1 Sombrero Reef, Florida Keys (SEAKEYS) sanf1 Sand Key, Florida Keys (SEAKEYS) Please note that these are experimental products (with some errors) and should not be read as operational products or proof that bleaching occurred at any of these spots at these particular times. These research products are designed to eventually give us a better indication of the onset of bleaching of particular species, how light and wind work with high sea temperatures in eliciting the bleaching response, and need to be refined through time. For a better indicator of MASS BLEACHING, please see the NOAA/NESDIS HotSpot products (http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/CB_indices/coral_bleaching_indices.html), which have been very successful in that regard. (Please also note that some of the point accumulators in our models did not work correctly, but will be fixed in the re-running of the models.) The hourly observations of the relevant parameters will soon be available on a Web site to be announced. However, to see the daily output from the Bahamas, see http://www.coral.noaa.gov/crw/crw_data_cmrc3_Web_72.html Of special note, see the reduced fluorescent yield measured at PAM head #2, indicating severe stress in photosystem II on that particular coral (Siderastrea), which is currently bleaching. Other station data may be seen by visiting Ye Olde CHAMP (Coral Health and Monitoring Program) Page and click on relevant links: http://www.coral.noaa.gov Cheers, The AOML/CREWS Team and Collaborators: Jim Hendee, Erik Stabenau, Chris Langdon, Louis Florit, Jules Craynock, Mike Jankulak, Mike Shoemaker, Jeff Absten, Jeff Judas, John Halas, Billy Causey, Erich Mueller, Chris Humphrey, Dave Ward, Kevin Buch, Mike Lombardi, Catherine Booker, Jon Fagan, Joanie Kleypas, Michael Lesser, Mark Warner, Bill Fitt, Richard Zepp, and many others... ~~~~~~ Bleaching Report by Kevin Buch, CMRC ~~~~~~~~ General LSI Area Coral Bleaching Report 08 SEPT 2005 Date: 8/29/05 Site: Southeast Barracuda Rocks Location: Great Bahama Bank (Exuma region); N23.67255 W76.20221 Depth: 2-4m Water temp: approx. 31C (estimated from dive computer) Species (listed in order of bleaching prevalence): Porites porites; Millepora sp.; Sidearstrea siderea; Porites asteriodes Notes: Site consists of large exposed limestone rocks in shallow water with numerous small (<1m) and fewer medium (1-2m) sized coral heads. Initial bleaching observed beginning 8/11/05. Majority (> 75% estimate) of Millepora sp. and Porites porites colonies exhibiting bleaching by 8/29/05 Date: 8/31/05 Site: Northwest Barracuda Rocks Location: Great Bahama Bank (Exuma region); N23.71844 W76.25390 Depth: 2-4m Water temp: approx. 31C (estimated from dive computer) Species (listed in order of bleaching prevalence): Porites porites; Millepora sp.; Agaricia sp.; Porites asteriodes Notes: Site consists of large exposed limestone rock in shallow water with several submerged bommies and numerous small (<1m) and fewer medium (1-2m) sized coral heads bordered by dense seagrass. Initial bleaching observed beginning 8/11/05. Majority (> 75% estimate) of Millepora sp., Agaricia sp. and Porites porites colonies exhibiting bleaching by 8/31/05 Date: 9/6/05 Site: North Norman?s Pond Cay patch reef Location: Exuma Cays, Bahamas; N23.78972 W76.13773 Depth: 5-7m Water temp: 30.4C (YSI 85) Species (listed in order of bleaching prevalence): Agaricia sp.; Porites porites; Millepora sp.; Montastrea annularis; Diploria strigosa; (a few colonies affected of the following species: Diploria labryinthiformis; Favia fragum; Meandrina meandrites) Notes: Site is M. annularis and Agaricia sp. dominated patch reef bordered by dense seagrass. Majority (> 75% estimate) of Agaricia sp. colonies exhibiting bleaching. Moderate paling and some bleaching of Agaricia sp. and Porites porites colonies observed on 8/15/05 Date: 9/6/05 Site: NOAA CREWS Station CMRC3 (near North Norman?s Pond Cay patch reef) Location: Exuma Cays, Bahamas; N23.79067 W76.13928 Depth: 7m Water temp: 30.5C Species (in the immediate vicinity of the station-listed in order of bleaching prevalence): Agaricia sp.; Porites porites; Millepora sp.; Sidearstrea sidereal; Notes: Site is hardbottom area with numerous small (<1m) and fewer medium (1-2m) sized coral heads. PAM monitored Agaricia sp. and Siderastrea siderea colonies showing mild, limited paling on 8/30/05. Small patches of definite paling and possible bleaching on Siderastrea PAM colony and moderate bleaching of Agaricia PAM colony observed on 9/6/05. Date: 9/6/05 Site: Perry Institute for Marine Science research station dock Location: Lee Stocking Island, Exuma Cays, Bahamas; N23.77262 W76.10720 Depth: 2m Water temp: 31.1C (YSI 85) Species (listed in order of bleaching prevalence): Porites porites; Montastrea annularis; Notes: Site is limestone shoreline with scattered small (<1m) and fewer medium (1-1.5m) sized coral heads bordered by medium density seagrass/macro algae Submitted by: Kevin L. Buch Assistant Science Director Perry Institute for Marine Science Lee Stocking Island, The Bahamas T: (561) 741-0192 ext. 239 F: (561) 658-6159 E. kbuch at perryinstitute.org www.perryinstitute.org Business Address: Perry Institute for Marine Science 100 N. US Highway 1, Suite 202 Jupiter, FL 33477-5112 _______________________________________________ Coral-List mailing list Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list From Jim.Hendee at noaa.gov Fri Sep 23 10:24:03 2005 From: Jim.Hendee at noaa.gov (Jim Hendee) Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 10:24:03 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] no-bleaching data In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <43341003.5090101@noaa.gov> Georgina, Great thought! Instead of focusing quite so much on where and why "the sky is falling" on our coral reefs, focus on where and why (under apparently similar conditions) the sky is not falling, and protect those areas so they can recruit still larger areas. It will be interesting to learn if it is the conditions, or the physiology, or both (most likely), for areas of non-bleaching where high sea temperature/high irradiance/whatever models predict bleaching. It sounds like a great line of research. Cheers, Jim Georgina Bustamante wrote: >I hope observers can also detect (and eventually identify) specific >conditions under which some coral reefs located in areas with high risk >(high temeperature, etc.) are not bleaching at all. That may provide useful >information for MPA design and planning. > >Georgina Bustamante, Ph.D. >Marine Science and Policy Consultant >3800 N Hills Dr. #216 >Hollywood, Florida 33021 >U.S.A. >tel/fax(request) 954-963-3626 > > From kristenhoss at yahoo.com Fri Sep 23 11:28:36 2005 From: kristenhoss at yahoo.com (Kristen Hoss) Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 08:28:36 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Coral-List] Present Bleaching Event - PR & USVI etc. In-Reply-To: <4332CC8E.2010701@noaa.gov> Message-ID: <20050923152836.67610.qmail@web53912.mail.yahoo.com> Hello, I was wondering if anyone has ever studied the correlation of coral bleaching episodes as possible indicators of what hurricane activity may be like during the year? I was wondering if there was a connection that could be used as a prediction tool, or if the correlation would just be related to the already known water temperatures and weather patterns, etc.... -Kristen Hoss Marine Researcher and Wildlife Biologist-USDA/APHIS/WS "scott.stripling" wrote: With the NE Caribbean currently located underneath an elongated area of low pressure, light and variable winds will continue to dominate the region for the next 1 to 2 weeks. Computer models are forecasting only brief (6-12 hour periods) of anything approaching normal trade wind flow during this time. Thus the stagnant mixing conditions will persist regionally through the first week of October, at the least. Scott Stripling NOAA/NWS San Juan Alan E Strong wrote: > *NOTICE - Bleaching continues to evolve throughout Eastern Caribbean* > > Beginning in the central Keys during August (Sombrero Key especially) > the warm water episode and accompanying bleaching for this year is > progressing south and eastward through Cuba, Puerto Rico and the > Virgin Islands. This can visually be seen in our recent 12-week > composite of HotSpot accumulations - Degree Heating Weeks (DHWs): > > http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/data2/dhwa.9.19.2005.gif > > and HotSpots: > > http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/data/hotspotwnc.gif > > Extremely high DHWs above "8" in much of the Virgin Islands are quite > worrisome as these levels in past bleaching events typically bring > some mortality to corals. This evolving episode continues to be at > near unprecedented levels of thermal stress for this region since our > satellite records began in the mid-80s. From the chart one can observe > that eastern Puerto Rico is under higher levels of thermal stress at > present than western PR....hence the recent reports of considerable > bleaching. Until some reduced solar radiation and/or wind & mixing > comes to the "rescue" we worry about prospects along much of the > Windward Islands toward South America over the next month or so. > > Sorry our repot couldn't be more positive. > > Regards, > > Al Strong > NOAA's Coral Reef Watch > http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/index.html > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >_______________________________________________ >Coral-List mailing list >Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list > > _______________________________________________ Coral-List mailing list Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list --------------------------------- Yahoo! for Good Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. From charlesb at hawaii.edu Fri Sep 23 13:00:35 2005 From: charlesb at hawaii.edu (Charles Birkeland) Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 07:00:35 -1000 Subject: [Coral-List] Re: Coral-List Digest, Vol 27, Issue 20 Message-ID: <517d1a510df3.510df3517d1a@hawaii.edu> Jim, That is the focus of much research in American samoa. The reefs there are so remarkably resilient to multiple disturbances and stresses, we are trying to determine the mechanisms. Are they acclimatization, adaptation, small-scale environmental factors or particular combinations? Abstract (first draft) for the USCRTF meeting reads as follows: Long-Term Research in American Samoa on Adjustments of Corals to Climate Changes Coral reefs have always been dynamic systems, constantly in a state of recovery from disparate disturbances that have been a perpetual part of the environment. In the past three decades, however, a large number of reefs around the world have lost the ability to recover and have continued to decline, even after the disturbance has gone. There is a crucial need for coral-reef management to determine the factors that promote resilience, the ability to recover, in coral reefs. The coral reefs of American Samoa (AS) have continued to be remarkably resilient to large scale disturbances, recovering within about 15 years after a crown-of-thorns starfish outbreak (1977) and also after two hurricanes (1990 and 1991), and even more rapidly after widespread bleaching associated with warm seawater (1994, 2002, and 2003). The corals in AS have also shown special resistance to local stress in particular sites. In the shallow backreef moat in the National Park on Ofu Island, at least 80 species of scleractinian corals withstand brief but severe fluctuations in water temperature (up to 6.5? C within a day, reaching 35.5? C), fluctuations in dissolved O2 (15 to 220 percent saturation), and strong UV radiation. The determination of the mechanisms of resilience of Samoan reefs will provide important guidance for reef management and for selection of sites for MPAs. In order to tease out the roles of acclimatization (physiological and biochemical changes in the corals, and shifts in types of zooxanthellae), adaptations (genetic changes), and extrinsic factors (e.g., patterns of water motion), transplant experiments were undertaken by Lance Smith and Dan Barshis. Smith and Barshis performed 754 reciprocal and controlled transplantations of corals between stressful and benign habitats. Lance found that both acclimatization and water motion have significant roles in the resilience of corals in the Ofu backreef moat. Dan is performing biochemical analyses of the coral tissues to assess changes in levels of heat-shock proteins, antioxidants and other chemicals that indicate disruption of photosynthetic and metabolic processes in time sequences following transplantation. He is aided by Ruth Gates and Rob Toonen (Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology) and Jonathan Stillman (San Francisco State Univ.). Greg Piniak (NOAA) took over 600 determinations of fluorescence yield of zooxanthellae to estimate how well the photosynthetic system is working in the symbiotic relation with the coral community. Changes in phylotypes of zooxanthellae are being assessed by Andrew Baker (WCS and Columbia University). Virginia Garrison and Christina Kellogg (USGS) are determining changes in associated microbial communities on the corals. Adaptation will be tested by comparing the thermal tolerance of juvenile corals from planulae originating from adults transplanted from the forereef over a year before parthenogenic planulation, with thermal tolerance of juvenile corals from planulae from adults transplanted from the backreef. Genetic differences from forereef and backreef populations are also being examined. These experimental studies are within a backdrop of long-term studies. The first permanent transect in AS that has been quantitatively monitored to this day was started in 1917. Some large colonies of Porites have recorded climatic changes in their skeletons for hundreds of years. The goals of these studies are to provide an understanding of the sensitivity and adaptability of coral reef systems to environmental changes so that we can predict the effects of climate changes, and to provide insight into which coral reef sites are most important to protect from disruptive human activities so as to provide broodstock of corals for reef recovery. ----- Original Message ----- From: coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov Date: Friday, September 23, 2005 6:00 am Subject: Coral-List Digest, Vol 27, Issue 20 > Send Coral-List mailing list submissions to > coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > > You can reach the person managing the list at > coral-list-owner at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Coral-List digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: no-bleaching data (Jim Hendee) > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------- > --- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 10:24:03 -0400 > From: "Jim Hendee" > Subject: Re: [Coral-List] no-bleaching data > To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > Message-ID: <43341003.5090101 at noaa.gov> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 > > Georgina, > > Great thought! Instead of focusing quite so much on where and why > "the sky is falling" on our coral reefs, focus on where and why (under > apparently similar conditions) the sky is not falling, and protect > thoseareas so they can recruit still larger areas. It will be > interesting to > learn if it is the conditions, or the physiology, or both (most > likely),for areas of non-bleaching where high sea temperature/high > irradiance/whatever models predict bleaching. It sounds like a great > line of research. > > Cheers, > Jim > > Georgina Bustamante wrote: > > >I hope observers can also detect (and eventually identify) specific > >conditions under which some coral reefs located in areas with > high risk > >(high temeperature, etc.) are not bleaching at all. That may > provide useful > >information for MPA design and planning. > > > >Georgina Bustamante, Ph.D. > >Marine Science and Policy Consultant > >3800 N Hills Dr. #216 > >Hollywood, Florida 33021 > >U.S.A. > >tel/fax(request) 954-963-3626 > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Coral-List mailing list > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list > > > End of Coral-List Digest, Vol 27, Issue 20 > ****************************************** > From Beth.Dieveney at noaa.gov Fri Sep 23 13:54:06 2005 From: Beth.Dieveney at noaa.gov (Beth Dieveney) Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 13:54:06 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting Message-ID: <4334413E.D7A74BF2@noaa.gov> Apologies for Cross Posting Update for the upcoming U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting, November 4-7 in the Republic of Palau. Please see below for information on Registration, Dates, Location, Travel, Hotel, Exhibit Information, Public Comment, and a Sustainable Finance workshop on November 3. For more information contact: beth.dieveney at noaa.gov Meeting Details: Registration: Please register in advance. Registration is available on the Coral Reef Task Force website: www.coralreef.gov. Dates: The Business Meeting will take place on Saturday, November 5 and Monday, November 7. Agendas for the full weeks? activities and the Business Meeting will soon be available on the website Location: Business Meeting ? Ngarachamayong Cultural Center Travel: Plan your travel in advance. Contact Continental and Micronesian Continental Airlines: www.continental.com 1-800-231-0856. We have a group discount rate. When making reservations provide the Z Code ZQRZ and Agreement Code UEKRWB. This discount is good for October 28 ? November 13, 2005. Hotel Information: PALASIA HOTEL 70 rooms have been made available and guaranteed for October 29 ? November 8. Cut-off date is October 22, 2005 Room rate is offered at; ~ $80.00 plus 15% tax inclusive of daily breakfast for single occupancy (subject to 1 guest in a room), and space availability to a Deluxe Town View or Deluxe Bay View room category ~ $100.00 plus 15% tax inclusive of daily breakfast for two (subject to 2 guest in a room), and space availability to a Deluxe Town View or Deluxe Bay View room category ~ $180.00 plus 15% tax inclusive of daily breakfast based on single or double room occupancy and subject to space availability to Junior Suite room category ~ $250.00 plus 15% tax inclusive of daily breakfast based on single or double room occupancy and subject to space availability to Executive Suite room category Upon confirming Room reservation to guest credit card information is required or one night's room rate payment for room guarantee 6. PALASIA HOTEL CONTACT Janice Aguon, Asst. Manager Reservation Department Palasia Hotel, Palau P.O. Box 10027 Koror, Republic of Belau 96940 Tel: (680) 488-8803 ext. 122 Fax: (680) 488-8800 Email: res.palasia at palaunet.com Exhibit Information: Exhibit space is available for approximately 20 exhibits at the Ngarachamayong Cultural Center, site of the public meeting for the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force meeting. These spaces will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. We offer either space for ?pop-up/stand-alone? displays, or tables for literature. Exhibits must be set up during the day of Thursday, 4 November, and should be removed after the Task Force meeting (i.e. after 5 pm) Monday, 7 November. Exhibits may be shipped to Palau (see below) or brought by the exhibitor to Palau and delivered to the Ngarachamayong Cultural Center, with prior arrangement. To Reserve space, Schedule delivery of exhibits, or for Questions Call or E-mail: Andrew Bauman abauman at palau-oerc.net Ph: 011.680.488.6950 Fx: 011.680.488.8638 Beth Dieveney Beth.Dieveney at noaa.gov Ph: 301.713.2989 x 200 Fx: 301.713.4389 In the email please indicate the following: 1. Name 2. Contact information (email, fax, phone number) 3. Organization/affiliation 4. Request ? table, space for stand-up exhibit 5. Special needs ? electrical outlets, etc 6. Whether you plan to ship or carry materials to Palau Ship to/from Address: Andrew Bauman Re: Coral Reef Task Force P.O. Box 7086 Koror, Palau 96940 Micronesia Public Comment Information: There will be opportunity during the first day of the Business meeting, November 5 to provide public comment. You need to sign up in advance; email beth.dieveney at noaa.gov. We are requesting that you provide public comment in written format at the time of the meeting. Please provide the following information: 1. Name 2. Contact information (email, fax, phone number) 3. Organization/affiliation If you are unable to attend but would like to provide written comments in advance, please email comments to beth.dieveney at noaa.gov by October 22. These will be compiled and addressed at the meeting. Sustainable Financing Workshop ? November 3 International Coral Reef Initiative ? U.S. Coral Reef Task Force with The Nature Conservancy are hosting a Sustainable Financing Workshop. Information will soon be posted on the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force website: www.coralreef.gov and the International Coral Reef Initiative website: www.icriforum.org. -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Elizabeth Dieveney U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Coordinator NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program 1305 East-West Highway, N/ORR, Rm. 10127 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: (301) 713-2989 x 200 Fax: (301) 713-4389 Email: Beth.Dieveney at noaa.gov From Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov Fri Sep 23 14:50:49 2005 From: Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov (Alan E Strong) Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 14:50:49 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Re: Coral-List Digest, Vol 27, Issue 20 In-Reply-To: <517d1a510df3.510df3517d1a@hawaii.edu> References: <517d1a510df3.510df3517d1a@hawaii.edu> Message-ID: <43344E89.4050709@noaa.gov> Hi Georgina, Great question!!! You need to get a copy of the latest report we have just submitted to TNC for a project in Palau to do just what you talk about. We are developing hydrodynamic models for use in these coastal areas after finding several years ago with our work on the Great Barrier Reef with some Australian colleagues that these tools may prove the most useful in identifying areas withing reef ecosystems that might have more resistance and/or resilience to bleaching. Papers are in various stages of progress... I am coying this to Drs. William Skirving and Scott Heron, our Australian contractors who helped us develop these models, and am hopeful that they can give you further guidance...if necessary. Cheers Al Charles Birkeland wrote: >Jim, > >That is the focus of much research in American samoa. The reefs there >are so remarkably resilient to multiple disturbances and stresses, we >are trying to determine the mechanisms. Are they acclimatization, >adaptation, small-scale environmental factors or particular >combinations? Abstract (first draft) for the USCRTF meeting reads as >follows: > >Long-Term Research in American Samoa on Adjustments of Corals to >Climate Changes > >Coral reefs have always been dynamic systems, constantly in a state of >recovery from disparate disturbances that have been a perpetual part >of the environment. In the past three decades, however, a large number >of reefs around the world have lost the ability to recover and have >continued to decline, even after the disturbance has gone. There is a >crucial need for coral-reef management to determine the factors that >promote resilience, the ability to recover, in coral reefs. The coral >reefs of American Samoa (AS) have continued to be remarkably resilient >to large scale disturbances, recovering within about 15 years after a >crown-of-thorns starfish outbreak (1977) and also after two hurricanes >(1990 and 1991), and even more rapidly after widespread bleaching >associated with warm seawater (1994, 2002, and 2003). The corals in AS >have also shown special resistance to local stress in particular >sites. In the shallow backreef moat in the National Park on Ofu >Island, at least 80 species of scleractinian corals withstand brief >but severe fluctuations in water temperature (up to 6.5? C within a >day, reaching 35.5? C), fluctuations in dissolved O2 (15 to 220 >percent saturation), and strong UV radiation. The determination of >the mechanisms of resilience of Samoan reefs will provide important >guidance for reef management and for selection of sites for MPAs. In >order to tease out the roles of acclimatization (physiological and >biochemical changes in the corals, and shifts in types of >zooxanthellae), adaptations (genetic changes), and extrinsic factors >(e.g., patterns of water motion), transplant experiments were >undertaken by Lance Smith and Dan Barshis. Smith and Barshis performed >754 reciprocal and controlled transplantations of corals between >stressful and benign habitats. Lance found that both acclimatization >and water motion have significant roles in the resilience of corals in >the Ofu backreef moat. Dan is performing biochemical analyses of the >coral tissues to assess changes in levels of heat-shock proteins, >antioxidants and other chemicals that indicate disruption of >photosynthetic and metabolic processes in time sequences following >transplantation. He is aided by Ruth Gates and Rob Toonen (Hawaii >Institute of Marine Biology) and Jonathan Stillman (San Francisco >State Univ.). Greg Piniak (NOAA) took over 600 determinations of >fluorescence yield of zooxanthellae to estimate how well the >photosynthetic system is working in the symbiotic relation with the >coral community. Changes in phylotypes of zooxanthellae are being >assessed by Andrew Baker (WCS and Columbia University). Virginia >Garrison and Christina Kellogg (USGS) are determining changes in >associated microbial communities on the corals. Adaptation will be >tested by comparing the thermal tolerance of juvenile corals from >planulae originating from adults transplanted from the forereef over a >year before parthenogenic planulation, with thermal tolerance of >juvenile corals from planulae from adults transplanted from the >backreef. Genetic differences from forereef and backreef populations >are also being examined. These experimental studies are within a >backdrop of long-term studies. The first permanent transect in AS that >has been quantitatively monitored to this day was started in 1917. >Some large colonies of Porites have recorded climatic changes in their >skeletons for hundreds of years. The goals of these studies are to >provide an understanding of the sensitivity and adaptability of coral >reef systems to environmental changes so that we can predict the >effects of climate changes, and to provide insight into which coral >reef sites are most important to protect from disruptive human >activities so as to provide broodstock of corals for reef recovery. > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >Date: Friday, September 23, 2005 6:00 am >Subject: Coral-List Digest, Vol 27, Issue 20 > > > >>Send Coral-List mailing list submissions to >> coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >> >>To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit >> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list >>or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to >> coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >> >>You can reach the person managing the list at >> coral-list-owner at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >> >>When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific >>than "Re: Contents of Coral-List digest..." >> >> >>Today's Topics: >> >> 1. Re: no-bleaching data (Jim Hendee) >> >> >>------------------------------------------------------------------- >>--- >> >>Message: 1 >>Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 10:24:03 -0400 >>From: "Jim Hendee" >>Subject: Re: [Coral-List] no-bleaching data >>To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >>Message-ID: <43341003.5090101 at noaa.gov> >>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 >> >>Georgina, >> >> Great thought! Instead of focusing quite so much on where and why >>"the sky is falling" on our coral reefs, focus on where and why >> >> >(under > > >>apparently similar conditions) the sky is not falling, and protect >>thoseareas so they can recruit still larger areas. It will be >>interesting to >>learn if it is the conditions, or the physiology, or both (most >>likely),for areas of non-bleaching where high sea temperature/high >>irradiance/whatever models predict bleaching. It sounds like a great >>line of research. >> >> Cheers, >> Jim >> >>Georgina Bustamante wrote: >> >> >> >>>I hope observers can also detect (and eventually identify) specific >>>conditions under which some coral reefs located in areas with >>> >>> >>high risk >> >> >>>(high temeperature, etc.) are not bleaching at all. That may >>> >>> >>provide useful >> >> >>>information for MPA design and planning. >>> >>>Georgina Bustamante, Ph.D. >>>Marine Science and Policy Consultant >>>3800 N Hills Dr. #216 >>>Hollywood, Florida 33021 >>>U.S.A. >>>tel/fax(request) 954-963-3626 >>> >>> >>> >>> >>------------------------------ >> >>_______________________________________________ >>Coral-List mailing list >>Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >>http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list >> >> >>End of Coral-List Digest, Vol 27, Issue 20 >>****************************************** >> >> >> > >_______________________________________________ >Coral-List mailing list >Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list > > -- **** <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* Alan E. Strong Branch Chief, Marine Ecosystem and Climate Branch (MECB) Coral Reef Watch Project Coordinator Phys Scientist/Oceanographer NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/SOCD -- E/RA3 {formerly NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/ORAD} NOAA Science Center -- RM 601 5200 Auth Road Camp Springs, MD 20746-4304 Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov 301-763-8102 x170 [Tues-Thurs] 301-713-2857 x108 [Mon & Fri] (SSMC1 - RM 5304; Silver Spring, MD) FAX: 301-763-8572 http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/ From gko at hawaii.edu Fri Sep 23 16:18:25 2005 From: gko at hawaii.edu (Gary K. Ostrander) Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 10:18:25 -1000 Subject: [Coral-List] Present Bleaching Event - PR & USVI etc. References: <20050923152836.67610.qmail@web53912.mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <002901c5c07b$f3b08730$49c5ab80@DCDLHG61> Kristen, The following paper may be of some interest at the "physical disturbance" was a hurricane. We did not see anything around the bleaching event we reported to suggest any indicators. The bleaching event and hurricane were two years apart. Significantly, this was the first major bleaching event in the area and the first major hurricane in many years. Thus, there did not appear to be a causal relationship. Ostrander, G.K., Armstrong, K.M., Knobbe, E.T., Gerace, D., Scully, E.P. 2000. Rapid transition in the structure of a coral reef community: the effects of coral bleaching and physical disturbance. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA. 97:5297-5302. GKO ************************************ Gary K. Ostrander Ph.D. Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education 2500 Campus Road Hawaii Hall 211 University of Hawaii Honolulu, HI 96822 808/956-7837 office 808/956-2751 fax ********************************* ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kristen Hoss" To: "scott.stripling" ; "Alan E Strong" Cc: "Roger B Griffis" ; ; Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 5:28 AM Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Present Bleaching Event - PR & USVI etc. > Hello, > > I was wondering if anyone has ever studied the correlation of coral > bleaching episodes as possible indicators of what hurricane activity may > be like during the year? I was wondering if there was a connection that > could be used as a prediction tool, or if the correlation would just be > related to the already known water temperatures and weather patterns, > etc.... > > -Kristen Hoss > Marine Researcher > and Wildlife Biologist-USDA/APHIS/WS > > "scott.stripling" wrote: > With the NE Caribbean currently located underneath an elongated area of > low pressure, > light and variable winds will continue to dominate the region for the > next 1 to 2 weeks. > Computer models are forecasting only brief (6-12 hour periods) of anything > approaching normal trade wind flow during this time. Thus the stagnant > mixing conditions will > persist regionally through the first week of October, at the least. > > Scott Stripling > NOAA/NWS San Juan > > Alan E Strong wrote: > >> *NOTICE - Bleaching continues to evolve throughout Eastern Caribbean* >> >> Beginning in the central Keys during August (Sombrero Key especially) >> the warm water episode and accompanying bleaching for this year is >> progressing south and eastward through Cuba, Puerto Rico and the >> Virgin Islands. This can visually be seen in our recent 12-week >> composite of HotSpot accumulations - Degree Heating Weeks (DHWs): >> >> http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/data2/dhwa.9.19.2005.gif >> >> and HotSpots: >> >> http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/data/hotspotwnc.gif >> >> Extremely high DHWs above "8" in much of the Virgin Islands are quite >> worrisome as these levels in past bleaching events typically bring >> some mortality to corals. This evolving episode continues to be at >> near unprecedented levels of thermal stress for this region since our >> satellite records began in the mid-80s. From the chart one can observe >> that eastern Puerto Rico is under higher levels of thermal stress at >> present than western PR....hence the recent reports of considerable >> bleaching. Until some reduced solar radiation and/or wind & mixing >> comes to the "rescue" we worry about prospects along much of the >> Windward Islands toward South America over the next month or so. >> >> Sorry our repot couldn't be more positive. >> >> Regards, >> >> Al Strong >> NOAA's Coral Reef Watch >> http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/index.html >> >>------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> >>_______________________________________________ >>Coral-List mailing list >>Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >>http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list >> >> > _______________________________________________ > Coral-List mailing list > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list > > > --------------------------------- > Yahoo! for Good > Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. > _______________________________________________ > Coral-List mailing list > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list > From erik at notesfromtheroad.com Sat Sep 24 17:41:12 2005 From: erik at notesfromtheroad.com (Erik Gauger) Date: Sat, 24 Sep 2005 14:41:12 -0700 Subject: [Coral-List] Coral List Submission In-Reply-To: <20050923212528.9707B17951@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Message-ID: At the beginning of this week, Kalai posted a public reply to my email about Guana Cay. He asked, "how close is the reef to the golf course?" The answer is that the reef is 45 feet from the shore. There is a photo here. The land is a proposed fairway. http://www.notesfromtheroad.com/WestIndies/bakers_bay_intro4.htm I have received over 50 gracious replies to my original query. It may take me a few weeks to respond to everybody. However, the assistance I have received has been enormous. I understand that with bleaching, etc there are more pressing issues in the coral world. I want to make it clear that the proposed golf course is very 'green' and that this issue is one of 'best practices' versus 'what will actually happen to the reef.' The golf course uses seagrass paspalam, and the land will be terraformed so that the runoff from the fertilizer will go into a manmade wetlands (the mangroves are being cleared for a 250 slip marina). Several of you have written me that golf courses can be built in a very green way. I am familiar with such golf course projects in places like Hawaii, where the golf course and reef are separated by hundreds of yards and even hills. Guana Cay is very different because it is a tiny island only an 1/8th of a mile wide and seven miles long. The 250 boat marina will be dredged from mangroves or wetlands, and will be as close to the reef as the Disney dredging project, which was estimated to have killed off 1/3 of the corals on the Northeastern edge of the island. A large pdf of the golf course plan: http://www.discoverylandco.com/images/bakersbay/illustrative_plan.p df and my map of the island: http://www.notesfromtheroad.com/WestIndies/guana_map.html Thanks for all your assistance in helping someone from the outside. Erik notesfromtheroad.com -----Original Message----- From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov [mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov]On Behalf Of coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 1:25 PM To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov Subject: SPAM-LOW: Coral-List Digest, Vol 27, Issue 21 Send Coral-List mailing list submissions to coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov You can reach the person managing the list at coral-list-owner at coral.aoml.noaa.gov When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Coral-List digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Re: Present Bleaching Event - PR & USVI etc. (Kristen Hoss) 2. U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting (Beth Dieveney) 3. Re: Re: Coral-List Digest, Vol 27, Issue 20 (Alan E Strong) ------------------------------------------------------------------- --- Message: 1 Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 08:28:36 -0700 (PDT) From: Kristen Hoss Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Present Bleaching Event - PR & USVI etc. To: "scott.stripling" , Alan E Strong Cc: Roger B Griffis , coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov, Lisamarie.Carrubba at noaa.gov Message-ID: <20050923152836.67610.qmail at web53912.mail.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Hello, I was wondering if anyone has ever studied the correlation of coral bleaching episodes as possible indicators of what hurricane activity may be like during the year? I was wondering if there was a connection that could be used as a prediction tool, or if the correlation would just be related to the already known water temperatures and weather patterns, etc.... -Kristen Hoss Marine Researcher and Wildlife Biologist-USDA/APHIS/WS "scott.stripling" wrote: With the NE Caribbean currently located underneath an elongated area of low pressure, light and variable winds will continue to dominate the region for the next 1 to 2 weeks. Computer models are forecasting only brief (6-12 hour periods) of anything approaching normal trade wind flow during this time. Thus the stagnant mixing conditions will persist regionally through the first week of October, at the least. Scott Stripling NOAA/NWS San Juan Alan E Strong wrote: > *NOTICE - Bleaching continues to evolve throughout Eastern Caribbean* > > Beginning in the central Keys during August (Sombrero Key especially) > the warm water episode and accompanying bleaching for this year is > progressing south and eastward through Cuba, Puerto Rico and the > Virgin Islands. This can visually be seen in our recent 12-week > composite of HotSpot accumulations - Degree Heating Weeks (DHWs): > > http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/data2/dhwa.9.19.2005.gif > > and HotSpots: > > http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/data/hotspotwnc.gif > > Extremely high DHWs above "8" in much of the Virgin Islands are quite > worrisome as these levels in past bleaching events typically bring > some mortality to corals. This evolving episode continues to be at > near unprecedented levels of thermal stress for this region since our > satellite records began in the mid-80s. From the chart one can observe > that eastern Puerto Rico is under higher levels of thermal stress at > present than western PR....hence the recent reports of considerable > bleaching. Until some reduced solar radiation and/or wind & mixing > comes to the "rescue" we worry about prospects along much of the > Windward Islands toward South America over the next month or so. > > Sorry our repot couldn't be more positive. > > Regards, > > Al Strong > NOAA's Coral Reef Watch > http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/index.html > >------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ > >_______________________________________________ >Coral-List mailing list >Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list > > _______________________________________________ Coral-List mailing list Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list --------------------------------- Yahoo! for Good Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. From charlesb at hawaii.edu Fri Sep 23 13:00:42 2005 Return-Path: X-Original-To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov Delivered-To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov Received: by coral.aoml.noaa.gov (Postfix, from userid 504) id DAAF817931; Fri, 23 Sep 2005 17:00:42 +0000 (UTC) Received: from localhost (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by localhost.domain.tld (Postfix) with ESMTP id 9795717930 for ; Fri, 23 Sep 2005 13:00:40 -0400 (EDT) Received: from rapidash.its.hawaii.edu (rapidash.its.hawaii.edu [128.171.224.40]) by coral.aoml.noaa.gov (Postfix) with ESMTP id D82F51792A for ; Fri, 23 Sep 2005 17:00:36 +0000 (UTC) Received: from conversion-daemon.mail.hawaii.edu by mail.hawaii.edu (iPlanet Messaging Server 5.1 HotFix 1.14 (built Oct 8 2003)) id <0INA00F014JJE4 at mail.hawaii.edu>; Fri, 23 Sep 2005 07:00:35 -1000 (HST) Received: from hawaii.edu (mail.hawaii.edu [128.171.224.41]) by mail.hawaii.edu (iPlanet Messaging Server 5.1 HotFix 1.14 (built Oct 8 2003)) with ESMTP id <0INA00EOW4KZMJ at mail.hawaii.edu>; Fri, 23 Sep 2005 07:00:35 -1000 (HST) Received: from [66.75.126.157] by mail.hawaii.edu (mshttpd); Fri, 23 Sep 2005 07:00:35 -1000 Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 07:00:35 -1000 From: Charles Birkeland To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov Message-id: <517d1a510df3.510df3517d1a at hawaii.edu> MIME-version: 1.0 X-Mailer: iPlanet Messenger Express 5.1 HotFix 1.14 (built Oct 8 2003) Content-type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 Content-language: en Content-transfer-encoding: quoted-printable Content-disposition: inline X-Accept-Language: en /usr/bin/arc: /usr/bin/arc X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.0.4 (2005-06-05) on coral.aoml.noaa.gov X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Status: No, score=0.0 required=5.0 tests=none autolearn=unavailable version=3.0.4 X-Mailman-Approved-At: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 13:32:44 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Re: Coral-List Digest, Vol 27, Issue 20 X-BeenThere: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.2 Precedence: list List-Id: NOAA's Coral Health and Monitoring Program (CHAMP) listserver for coral reef information and news List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , Jim=2C That is the focus of much research in American samoa=2E The reefs there = are so remarkably resilient to multiple disturbances and stresses=2C we = are trying to determine the mechanisms=2E Are they acclimatization=2C = adaptation=2C small-scale environmental factors or particular = combinations=3F Abstract (first draft) for the USCRTF meeting reads as = follows=3A Long-Term Research in American Samoa on Adjustments of Corals to = Climate Changes Coral reefs have always been dynamic systems=2C constantly in a state of = recovery from disparate disturbances that have been a perpetual part = of the environment=2E In the past three decades=2C however=2C a large num= ber = of reefs around the world have lost the ability to recover and have = continued to decline=2C even after the disturbance has gone=2E There is a= = crucial need for coral-reef management to determine the factors that = promote resilience=2C the ability to recover=2C in coral reefs=2E The cor= al = reefs of American Samoa (AS) have continued to be remarkably resilient = to large scale disturbances=2C recovering within about 15 years after a = crown-of-thorns starfish outbreak (1977) and also after two hurricanes = (1990 and 1991)=2C and even more rapidly after widespread bleaching = associated with warm seawater (1994=2C 2002=2C and 2003)=2E The corals in= AS = have also shown special resistance to local stress in particular = sites=2E In the shallow backreef moat in the National Park on Ofu = Island=2C at least 80 species of scleractinian corals withstand brief = but severe fluctuations in water temperature (up to 6=2E5=BA C within a = day=2C reaching 35=2E5=BA C)=2C fluctuations in dissolved O2 (15 to 220 = percent saturation)=2C and strong UV radiation=2E The determination of = the mechanisms of resilience of Samoan reefs will provide important = guidance for reef management and for selection of sites for MPAs=2E In = order to tease out the roles of acclimatization (physiological and = biochemical changes in the corals=2C and shifts in types of = zooxanthellae)=2C adaptations (genetic changes)=2C and extrinsic factors = (e=2Eg=2E=2C patterns of water motion)=2C transplant experiments were = undertaken by Lance Smith and Dan Barshis=2E Smith and Barshis performed = 754 reciprocal and controlled transplantations of corals between = stressful and benign habitats=2E Lance found that both acclimatization = and water motion have significant roles in the resilience of corals in = the Ofu backreef moat=2E Dan is performing biochemical analyses of the = coral tissues to assess changes in levels of heat-shock proteins=2C = antioxidants and other chemicals that indicate disruption of = photosynthetic and metabolic processes in time sequences following = transplantation=2E He is aided by Ruth Gates and Rob Toonen (Hawaii = Institute of Marine Biology) and Jonathan Stillman (San Francisco = State Univ=2E)=2E Greg Piniak (NOAA) took over 600 determinations of = fluorescence yield of zooxanthellae to estimate how well the = photosynthetic system is working in the symbiotic relation with the = coral community=2E Changes in phylotypes of zooxanthellae are being = assessed by Andrew Baker (WCS and Columbia University)=2E Virginia = Garrison and Christina Kellogg (USGS) are determining changes in = associated microbial communities on the corals=2E Adaptation will be = tested by comparing the thermal tolerance of juvenile corals from = planulae originating from adults transplanted from the forereef over a = year before parthenogenic planulation=2C with thermal tolerance of = juvenile corals from planulae from adults transplanted from the = backreef=2E Genetic differences from forereef and backreef populations = are also being examined=2E These experimental studies are within a = backdrop of long-term studies=2E The first permanent transect in AS that = has been quantitatively monitored to this day was started in 1917=2E = Some large colonies of Porites have recorded climatic changes in their = skeletons for hundreds of years=2E The goals of these studies are to = provide an understanding of the sensitivity and adaptability of coral = reef systems to environmental changes so that we can predict the = effects of climate changes=2C and to provide insight into which coral = reef sites are most important to protect from disruptive human = activities so as to provide broodstock of corals for reef recovery=2E ----- Original Message ----- From=3A coral-list-request=40coral=2Eaoml=2Enoaa=2Egov Date=3A Friday=2C September 23=2C 2005 6=3A00 am Subject=3A Coral-List Digest=2C Vol 27=2C Issue 20 =3E Send Coral-List mailing list submissions to =3E coral-list=40coral=2Eaoml=2Enoaa=2Egov =3E = =3E To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web=2C visit =3E http=3A//coral=2Eaoml=2Enoaa=2Egov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list =3E or=2C via email=2C send a message with subject or body =27help=27 to =3E coral-list-request=40coral=2Eaoml=2Enoaa=2Egov =3E = =3E You can reach the person managing the list at =3E coral-list-owner=40coral=2Eaoml=2Enoaa=2Egov =3E = =3E When replying=2C please edit your Subject line so it is more specific= =3E than =22Re=3A Contents of Coral-List digest=2E=2E=2E=22 =3E = =3E = =3E Today=27s Topics=3A =3E = =3E 1=2E Re=3A no-bleaching data (Jim Hendee) =3E = =3E = =3E --------------------------------------------------------------- ---- =3E --- =3E = =3E Message=3A 1 =3E Date=3A Fri=2C 23 Sep 2005 10=3A24=3A03 -0400 =3E From=3A =22Jim Hendee=22 =3CJim=2EHendee=40noaa=2Egov=3E =3E Subject=3A Re=3A =5BCoral-List=5D no-bleaching data =3E To=3A coral-list=40coral=2Eaoml=2Enoaa=2Egov =3E Message-ID=3A =3C43341003=2E5090101=40noaa=2Egov=3E =3E Content-Type=3A text/plain=3B charset=3Dwindows-1252 =3E = =3E Georgina=2C =3E = =3E Great thought! Instead of focusing quite so much on where and why= =3E =22the sky is falling=22 on our coral reefs=2C focus on where and why= = (under =3E apparently similar conditions) the sky is not falling=2C and protect = =3E thoseareas so they can recruit still larger areas=2E It will be = =3E interesting to =3E learn if it is the conditions=2C or the physiology=2C or both (most = =3E likely)=2Cfor areas of non-bleaching where high sea temperature/high =3E irradiance/whatever models predict bleaching=2E It sounds like a gre= at =3E line of research=2E =3E = =3E Cheers=2C =3E Jim =3E = =3E Georgina Bustamante wrote=3A =3E = =3E =3EI hope observers can also detect (and eventually identify) specifi= c =3E =3Econditions under which some coral reefs located in areas with = =3E high risk =3E =3E(high temeperature=2C etc=2E) are not bleaching at all=2E That ma= y = =3E provide useful =3E =3Einformation for MPA design and planning=2E =3E =3E =3E =3EGeorgina Bustamante=2C Ph=2ED=2E =3E =3EMarine Science and Policy Consultant =3E =3E3800 N Hills Dr=2E =23216 =3E =3EHollywood=2C Florida 33021 =3E =3EU=2ES=2EA=2E =3E =3Etel/fax(request) 954-963-3626 =3E =3E = =3E =3E =3E = =3E ------------------------------ =3E = =3E =5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F= 5F= =5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F=5F= 5F=5F =3E Coral-List mailing list =3E Coral-List=40coral=2Eaoml=2Enoaa=2Egov =3E http=3A//coral=2Eaoml=2Enoaa=2Egov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list =3E = =3E = =3E End of Coral-List Digest=2C Vol 27=2C Issue 20 =3E ****************************************** =3E ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 13:54:06 -0400 From: "Beth Dieveney" Subject: [Coral-List] U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov Message-ID: <4334413E.D7A74BF2 at noaa.gov> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Apologies for Cross Posting Update for the upcoming U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting, November 4-7 in the Republic of Palau. Please see below for information on Registration, Dates, Location, Travel, Hotel, Exhibit Information, Public Comment, and a Sustainable Finance workshop on November 3. For more information contact: beth.dieveney at noaa.gov Meeting Details: Registration: Please register in advance. Registration is available on the Coral Reef Task Force website: www.coralreef.gov. Dates: The Business Meeting will take place on Saturday, November 5 and Monday, November 7. Agendas for the full weeks activities and the Business Meeting will soon be available on the website Location: Business Meeting  Ngarachamayong Cultural Center Travel: Plan your travel in advance. Contact Continental and Micronesian Continental Airlines: www.continental.com 1-800-231-0856. We have a group discount rate. When making reservations provide the Z Code ZQRZ and Agreement Code UEKRWB. This discount is good for October 28  November 13, 2005. Hotel Information: PALASIA HOTEL 70 rooms have been made available and guaranteed for October 29  November 8. Cut-off date is October 22, 2005 Room rate is offered at; ~ $80.00 plus 15% tax inclusive of daily breakfast for single occupancy (subject to 1 guest in a room), and space availability to a Deluxe Town View or Deluxe Bay View room category ~ $100.00 plus 15% tax inclusive of daily breakfast for two (subject to 2 guest in a room), and space availability to a Deluxe Town View or Deluxe Bay View room category ~ $180.00 plus 15% tax inclusive of daily breakfast based on single or double room occupancy and subject to space availability to Junior Suite room category ~ $250.00 plus 15% tax inclusive of daily breakfast based on single or double room occupancy and subject to space availability to Executive Suite room category Upon confirming Room reservation to guest credit card information is required or one night's room rate payment for room guarantee 6. PALASIA HOTEL CONTACT Janice Aguon, Asst. Manager Reservation Department Palasia Hotel, Palau P.O. Box 10027 Koror, Republic of Belau 96940 Tel: (680) 488-8803 ext. 122 Fax: (680) 488-8800 Email: res.palasia at palaunet.com Exhibit Information: Exhibit space is available for approximately 20 exhibits at the Ngarachamayong Cultural Center, site of the public meeting for the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force meeting. These spaces will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. We offer either space for pop-up/stand-alone displays, or tables for literature. Exhibits must be set up during the day of Thursday, 4 November, and should be removed after the Task Force meeting (i.e. after 5 pm) Monday, 7 November. Exhibits may be shipped to Palau (see below) or brought by the exhibitor to Palau and delivered to the Ngarachamayong Cultural Center, with prior arrangement. To Reserve space, Schedule delivery of exhibits, or for Questions Call or E-mail: Andrew Bauman abauman at palau-oerc.net Ph: 011.680.488.6950 Fx: 011.680.488.8638 Beth Dieveney Beth.Dieveney at noaa.gov Ph: 301.713.2989 x 200 Fx: 301.713.4389 In the email please indicate the following: 1. Name 2. Contact information (email, fax, phone number) 3. Organization/affiliation 4. Request  table, space for stand-up exhibit 5. Special needs  electrical outlets, etc 6. Whether you plan to ship or carry materials to Palau Ship to/from Address: Andrew Bauman Re: Coral Reef Task Force P.O. Box 7086 Koror, Palau 96940 Micronesia Public Comment Information: There will be opportunity during the first day of the Business meeting, November 5 to provide public comment. You need to sign up in advance; email beth.dieveney at noaa.gov. We are requesting that you provide public comment in written format at the time of the meeting. Please provide the following information: 1. Name 2. Contact information (email, fax, phone number) 3. Organization/affiliation If you are unable to attend but would like to provide written comments in advance, please email comments to beth.dieveney at noaa.gov by October 22. These will be compiled and addressed at the meeting. Sustainable Financing Workshop  November 3 International Coral Reef Initiative  U.S. Coral Reef Task Force with The Nature Conservancy are hosting a Sustainable Financing Workshop. Information will soon be posted on the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force website: www.coralreef.gov and the International Coral Reef Initiative website: www.icriforum.org. -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Elizabeth Dieveney U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Coordinator NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program 1305 East-West Highway, N/ORR, Rm. 10127 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: (301) 713-2989 x 200 Fax: (301) 713-4389 Email: Beth.Dieveney at noaa.gov ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 14:50:49 -0400 From: "Alan E Strong" Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Re: Coral-List Digest, Vol 27, Issue 20 To: gbustamante at bellsouth.net Cc: Charles Birkeland , coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov, "Dr. William Skirving" , Scott Heron , Jim Hendee Message-ID: <43344E89.4050709 at noaa.gov> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252" Hi Georgina, Great question!!! You need to get a copy of the latest report we have just submitted to TNC for a project in Palau to do just what you talk about. We are developing hydrodynamic models for use in these coastal areas after finding several years ago with our work on the Great Barrier Reef with some Australian colleagues that these tools may prove the most useful in identifying areas withing reef ecosystems that might have more resistance and/or resilience to bleaching. Papers are in various stages of progress... I am coying this to Drs. William Skirving and Scott Heron, our Australian contractors who helped us develop these models, and am hopeful that they can give you further guidance...if necessary. Cheers Al Charles Birkeland wrote: >Jim, > >That is the focus of much research in American samoa. The reefs there >are so remarkably resilient to multiple disturbances and stresses, we >are trying to determine the mechanisms. Are they acclimatization, >adaptation, small-scale environmental factors or particular >combinations? Abstract (first draft) for the USCRTF meeting reads as >follows: > >Long-Term Research in American Samoa on Adjustments of Corals to >Climate Changes > >Coral reefs have always been dynamic systems, constantly in a state of >recovery from disparate disturbances that have been a perpetual part >of the environment. In the past three decades, however, a large number >of reefs around the world have lost the ability to recover and have >continued to decline, even after the disturbance has gone. There is a >crucial need for coral-reef management to determine the factors that >promote resilience, the ability to recover, in coral reefs. The coral >reefs of American Samoa (AS) have continued to be remarkably resilient >to large scale disturbances, recovering within about 15 years after a >crown-of-thorns starfish outbreak (1977) and also after two hurricanes >(1990 and 1991), and even more rapidly after widespread bleaching >associated with warm seawater (1994, 2002, and 2003). The corals in AS >have also shown special resistance to local stress in particular >sites. In the shallow backreef moat in the National Park on Ofu >Island, at least 80 species of scleractinian corals withstand brief >but severe fluctuations in water temperature (up to 6.5: C within a >day, reaching 35.5: C), fluctuations in dissolved O2 (15 to 220 >percent saturation), and strong UV radiation. The determination of >the mechanisms of resilience of Samoan reefs will provide important >guidance for reef management and for selection of sites for MPAs. In >order to tease out the roles of acclimatization (physiological and >biochemical changes in the corals, and shifts in types of >zooxanthellae), adaptations (genetic changes), and extrinsic factors >(e.g., patterns of water motion), transplant experiments were >undertaken by Lance Smith and Dan Barshis. Smith and Barshis performed >754 reciprocal and controlled transplantations of corals between >stressful and benign habitats. Lance found that both acclimatization >and water motion have significant roles in the resilience of corals in >the Ofu backreef moat. Dan is performing biochemical analyses of the >coral tissues to assess changes in levels of heat-shock proteins, >antioxidants and other chemicals that indicate disruption of >photosynthetic and metabolic processes in time sequences following >transplantation. He is aided by Ruth Gates and Rob Toonen (Hawaii >Institute of Marine Biology) and Jonathan Stillman (San Francisco >State Univ.). Greg Piniak (NOAA) took over 600 determinations of >fluorescence yield of zooxanthellae to estimate how well the >photosynthetic system is working in the symbiotic relation with the >coral community. Changes in phylotypes of zooxanthellae are being >assessed by Andrew Baker (WCS and Columbia University). Virginia >Garrison and Christina Kellogg (USGS) are determining changes in >associated microbial communities on the corals. Adaptation will be >tested by comparing the thermal tolerance of juvenile corals from >planulae originating from adults transplanted from the forereef over a >year before parthenogenic planulation, with thermal tolerance of >juvenile corals from planulae from adults transplanted from the >backreef. Genetic differences from forereef and backreef populations >are also being examined. These experimental studies are within a >backdrop of long-term studies. The first permanent transect in AS that >has been quantitatively monitored to this day was started in 1917. >Some large colonies of Porites have recorded climatic changes in their >skeletons for hundreds of years. The goals of these studies are to >provide an understanding of the sensitivity and adaptability of coral >reef systems to environmental changes so that we can predict the >effects of climate changes, and to provide insight into which coral >reef sites are most important to protect from disruptive human >activities so as to provide broodstock of corals for reef recovery. > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >Date: Friday, September 23, 2005 6:00 am >Subject: Coral-List Digest, Vol 27, Issue 20 > > > >>Send Coral-List mailing list submissions to >> coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >> >>To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit >> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list >>or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to >> coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >> >>You can reach the person managing the list at >> coral-list-owner at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >> >>When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific >>than "Re: Contents of Coral-List digest..." >> >> >>Today's Topics: >> >> 1. Re: no-bleaching data (Jim Hendee) >> >> >>----------------------------------------------------------------- -- >>--- >> >>Message: 1 >>Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 10:24:03 -0400 >>From: "Jim Hendee" >>Subject: Re: [Coral-List] no-bleaching data >>To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >>Message-ID: <43341003.5090101 at noaa.gov> >>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 >> >>Georgina, >> >> Great thought! Instead of focusing quite so much on where and why >>"the sky is falling" on our coral reefs, focus on where and why >> >> >(under > > >>apparently similar conditions) the sky is not falling, and protect >>thoseareas so they can recruit still larger areas. It will be >>interesting to >>learn if it is the conditions, or the physiology, or both (most >>likely),for areas of non-bleaching where high sea temperature/high >>irradiance/whatever models predict bleaching. It sounds like a great >>line of research. >> >> Cheers, >> Jim >> >>Georgina Bustamante wrote: >> >> >> >>>I hope observers can also detect (and eventually identify) specific >>>conditions under which some coral reefs located in areas with >>> >>> >>high risk >> >> >>>(high temeperature, etc.) are not bleaching at all. That may >>> >>> >>provide useful >> >> >>>information for MPA design and planning. >>> >>>Georgina Bustamante, Ph.D. >>>Marine Science and Policy Consultant >>>3800 N Hills Dr. #216 >>>Hollywood, Florida 33021 >>>U.S.A. >>>tel/fax(request) 954-963-3626 >>> >>> >>> >>> >>------------------------------ >> >>_______________________________________________ >>Coral-List mailing list >>Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >>http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list >> >> >>End of Coral-List Digest, Vol 27, Issue 20 >>****************************************** >> >> >> > >_______________________________________________ >Coral-List mailing list >Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list > > -- **** <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* Alan E. Strong Branch Chief, Marine Ecosystem and Climate Branch (MECB) Coral Reef Watch Project Coordinator Phys Scientist/Oceanographer NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/SOCD -- E/RA3 {formerly NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/ORAD} NOAA Science Center -- RM 601 5200 Auth Road Camp Springs, MD 20746-4304 Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov 301-763-8102 x170 [Tues-Thurs] 301-713-2857 x108 [Mon & Fri] (SSMC1 - RM 5304; Silver Spring, MD) FAX: 301-763-8572 http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/ ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Coral-List mailing list Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list End of Coral-List Digest, Vol 27, Issue 21 ****************************************** From adrihumanes at yahoo.com Sun Sep 25 18:57:14 2005 From: adrihumanes at yahoo.com (AdRiAnA HuMaNeS) Date: Sun, 25 Sep 2005 17:57:14 -0500 (CDT) Subject: [Coral-List] Phenotipc plasticity of Corals Message-ID: <20050925225714.85679.qmail@web33112.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Hi everyone! I am writting to ask if anybody has information (articles, reviews) about phenotipic plasticity of corals. Specially I?m working with A.agaricites, P.astreoides and D.strigosa. Any kind of information will be helpfull for sure! If anyone can help me write to adrihumanes at yahoo.com Thanks! Adriana Humanes Universidad Central de Venezuela __________________________________________________ Correo Yahoo! Espacio para todos tus mensajes, antivirus y antispam ?gratis! Reg?strate ya - http://correo.espanol.yahoo.com/ From justin.marshall at uq.edu.au Fri Sep 23 18:32:42 2005 From: justin.marshall at uq.edu.au (Associate Professor Justin Marshall) Date: Sat, 24 Sep 2005 08:32:42 +1000 Subject: [Coral-List] CoralWatch Colour cards - easy data from E-Caribbean bleach Message-ID: If anyone trying to keep track of current bleaching events in the E- Caribbean would like a set of CoralWatch colour matching cards to do this (details to be found at http://www.coralwatch.org/) please let us know - we can send out small numbers of these (ie 10-20) free. We can also provide help on different methods of chart use. If you like the system, please encourage non-experts to have a go also (ie schools, local monitoring groups) we have calibrated likely error from such groups and it is small. If you do gather data with the system, there is no obligation to let us have it, however we have a database at our website and we appreciate your time in entering data here if you can spare the time. It plots graphs for you and other stuff. The idea here is to build spatial and temporal pictures of bleaching and recovery on a global scale. The key features of the system are: Ease of use by non-experts and therefore the potential to build large teams doing this. The 6-part scale of colour change allowing more info than just bleached and not bleached. For some corals this is directly correlated to symbiont count. The ease of integration of this system into existing monitoring plans (ReefCheck and PADI - ProjectAware use it). The use of the system in any number of ways to suit current methods - ie transects, random point walks/snorkells/dives or fixed point monitoring. For further details see http://www.coralwatch.org/ Cheers - Justin (Project leader - Coral Watch) From Khedges at khwisdom.com Fri Sep 23 22:16:07 2005 From: Khedges at khwisdom.com (Kathryn Hedges) Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 21:16:07 -0500 Subject: [Coral-List] question about coral Message-ID: <4334B6E7.6050400@khwisdom.com> I am a teacher in Indiana and I have been reading the messages on the coral reef listserve. I want to know what types of algae are within the coral as (symbionts?). I was told that rice coral releases the algae during spawning - do corals release their algae at other times too? Do stressed coral release some of the zooxanthallae ? I also wanted to know if there is any measure of UV exposure to the corals that are bleaching? And if the temperature is as important as the duration of the temperature? ie could coral withstand a rapid increase in temperature if it were of real;atively short duration better than prolonged temperature increases - even at lesser temperatures? I would think that there might be a greater apoxia as a result of the prolonged increases in temperature. -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. From stevetooze1 at hotmail.com Mon Sep 26 04:12:44 2005 From: stevetooze1 at hotmail.com (steve tooze) Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 09:12:44 +0100 Subject: [Coral-List] Need a writer or journalist? Message-ID: Perhaps you want the latest news or results from your project written up in an accessible way in order to reach a non-expert mainstream magazine and newspaper readership? Or maybe your organization needs an experienced writer or journalist with a genuine interest in reef conservation and management to communicate your ideas and aims to a wider audience? I?m a general news and features journalist with 20 years experience of writing for national press and magazines in the UK. I?m also a keen scuba diver. I?m hoping to specialize as a writer and communicator in your field and, to this end, I have been accepted on the MSc course in Tropical Coastal Management at Newcastle University, starting in September 2006. Meanwhile, I would really like to spend the next 12 months actively involved in ? and gaining more experience about ? the work in which I hope to base my future career. So if you feel you can use my writing and communications skills and experience, please contact me via my email address stevetooze1 at hotmail.com. I am, of course, more than willing to work overseas. regards Steve Tooze _________________________________________________________________ MSN Messenger 7.5 is now out. Download it for FREE here. http://messenger.msn.co.uk From Etichscuba at aol.com Mon Sep 26 10:27:19 2005 From: Etichscuba at aol.com (Etichscuba at aol.com) Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 10:27:19 EDT Subject: [Coral-List] Bleaching Prediction - Boynton Bch., FL Message-ID: Bleaching Prediction - Boynton Bch., FL Meandrina meandrites colonies located on Gulf Stream Reef (26 31 00 N, 80 02 00 W) Boynton Beach, Florida have been observed to bleach and recover on a predictable annual cycle. A five year investigation performed from 2000 to 2004 has documented this occurrence. The annual onset of bleaching within days following the autumnal equinox suggest this phenomenon may be triggered by day length. Dives conducted in the investigation area on Sept. 24, 2005 found no evidence of bleaching Meandrina colonies (or other corals). The earliest Meandrina bleaching reported in this area is Oct. 2. The next investigation dive is scheduled for Oct. 1, 2005. I will report back to let you know if bleaching is detected. If you would like to learn more about this phenomenon visit the website I have setup @: http://hometown.aol.com/etichscuba/ or feel free to contact me. Ed Tichenor, Director Palm Beach County Reef Rescue PO Box 207 Boynton Beach, FL 33425 www.reef-rescue.org fax: (561) 364-5951 phone: (561) 699-8559 From vanesef at yahoo.com Mon Sep 26 10:10:16 2005 From: vanesef at yahoo.com (Vanese Flood) Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 07:10:16 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Coral-List] Coral List Submission In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <20050926141017.98933.qmail@web51902.mail.yahoo.com> Hi Erik, I'm surprised at the comment "with bleaching, etc there are more pressing issues in the coral world". At this point, all corals that are in healthy condition should be kept that way precisely because of coral bleaching on other reefs. Additionally, mangroves are "wetlands". They are important buffers to both land from hurricane damage and to reefs from land run-off. The affects of last year's Tsunami were greatly worsened in areas where mangroves had been cut back for commercial fish farming. The golf course construction must be costing millions. Surely they should protect their investment by letting nature provide an important buffer from storm erosion. Mangroves will provide this. As for a "wet land" buffer for runoff from the fertilizer -- does anyone on the list know if mangroves can serve in this way?? In addition to this, mangroves are important fish hatcheries/nurseries. Get the fishermen and dive operators involved in this project. I'll stick my neck out here and say that THERE is a direct effect on fish populations when mangroves have been depleted. The more involvement from various other businesses in the area, the stronger your argument to get the developers to work with you. Good luck, and keep us posted on the development. Vanese Flood --- Erik Gauger wrote: > At the beginning of this week, Kalai posted a public > reply to my > email about Guana Cay. He asked, "how close is the > reef to the > golf course?" > > The answer is that the reef is 45 feet from the > shore. There is a > photo here. The land is a proposed fairway. > > http://www.notesfromtheroad.com/WestIndies/bakers_bay_intro4.htm > > I have received over 50 gracious replies to my > original query. It > may take me a few weeks to respond to everybody. > However, the > assistance I have received has been enormous. I > understand that > with bleaching, etc there are more pressing issues > in the coral > world. > > I want to make it clear that the proposed golf > course is very > 'green' and that this issue is one of 'best > practices' versus 'what > will actually happen to the reef.' The golf course > uses seagrass > paspalam, and the land will be terraformed so that > the runoff from > the fertilizer will go into a manmade wetlands (the > mangroves are > being cleared for a 250 slip marina). > > Several of you have written me that golf courses can > be built in a > very green way. I am familiar with such golf course > projects in > places like Hawaii, where the golf course and reef > are separated by > hundreds of yards and even hills. Guana Cay is very > different > because it is a tiny island only an 1/8th of a mile > wide and seven > miles long. The 250 boat marina will be dredged > from mangroves or > wetlands, and will be as close to the reef as the > Disney dredging > project, which was estimated to have killed off 1/3 > of the corals > on the Northeastern edge of the island. > > A large pdf of the golf course plan: > > http://www.discoverylandco.com/images/bakersbay/illustrative_plan.p > df > > and my map of the island: > > http://www.notesfromtheroad.com/WestIndies/guana_map.html > > Thanks for all your assistance in helping someone > from the outside. > > Erik > notesfromtheroad.com > > -----Original Message----- > From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > [mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov]On > Behalf Of > coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 1:25 PM > To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > Subject: SPAM-LOW: Coral-List Digest, Vol 27, Issue > 21 > > > Send Coral-List mailing list submissions to > coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, > visit > > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list > or, via email, send a message with subject or body > 'help' to > coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > > You can reach the person managing the list at > coral-list-owner at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it > is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Coral-List digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: Present Bleaching Event - PR & USVI etc. > (Kristen Hoss) > 2. U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting (Beth > Dieveney) > 3. Re: Re: Coral-List Digest, Vol 27, Issue 20 > (Alan E Strong) > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------- > --- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 08:28:36 -0700 (PDT) > From: Kristen Hoss > Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Present Bleaching Event - > PR & USVI etc. > To: "scott.stripling" , > Alan E Strong > > Cc: Roger B Griffis , > coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov, > Lisamarie.Carrubba at noaa.gov > Message-ID: > <20050923152836.67610.qmail at web53912.mail.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > > Hello, > > I was wondering if anyone has ever studied the > correlation of coral > bleaching episodes as possible indicators of what > hurricane > activity may be like during the year? I was > wondering if there was > a connection that could be used as a prediction > tool, or if the > correlation would just be related to the already > known water > temperatures and weather patterns, etc.... > > -Kristen Hoss > Marine Researcher > and Wildlife Biologist-USDA/APHIS/WS > > "scott.stripling" wrote: > With the NE Caribbean currently located underneath > an elongated > area of > low pressure, > light and variable winds will continue to dominate > the region for > the > next 1 to 2 weeks. > Computer models are forecasting only brief (6-12 > hour periods) of > anything > approaching normal trade wind flow during this time. > Thus the > stagnant > mixing conditions will > persist regionally through the first week of > October, at the least. > > Scott Stripling > NOAA/NWS San Juan > > Alan E Strong wrote: > > > *NOTICE - Bleaching continues to evolve throughout > Eastern > Caribbean* > > > > Beginning in the central Keys during August > (Sombrero Key > especially) > > the warm water episode and accompanying bleaching > for this year > is > > progressing south and eastward through Cuba, > Puerto Rico and the > > Virgin Islands. This can visually be seen in our > recent 12-week > > composite of HotSpot accumulations - Degree > Heating Weeks (DHWs): > > > > > http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/data2/dhwa.9.19.2005.gif > > > > and HotSpots: > > > > > http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/data/hotspotwnc.gif > > > > Extremely high DHWs above "8" in much of the > Virgin Islands are > quite > > worrisome as these levels in past bleaching events > typically > bring > > some mortality to corals. This evolving episode > continues to be > at > === message truncated === __________________________________ Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 http://mail.yahoo.com From Douglas_Morrison at nps.gov Mon Sep 26 13:07:55 2005 From: Douglas_Morrison at nps.gov (Douglas_Morrison at nps.gov) Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 13:07:55 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Interdisciplinary permanent position (GS-11 Biologist or Physical Scientist) at Dry Tortugas National Park In-Reply-To: <20050926160053.4344017957@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Message-ID: ----- Forwarded by Douglas Morrison/EVER/NPS ----- Eileen Winkle To: Bob Howard/EVER/NPS at NPS 09/22/2005 03:56 cc: Douglas Morrison/EVER/NPS PM EDT Subject: Interdisciplinary permanent position - DRTO Please visit www.usajobs.opm.gov for a complete copy of the vacancy announcements stated below. This permanent position is being advertised as interdisciplinary and may be filled as either a Biologist, GS-401-11 or Physical Scientist, GS-1301-11. Vacancy Announcement: DRTO-05-04 and DRTO-DEU-05-03 Opening Date: 09-23-05 Closing Date: 10-13-05 Eileen Winkle Human Resources Specialist Everglades National Park 305.242.7764 Phone 305.242.7766 Fax Eileen_Winkle at nps.gov ----------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Douglas Morrison, Ph.D. Ecologist Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks Florida Bay Interagency Science Center 98630 Overseas Hwy. Key Largo, FL 33037 Email: Douglas_Morrison at nps.gov Phone: 305-852-0324, ext. 0327 Fax: 305-852-0325 -------------------------------------------------------------- From gbustamante at bellsouth.net Mon Sep 26 15:02:56 2005 From: gbustamante at bellsouth.net (Georgina Bustamante) Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 15:02:56 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] bleaching vs. not bleaching In-Reply-To: <433783F9.6070107@noaa.gov> Message-ID: As I understand, the bleaching vs. not bleaching potential for some coral spots that some sinctists think can be used for MPA desing has to do with very local physical conditions (shading, cooling waters, etc.), rather than to larger scale (or regional) conditions. However, you are right that this question is still unclear, particularly if the bleaching resilience (or coral reef areas with milder T conditions) is strong or long lasting enough to be considered special sources of propagules and so regarded as refuge areas. Scientists working on this research question in Australia, Florida and other areas might be able to answer this question better than me. Georgina Bustamante, Ph.D. Marine Science and Policy Consultant 3800 N Hills Dr. #216 Hollywood, Florida 33021 U.S.A. tel/fax(request) 954-963-3626 -----Original Message----- From: William Skirving [mailto:William.Skirving at noaa.gov] Sent: Monday, September 26, 2005 1:16 AM To: Alan E Strong Cc: gbustamante at bellsouth.net; Charles Birkeland; coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov; Scott Heron; Jim Hendee Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Re: Coral-List Digest, Vol 27, Issue 20 Hi Georgina, Yes, this is obviously a good question, and it is a good question because it helps people to recognise that the opposite of a phenomenon we are studying is just as important as the phenomenon itself. One example of this in action is that there have been many bleaching reports over the past handful of years, but very very few "non-bleached" reports in warm water to balance them with. The quick answer to your question is that we really don't know enough about the coral physiology and hence their adaptation/acclimation characteristics to decide if one region is more or less protected from bleaching in a changing environment than another. For that matter, even if we were to assume that we know that the change will be towards a warmer environment, that doesn't mean that we know enough about a particular region to predict that the waters in that region will warm up uniformly. Clearly this type of research is very very important, and your way of thinking is useful to remind people of the fact that there is another side to this story, but we are far from knowing enough to know which regions should and should not be protected based on an understanding of the current and past local marine climate. Cheers William Alan E Strong wrote: Hi Georgina, Great question!!! You need to get a copy of the latest report we have just submitted to TNC for a project in Palau to do just what you talk about. We are developing hydrodynamic models for use in these coastal areas after finding several years ago with our work on the Great Barrier Reef with some Australian colleagues that these tools may prove the most useful in identifying areas withing reef ecosystems that might have more resistance and/or resilience to bleaching. Papers are in various stages of progress... I am coying this to Drs. William Skirving and Scott Heron, our Australian contractors who helped us develop these models, and am hopeful that they can give you further guidance...if necessary. Cheers Al Charles Birkeland wrote: Jim, That is the focus of much research in American samoa. The reefs there are so remarkably resilient to multiple disturbances and stresses, we are trying to determine the mechanisms. Are they acclimatization, adaptation, small-scale environmental factors or particular combinations? Abstract (first draft) for the USCRTF meeting reads as follows: Long-Term Research in American Samoa on Adjustments of Corals to Climate Changes Coral reefs have always been dynamic systems, constantly in a state of recovery from disparate disturbances that have been a perpetual part of the environment. In the past three decades, however, a large number of reefs around the world have lost the ability to recover and have continued to decline, even after the disturbance has gone. There is a crucial need for coral-reef management to determine the factors that promote resilience, the ability to recover, in coral reefs. The coral reefs of American Samoa (AS) have continued to be remarkably resilient to large scale disturbances, recovering within about 15 years after a crown-of-thorns starfish outbreak (1977) and also after two hurricanes (1990 and 1991), and even more rapidly after widespread bleaching associated with warm seawater (1994, 2002, and 2003). The corals in AS have also shown special resistance to local stress in particular sites. In the shallow backreef moat in the National Park on Ofu Island, at least 80 species of scleractinian corals withstand brief but severe fluctuations in water temperature (up to 6.5? C within a day, reaching 35.5? C), fluctuations in dissolved O2 (15 to 220 percent saturation), and strong UV radiation. The determination of the mechanisms of resilience of Samoan reefs will provide important guidance for reef management and for selection of sites for MPAs. In order to tease out the roles of acclimatization (physiological and biochemical changes in the corals, and shifts in types of zooxanthellae), adaptations (genetic changes), and extrinsic factors (e.g., patterns of water motion), transplant experiments were undertaken by Lance Smith and Dan Barshis. Smith and Barshis performed 754 reciprocal and controlled transplantations of corals between stressful and benign habitats. Lance found that both acclimatization and water motion have significant roles in the resilience of corals in the Ofu backreef moat. Dan is performing biochemical analyses of the coral tissues to assess changes in levels of heat-shock proteins, antioxidants and other chemicals that indicate disruption of photosynthetic and metabolic processes in time sequences following transplantation. He is aided by Ruth Gates and Rob Toonen (Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology) and Jonathan Stillman (San Francisco State Univ.). Greg Piniak (NOAA) took over 600 determinations of fluorescence yield of zooxanthellae to estimate how well the photosynthetic system is working in the symbiotic relation with the coral community. Changes in phylotypes of zooxanthellae are being assessed by Andrew Baker (WCS and Columbia University). Virginia Garrison and Christina Kellogg (USGS) are determining changes in associated microbial communities on the corals. Adaptation will be tested by comparing the thermal tolerance of juvenile corals from planulae originating from adults transplanted from the forereef over a year before parthenogenic planulation, with thermal tolerance of juvenile corals from planulae from adults transplanted from the backreef. Genetic differences from forereef and backreef populations are also being examined. These experimental studies are within a backdrop of long-term studies. The first permanent transect in AS that has been quantitatively monitored to this day was started in 1917. Some large colonies of Porites have recorded climatic changes in their skeletons for hundreds of years. The goals of these studies are to provide an understanding of the sensitivity and adaptability of coral reef systems to environmental changes so that we can predict the effects of climate changes, and to provide insight into which coral reef sites are most important to protect from disruptive human activities so as to provide broodstock of corals for reef recovery. ----- Original Message ----- From: coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov Date: Friday, September 23, 2005 6:00 am Subject: Coral-List Digest, Vol 27, Issue 20 Send Coral-List mailing list submissions to coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov You can reach the person managing the list at coral-list-owner at coral.aoml.noaa.gov When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Coral-List digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Re: no-bleaching data (Jim Hendee) ------------------------------------------------------------------- --- Message: 1 Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 10:24:03 -0400 From: "Jim Hendee" Subject: Re: [Coral-List] no-bleaching data To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov Message-ID: <43341003.5090101 at noaa.gov> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 Georgina, Great thought! Instead of focusing quite so much on where and why "the sky is falling" on our coral reefs, focus on where and why (under apparently similar conditions) the sky is not falling, and protect thoseareas so they can recruit still larger areas. It will be interesting to learn if it is the conditions, or the physiology, or both (most likely),for areas of non-bleaching where high sea temperature/high irradiance/whatever models predict bleaching. It sounds like a great line of research. Cheers, Jim Georgina Bustamante wrote: I hope observers can also detect (and eventually identify) specific conditions under which some coral reefs located in areas with high risk (high temeperature, etc.) are not bleaching at all. That may provide useful information for MPA design and planning. Georgina Bustamante, Ph.D. Marine Science and Policy Consultant 3800 N Hills Dr. #216 Hollywood, Florida 33021 U.S.A. tel/fax(request) 954-963-3626 ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Coral-List mailing list Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list End of Coral-List Digest, Vol 27, Issue 20 ****************************************** _______________________________________________ Coral-List mailing list Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list -- **** <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* Alan E. Strong Branch Chief, Marine Ecosystem and Climate Branch (MECB) Coral Reef Watch Project Coordinator Phys Scientist/Oceanographer NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/SOCD -- E/RA3 {formerly NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/ORAD} NOAA Science Center -- RM 601 5200 Auth Road Camp Springs, MD 20746-4304 Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov 301-763-8102 x170 [Tues-Thurs] 301-713-2857 x108 [Mon & Fri] (SSMC1 - RM 5304; Silver Spring, MD) FAX: 301-763-8572 http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/ From brad_rosov at yahoo.com Mon Sep 26 17:33:46 2005 From: brad_rosov at yahoo.com (Brad Rosov) Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 14:33:46 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Coral-List] Coral Bleaching Monitoring in Florida Message-ID: <20050926213346.27853.qmail@web60612.mail.yahoo.com> In wake of the recent posts concerning coral bleaching observations, I want to take this opportunity to inform the list serve of a new bleaching rapid response effort coordinated by The Florida Reef Resilience Program (FRRP). One of the major goals of the Program is to identify factors that contribute to reef resilience. Due to the complexity of attempting to examine all possible factors that could influence coral reef states and rates of change, only one stress, mass coral bleaching, has been examined in detail for a response plan this summer. However, both the sampling design and response plan should be capable of measuring reef responses to other stresses (e.g. cold events, harmful algal blooms, hurricanes, etc.). To date, the FRRP has developed a sampling design based on an expert derived spatial framework of the region, organized and trained approximately 40 data collectors, and has collected data from scores of sites located from Martin County, FL in the north to Key West, FL in the south. To date, we have completed nearly 80% of our initial goal. Two hurricanes have interrupted our fieldwork, but we are resuming work this week. The data collected from this work will hopefully provide a better understanding of the spatial and temporal differences in bleaching intensity, responses, and recoveries. As Georgina Bustamonte mentioned in an earlier post, identifying sites that do not bleach will provide important information. This information can shed light onto which factors (both extrinsic and intrinsic) may be at play in reef resilience. For any additional information on this effort or the FRRP in general, please contact Dr. Phillip Kramer at The Nature Conservancy (pkramer at tnc.org). Cheers, Brad Rosov --------------------------------- Yahoo! for Good Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. From andyroo_of72 at yahoo.com Mon Sep 26 21:04:27 2005 From: andyroo_of72 at yahoo.com (andrew ross) Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 18:04:27 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Coral-List] Coral List Submission In-Reply-To: <20050926141017.98933.qmail@web51902.mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <20050927010427.8973.qmail@web50602.mail.yahoo.com> Eric and the Coral-List, Eric: thanks for being so transparent with the golf course plan. On the Jamaican North Coast we've got several large golf complexes to the East of Montego Bay. These courses have had great impacts on the watershed including modifications to drainage and erosion and high coastal turbidity during the construction phase, particularly with several large downpours beyond what was expected in the engineering and permitting. Of course these have done nasty things to the local coral, seagrass and the fishery and water based tourism products. In the longer term, Eric, you will need to look at how his grass is draining... not over the grass, but through it and into the ground. In Montego Bay are seeing enormous blooms of the green algae Chaetomorpha, beginning a few weeks after the beginning of the summer rains in the vicinity of these golf courses, likely responding to fertilizers coming in from underground drainages. Eric, if you've not got a complete, impermeable barrier underneath your grass collecting your fertilized irrigation water, it will go into the underlying sand/gravel/water table and onto your reef and corals... some 45 feet away. I'll reckon that other respondents have mentioned the potential impacts to your golf product in terms of coastal erosion and reduced general aesthetics with any reduction to these corals, so I'll not go into those. Thanks again, and i hope we are being helpful, Andrew Ross Vanese Flood <> wrote: Hi Erik, I'm surprised at the comment "with bleaching, etc there are more pressing issues in the coral world". At this point, all corals that are in healthy condition should be kept that way precisely because of coral bleaching on other reefs. Additionally, mangroves are "wetlands". They are important buffers to both land from hurricane damage and to reefs from land run-off. The affects of last year's Tsunami were greatly worsened in areas where mangroves had been cut back for commercial fish farming. The golf course construction must be costing millions. Surely they should protect their investment by letting nature provide an important buffer from storm erosion. Mangroves will provide this. As for a "wet land" buffer for runoff from the fertilizer -- does anyone on the list know if mangroves can serve in this way?? In addition to this, mangroves are important fish hatcheries/nurseries. Get the fishermen and dive operators involved in this project. I'll stick my neck out here and say that THERE is a direct effect on fish populations when mangroves have been depleted. The more involvement from various other businesses in the area, the stronger your argument to get the developers to work with you. Good luck, and keep us posted on the development. Vanese Flood --- Erik Gauger wrote: > At the beginning of this week, Kalai posted a public > reply to my > email about Guana Cay. He asked, "how close is the > reef to the > golf course?" > > The answer is that the reef is 45 feet from the > shore. There is a > photo here. The land is a proposed fairway. > > http://www.notesfromtheroad.com/WestIndies/bakers_bay_intro4.htm > > I have received over 50 gracious replies to my > original query. It > may take me a few weeks to respond to everybody. > However, the > assistance I have received has been enormous. I > understand that > with bleaching, etc there are more pressing issues > in the coral > world. > > I want to make it clear that the proposed golf > course is very > 'green' and that this issue is one of 'best > practices' versus 'what > will actually happen to the reef.' The golf course > uses seagrass > paspalam, and the land will be terraformed so that > the runoff from > the fertilizer will go into a manmade wetlands (the > mangroves are > being cleared for a 250 slip marina). > > Several of you have written me that golf courses can > be built in a > very green way. I am familiar with such golf course > projects in > places like Hawaii, where the golf course and reef > are separated by > hundreds of yards and even hills. Guana Cay is very > different > because it is a tiny island only an 1/8th of a mile > wide and seven > miles long. The 250 boat marina will be dredged > from mangroves or > wetlands, and will be as close to the reef as the > Disney dredging > project, which was estimated to have killed off 1/3 > of the corals > on the Northeastern edge of the island. > > A large pdf of the golf course plan: > > http://www.discoverylandco.com/images/bakersbay/illustrative_plan.p > df > > and my map of the island: > > http://www.notesfromtheroad.com/WestIndies/guana_map.html > > Thanks for all your assistance in helping someone > from the outside. > > Erik > > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From coral_giac at yahoo.com Mon Sep 26 18:49:10 2005 From: coral_giac at yahoo.com (Hernandez Edwin) Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 15:49:10 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Coral-List] About bleached vs. non-bleached sites. Message-ID: <20050926224910.74700.qmail@web30415.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Dear listers. Hola! Regarding the interesting discussion about the value of non-bleached sites as potential candidate no-take MPA sites I want to add a few comments. First, bleaching vs. non-bleaching conditions in any given site is highly variable in time. For instance, we have documented variable bleaching responses in 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1998, 2001 and 2005 at several eastern PR coast locations that clearly indicate that each bleaching event has been largely variable in space and time. Therefore, we have to proceed with caution when suggesting that non-bleached sites in 2005 are "more important" sites for establishing no-take MPAs than bleached sites. Besides, as far as I'm concerned, no-take MPAs are 99% aimed at reestablishing overexploited fish communities, which is a social problem independent of bleaching events. Second, we also need to consider the benthic community assemblage structure of any given reef before making such a generalization. For instance, coral reefs dominated by highly resilient coral species should be more "resistant" to bleaching events than those where highly susceptible species are more abundant. The result of any given event on these two different scenarios, even within the same geographic area, may produce different effects. We are having reefs in eastern PR with approximately 50% bleaching, but do have others with >90% bleaching. Also, shallower reef zones have been more affected in eastern PR during the current bleaching event than deeper reefs. Does this means that MPAs should be established only in reefs, lets say, below 20 m in depth? I agree with Georgina and others in the fact that no-bleaching should also be documented. This is paramount to address spatial and temporal patterns. These sites should also be somehow protected. But we should not neglect the fact that many of those frequently bleached locations are also extremely important sources of coral, fish and invertebrate propagulae, spawning aggregation sites, nursery grounds, etc. We are also talking about the livelihood of maybe millions of people. Bleaching frequency is very important, but should not be an excluding factor for determining no-take MPA locations. Or are we giving up in our reef fisheries and coral reef conservation and restoration efforts? Edwin Edwin A. Hern?ndez-Delgado, Ph.D. Affiliate Researcher University of Puerto Rico Department of Biology Coral Reef Research Group P.O. Box 23360 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00931-3360 Tel (787) 764-0000, x-4855 Fax (787) 764-2610 e-mail: coral_giac at yahoo.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From Gabrielle.Dorr at noaa.gov Tue Sep 27 14:27:36 2005 From: Gabrielle.Dorr at noaa.gov (Gabrielle Dorr) Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 14:27:36 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] mailing list submission Message-ID: <43398F18.CC61915B@noaa.gov> Deep Sea Coral Database-Questionnaire Background: Deep Sea Corals (also known as cold-water corals) have received global recognition in the past few years. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has enhanced its efforts to study and manage these resources as part of this effort. NOAA will publish a status report on deep sea corals in the U.S., along with other Federal and academic partners, later this year. This report will summarize current knowledge on the location and ecological function of deep coral communities. There is also a need to manage the increasing amount of deep sea coral data and make it available to resource managers. The first step in this process is to understand the data needs of the scientific community and how to address them effectively. Purpose: The purpose of this questionnaire is to 1) determine your level of interest in a National Deep Sea Coral database, 2) determine the types of data and/or databases already available, 3) understand the types of data and information that would be useful to you for research or management purposes, 4) gain input on a particular format for the database that would be most user friendly, and 5) elicit comments and suggestions on how else NOAA can support Deep Sea Coral management needs. Input Request: We ask that you please fill out this brief questionnaire by copying and pasting the questions into a word document and then sending it back to Gabrielle Dorr via email (Gabrielle.Dorr at noaa.gov) or fax (301) 713-1594 by Wed, Oct. 19, 2005. A summary of the results of this questionnaire will be presented to the deep sea coral community at the 3rd International Symposium on Deep-Sea Corals in Miami. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Before beginning this questionnaire please visit the CoRIS (Coral Reef Information System) online database www.coris.noaa.gov. This database is maintained by NOAA?s Coral Reef Conservation Program and currently contains some deep sea coral data products. Please visit the URL above and follow the directions below: 1) Click on ?Discover NOAA?s Data? 2) There are three options available to search the database: a) Browse data descriptions, b) Text search, and c) Map search 3) Option-Browse data descriptions a) click on ?Browse,? then ?Browse data descriptions? b) to see an example of Oculina data, click on ?Discovery Key Words? c) then click on ?Numeric Data Sets-Biology? and scroll down to ?Central Experimental Oculina Research Reserve, Oculina Banks, Clelia Dive 612 Narrative 2001 4) Option-Text Search a) click on ?Text-Search,? then ?Text Search? again b) to see examples of Oculina data products, type ?Oculina? into ?Place? under the ?Keyword Search? section c) The search should generate 4 publications and 30 data products on the Oculina Banks 5) Option-Map Search a) click on ?Map Search,? then ?Map Search? again b) to see examples of Oculina Banks data, zoom into the southeast florida region c) click ?Visible? under ?Marine Management Areas? on the right side of screen d) use the ?information? tool to click on the symbol displayed and view the data available e) try this for other data selections on the right 6) You can also search for ?Deep-water reefs? in the ?Text Search? section by typing under ?Theme? in the ?Keyword Search.? Deep Coral Database Questionnaire 1) Do you think that a National Deep Sea Coral database will be useful to the management and scientific community? If you answer ?Not very useful? please explain why in the comment section. ___ Yes, very useful ___ Somewhat useful ___ Not very useful Please provide comments in the space below. 2) Do you currently manage or use a database that serves the same purpose as the CoRIS database but is limited to a particular region or data type (Please select one of the answers below)? ___ Yes, I have a database that is limited to a particular region (please explain in comment section below). ___ Yes, I have a database that is limited to a particular data type (please explain in comment section below). ___ Yes, I have a database that is both limited to a particular region and data type (please explain in comment section below). ___ No, I do not have a database at this time. Please provide comments in the space below. 3) What type(s) of information are or would be useful to you in a database (Please rank the following using 1-4 with 1 as the highest priority)? If you have other suggestions on types of data or information that would be useful to you please provide these in the comment section. ___ A database of deep sea coral contacts and publications ___ A database of technical reports and data types ___ A database containing an inventory of marine protected areas, trawl closings, other management activities ___ All of the above Please provide comments in the space below. 4) What format would be the most user-friendly for the database? For example, do you like the format of the CoRIS database? If you use other databases which ones are the easiest or most difficult to use? 5) Would you use a National Deep Sea Coral database and if so in what capacity? ___ Yes, I would use the database as a manager ___ Yes, I would use the database as a researcher ___ Yes, I would use the database as a manager and researcher ___ No, I do not have any reason to use such a database Please provide comments in the space below. 6) Do you have any other comments or suggestions on the national database project? 7) May we contact you by email to follow up on any of the information you provided above? Yes__ No__ Thank you for your help in responding to this survey. Please send the completed survey to Gabrielle Dorr at the email address below by Wed., Oct. 19, 2005. If you have any further questions please contact: Gabrielle Dorr Knauss Sea Grant Fellow NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Gabrielle.Dorr at noaa.gov From Michael.Loomis at noaa.gov Tue Sep 27 09:05:15 2005 From: Michael.Loomis at noaa.gov (Michael Loomis) Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 09:05:15 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Positions available (2) Message-ID: <4339438B.5FC78419@noaa.gov> I.M. Systems Group (www.imsg.com), a leading contract company, is seeking to fill two positions to provide support to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Response and Restoration (ORR). Both positions are located at NOAA Headquarters located in Silver Spring, MD. Both positions are available immediately, and will be filled as soon as qualified candidates are identified. Candidates who meet the education and experience guidelines are encouraged to apply by emailing a cover letter, resume, and 3 references as ONE document (MS Word format strongly preferred) to: Michael.loomis at noaa.gov and jobs at imsg.com. Please send your application to both email addresses. Candidates who are selected for consideration will be contacted immediately for an interview. Candidates who are not selected will not be contacted. The deadline for resumes for these positions is October 3, 2005. Position descriptions, desired education and experience requirements, and salary range are provided below: Position 1: Strategic Planning Specialist The Strategic Planning Specialist will be responsible for multiple high-level tasks within ORR. A few representative examples are: Strategic Planning- -Facilitate the development of an ORR strategic plan. Represent ORR in strategic planning activities in NOS and NOAA. -Facilitate the development of a framework for implementing an OR&R Annual Operating Plan. This plan will be used to assess the annual budget allocation process within ORR and ensure that resources are better aligned with ORR strategic priorities. -Facilitate an internal performance management process. Work with ORR staff and the NOAA Programs to develop performance measures that The performance measures in NOS/NOAA performance management processes Program Development- Science Council -Track activities of Science Council and engage ORR where appropriate Ocean Action Plan -Track Ocean Action Plan initiatives. Develop a plan that outlines ORR?s resource needs, and the short and long-term steps to meet these needs. Great Lakes Initiative -Support the development and implementation of the Great Lakes initiative Integrated Ocean Observations System (IOOS) -Track IOOS activities within NOAA, look for opportunities to further ORR?s mission, and engage ORR staff and programs where appropriate ORR Website -Oversee the ORR website, managing/edit the contents, and ensure the website is up-to-date with ORR current activities Desired Education Level: The ideal candidate will have a Master?s Degree in Science or Policy, or a Law Degree. Desired Experience Level: The ideal candidate will have 2+ years experience working on program planning, business development, and a demonstrated ability to evaluate the ?big picture? and find new and innovative ways to increase their program?s/office?s presence within an organization. Salary: 46,000-50,000/yr. Position 2: Policy and Planning Analyst Position Details- Within the OR&R HQ, this position serves as a general policy specialist, supporting the policy and program needs of OR&R, coordinating, facilitating, and tracking activities, legislation, and policy. The policy coordinator serves as the OR&R point-of-contact and knowledge expert for specific policy issues and actions, and supports the OR&R Deputy Director and Chief of Staff. In addition, as needs arise and policy and requirements evolve, the policy coordinator will be responsible for implementing both short and long term special projects. The policy coordinator utilizes independent judgment and analytical skills to interpret and review policy, legislation, information requests; identify impacts of proposed policy and legislative changes; implement and track activities; prioritize needs; resolve or recommend solutions for critical problems; and develop new approaches for OR&R. In addition, the position may include strategic planning and document review. Specific areas of responsibility might include OR&R involvement in the Ocean Action Plan and Great Lakes activities, as well as assistance with OR&R?s participation in the program planning and budget process. This position requires extensive contacts with OR&R technical and administrative staff, NOAA and NOS policy, outreach, public affairs, and budget staff, NOAA offices and programs, and other Federal, state, and local agencies, and other stakeholders. Desired Education Level: The ideal candidate will have a Master?s Degree in a marine science (preferred) or environmental science. Desired Experience Level: The ideal candidate should have a 2+ years experience developing and evaluating environmental policy. Experience dealing with governmental or regulatory agencies is desirable. This position is a fast-paced, operational level position and will require an individual capable of processing large amounts of information and summarizing it for executive level distribution. A demonstrated ability to handle/prioritize multiple tasks is highly desired. Salary: 46,500/yr. From ibmkenny at yahoo.com Wed Sep 28 00:18:45 2005 From: ibmkenny at yahoo.com (Ivana Kenny) Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 21:18:45 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Coral-List] Re: Coral Bleaching Trend: North and South Coast Jamaica Message-ID: <20050928041845.15696.qmail@web51003.mail.yahoo.com> Montego Bay, Doctor?s Cave beach and westward. (north coast) Sept 23, 2005 Andrew Ross, UWI MPhil candidate. Sampled by snorkeling observation was the area of Dr?s Cave Beach westward to the spur and groove formations and drop to 10M depth, an area of approximately 200m (west) x50m (north) including shallow lagoon/patch reef, reef crest and spur and groove reef. The area has been sampled using REEFCHECK to contain between 16% and 21% live coral. Bleaching observed within shallow lagoon areas (<3M depth) behind reef and areas likely influenced by warm lagoon waters. This bleaching event is not as yet particularly intensive. It will be observed for change in the coming weeks. Water temperature was measured by ?Citizen? wrist-mounted digital thermometer to be 31 degrees Celsius. Level and prominence of bleaching observed as follows: Millepora spp. (mainly complanata): Bleaching occurring in less then 50% of colonies. Bleaching intensity strong in less then 25% of cases. Montastrea annularis: Bleaching occurring in less then 20% of colonies. No colonies larger then 30cm diameter affected. Bleaching rarely (<10 of cases) more intense then simple fading of colour from uppermost area. Acropora cervicornis: Bleaching occurring on 70% of colonies observed; patchy, and mainly on upper surfaces of branch. Larger colonies (30CM diameter) more likely to be affected then small colonies and single branches. Bleaching accompanied by white band disease in four colonies. (A. cervicornis is relatively rare. <20 colonies observed total) Agaricia agaricites: Bleaching observed on colony ridges, patchy. Less then 20 individuals observed displaying notable bleaching in this locally common species. Porites porites: Bleaching observed as fading of colour on upper faces of branches and growth tips in four colonies, all of the brown morph. This species and morph is common. Palythoa caribaeorum: one colony observed to be partially bleached, colours faded on its upper surface. This species is uncommon in this area. (< 10 colonies observed) Further areas of the Montego Bay area are to be observed in the coming days. Kingston, Lime Cay (The South Coast) Sept. 21-24, 2005 Ivana Kenny, UWI Mphil Candidate. The current bleaching trend noted on Caribbean reefs, was also observed in Jamaica. Sampled by scuba diving; bleaching, ranging from partial to full and patchy to total, was observed between 10 ? 30 ft depth, along the fore reef of Lime Cay, in the following species: Acropora cervicornis (~40% patchy) Colpophyllia natans Diplora labrynthiformis Diplora strigosa Meandrina meandricites Millepora alcicornis and M. complanata (~80% bleached, >20% full) Montastrea annularis( ~20% mainly partial) Porites astreoides Siderastrea radians Siderastrea siderea (~30% greatest diversity of intensity) Agaricia agaricites In addition to this, diseases also appeared to be more popular. Interesting to note, spawning of M. annularis, including bleached colonies, was observed on Saturday the 24 at about 9:50pm; however, no A. cervicornis spawning was observed at the sites sampled neither on Friday nor Saturday. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From amy at coralcay.org Wed Sep 28 10:34:30 2005 From: amy at coralcay.org (Amy Ridgeway) Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2005 15:34:30 +0100 Subject: [Coral-List] Reef Regeneration Message-ID: <001101c5c439$bd200760$2f46a8c0@coralcay.org> I am currently looking into the different methods currently being employed to manipulate coral recruitment via the enhancement of coral settlement or the enhancement of herbivorous fish stocks and attempts being made to reverse phase shift around the world. I have already been made aware of several systems of artificial reef (ReefBall, EcoReefs, Biorock) and also a couple of other projects around the world looking to address the issue of regeneration in different ways e.g. through increases in larval seeding or environmental clean-ups. I would be most grateful if anyone were able to assist me in my research by either informing me of other specific case studies or systems that they were aware of, or even better actively involved with. Many thanks Amy Ridgeway Science Intern Coral Cay Conservation Ltd From marinepark at stinapa.org Wed Sep 28 08:43:06 2005 From: marinepark at stinapa.org (Bonaire National Marine Park) Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2005 08:43:06 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] 3rd announcement Message-ID: <004701c5c42a$2d540a00$6501a8c0@ramon> ***************************** Ramon de Leon. Manager - Bonaire National Marine Park. P.O. Box 368 Bonaire - Netherlands Antilles. Phone: (599) 717 8444. Fax: (599) 717 7318. E-mail: marinepark at stinapa.org Homepage: www.bmp.org ***************************** ----- Original Message ----- From: Bonaire National Marine Park To: Bruce Bowker ; Delno Tromp ; Herbert Piar ; jack at habitatdiveresorts.com ; diana at bonhata.org ; jeanette ; drob ; Wannadive ; Toucan Diving ; Phototours ; Info at bonbinidivers.com ; Great Adventures Bonaire ; Dive Inn ; Buddy Dive Resorts ; Blue Divers Bonaire ; Balck Durgon ; Serge ; Larry ; Rec/TeK Scuba ; Bonaire Dive and Adventures ; YellowSubmarine ; Max Habitat ; NANCIweb at yahoogroups.com ; campam at yahoogroups.com ; NAParkMan at yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 8:33 AM THIRD AND LAST ANNOUNCEMENT The Bonaire National Marine Park announces the convening of the Training of Trainers course in MPA management, to be given on Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles, from November 20th to November 26th, 2005. This course is the required follow up of a course given by UNEP and ICRAN in St. Lucia during the year 2002 and it is intended for MPA managers, assistant managers, chief rangers, government officers and personnel from NGOs or private institutions involved in MPA management or use. Topics to cover during the course are: MPA Definitions & Concepts, MPA Legal & Political Framework, Biophysical and Socioeconomic Characterization of the Coastal Zone, Communications, Monitoring, Public Relations and Education. Field trips to local MPA requiring SCUBA certification will take place. Interested individuals can request an application form or more information via e-mail from the BNMP at marinepark at stinapa.org or info at stinapa.org before September, 30th 2005. ***************************** Ramon de Leon. Manager - Bonaire National Marine Park. P.O. Box 368 Bonaire - Netherlands Antilles. Phone: (599) 717 8444. Fax: (599) 717 7318. E-mail: marinepark at stinapa.org Homepage: www.bmp.org ***************************** From Murray.Roberts at sams.ac.uk Wed Sep 28 10:13:10 2005 From: Murray.Roberts at sams.ac.uk (Murray Roberts) Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2005 15:13:10 +0100 Subject: [Coral-List] Cold-water coral website launched Message-ID: Dear colleagues We have developed a website on cold-water corals and their conservation. www.lophelia.org Please visit the site, there are games for children (of all ages...), screensavers you can download to your PC and lots of background information on the 'cold-water corals' of the deep ocean. We're keen to improve the site so please send any comments you may have, either using the form on the website or by sending a message to Andrew Davies (andrew.davies at sams.ac.uk). We want to link to other relevant webpages, again you can do this on-line from the ''Link to Us'' page or send us a message. best wishes Murray J Murray Roberts Scottish Association for Marine Science Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory Oban, Argyll, PA37 1QA, UK Email: murray.roberts at sams.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)1631-559241 Fax: +44 (0)1631-559001 Mobile: +44 (0)7810 772021 Website: www.sams.ac.uk From ctwiliams at yahoo.com Wed Sep 28 16:42:14 2005 From: ctwiliams at yahoo.com (Tom Williams) Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2005 13:42:14 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Coral-List] Reef Regeneration In-Reply-To: <001101c5c439$bd200760$2f46a8c0@coralcay.org> Message-ID: <20050928204215.48767.qmail@web50414.mail.yahoo.com> Check for efforts in the UAE with regard to Nakheel and their "regenerative experiements", remember to protect what you have rather than rebuilding the mess. Decide on whether you want fish and motiles rather than corals and attached In general in Dubai, if you can harden the bottom and keep away from sediments, discharges, and keep below 10m you have a good chance for corals. Water visibility to more than -10mACD. Watch out for the upcurrents sources of silts and nutrients. Tom Williams --- Amy Ridgeway wrote: I am currently looking into the different methods currently being employed to manipulate coral recruitment via the enhancement of coral settlement or the enhancement of herbivorous fish stocks and attempts being made to reverse phase shift around the world. I have already been made aware of several systems of artificial reef (ReefBall, EcoReefs, Biorock) and also a couple of other projects around the world looking to address the issue of regeneration in different ways e.g. through increases in larval seeding or environmental clean-ups. I would be most grateful if anyone were able to assist me in my research by either informing me of other specific case studies or systems that they were aware of, or even better actively involved with. > > Many thanks > > Amy Ridgeway > Science Intern > > Coral Cay Conservation Ltd > > _______________________________________________ > Coral-List mailing list > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list > From ctwiliams at yahoo.com Wed Sep 28 16:53:57 2005 From: ctwiliams at yahoo.com (Tom Williams) Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2005 13:53:57 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Coral-List] Coral List Submission In-Reply-To: <20050927010427.8973.qmail@web50602.mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <20050928205357.87505.qmail@web50404.mail.yahoo.com> UAE has undergone several similar situations and the main issues deal with the effects on longshore circulation and stagnation of intertidal and shallow water. One problem seen in Hawaii and Majuro is that the coral reef beds under the course may allow for piping of "excess leachate" from the soil zones into the groundwater - which is freshwater and will float to the nearest shoreline. Include major applications of humates, and other soil amendments to reduce water leaching, holding nutrients in the root zones, etc. One issue not mention is -- golf courses are to support and attract tourism elsewise no one can afford $25,000 per green etc. The GC is growth inducement for all of the support staff, housing, etc. plus the users, their hotels, their water supply/wastewater treatment, etc. Watch out for additional brine discharges, treated sewage effluent, septic tank infiltration, etc. Best of Luck -you will need it. Tom Williams --- andrew ross wrote: > Eric and the Coral-List, > > Eric: thanks for being so transparent with the golf > course plan. > > On the Jamaican North Coast we've got several large > golf complexes to the East of Montego Bay. > These courses have had great impacts on the > watershed including modifications to drainage and > erosion and high coastal turbidity during the > construction phase, particularly with several large > downpours beyond what was expected in the > engineering and permitting. Of course these have > done nasty things to the local coral, seagrass and > the fishery and water based tourism products. > > In the longer term, Eric, you will need to look at > how his grass is draining... not over the grass, but > through it and into the ground. In Montego Bay are > seeing enormous blooms of the green algae > Chaetomorpha, beginning a few weeks after the > beginning of the summer rains in the vicinity of > these golf courses, likely responding to fertilizers > coming in from underground drainages. Eric, if > you've not got a complete, impermeable barrier > underneath your grass collecting your fertilized > irrigation water, it will go into the underlying > sand/gravel/water table and onto your reef and > corals... some 45 feet away. > I'll reckon that other respondents have mentioned > the potential impacts to your golf product in terms > of coastal erosion and reduced general aesthetics > with any reduction to these corals, so I'll not go > into those. > > Thanks again, and i hope we are being helpful, > > > Andrew Ross > > > Vanese Flood <> wrote: > Hi Erik, > I'm surprised at the comment "with bleaching, etc > there are more pressing issues in the coral world". > At this point, all corals that are in healthy > condition should be kept that way precisely because > of > coral bleaching on other reefs. > Additionally, mangroves are "wetlands". They are > important buffers to both land from hurricane damage > and to reefs from land run-off. The affects of last > year's Tsunami were greatly worsened in areas where > mangroves had been cut back for commercial fish > farming. The golf course construction must be > costing > millions. Surely they should protect their > investment > by letting nature provide an important buffer from > storm erosion. Mangroves will provide this. As for a > "wet land" buffer for runoff from > the fertilizer -- does anyone on the list know if > mangroves can serve in this way?? > In addition to this, mangroves are important fish > hatcheries/nurseries. Get the fishermen and dive > operators involved in this project. I'll stick my > neck out here and say that THERE is a direct effect > on > fish populations when mangroves have been depleted. > The more involvement from various other businesses > in > the area, the stronger your argument to get the > developers to work with you. > Good luck, and keep us posted on the development. > Vanese Flood > > --- Erik Gauger wrote: > > > At the beginning of this week, Kalai posted a > public > > reply to my > > email about Guana Cay. He asked, "how close is the > > reef to the > > golf course?" > > > > The answer is that the reef is 45 feet from the > > shore. There is a > > photo here. The land is a proposed fairway. > > > > > http://www.notesfromtheroad.com/WestIndies/bakers_bay_intro4.htm > > > > I have received over 50 gracious replies to my > > original query. It > > may take me a few weeks to respond to everybody. > > However, the > > assistance I have received has been enormous. I > > understand that > > with bleaching, etc there are more pressing issues > > in the coral > > world. > > > > I want to make it clear that the proposed golf > > course is very > > 'green' and that this issue is one of 'best > > practices' versus 'what > > will actually happen to the reef.' The golf course > > uses seagrass > > paspalam, and the land will be terraformed so that > > the runoff from > > the fertilizer will go into a manmade wetlands > (the > > mangroves are > > being cleared for a 250 slip marina). > > > > Several of you have written me that golf courses > can > > be built in a > > very green way. I am familiar with such golf > course > > projects in > > places like Hawaii, where the golf course and reef > > are separated by > > hundreds of yards and even hills. Guana Cay is > very > > different > > because it is a tiny island only an 1/8th of a > mile > > wide and seven > > miles long. The 250 boat marina will be dredged > > from mangroves or > > wetlands, and will be as close to the reef as the > > Disney dredging > > project, which was estimated to have killed off > 1/3 > > of the corals > > on the Northeastern edge of the island. > > > > A large pdf of the golf course plan: > > > > > http://www.discoverylandco.com/images/bakersbay/illustrative_plan.p > > df > > > > and my map of the island: > > > > > http://www.notesfromtheroad.com/WestIndies/guana_map.html > > > > Thanks for all your assistance in helping someone > > from the outside. > > > > Erik > > > > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam > protection around > http://mail.yahoo.com > _______________________________________________ > Coral-List mailing list > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list > From reefball at reefball.com Wed Sep 28 16:46:33 2005 From: reefball at reefball.com (reefball at reefball.com) Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2005 16:46:33 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Coral Rehabilitation Message-ID: <20050928164633.6jzweam3p14wccgc@webmail.reefball.com> Hi Amy, The Reef Ball Coral Team continually develops new methods. You may wish to make contact with and join that team as they are a group of hundreds of worldwide experts that come together for specific projects around the world. Currently, the team is in the Cayman Islands doing post hurricane reef rehabilitation training to the Cayman Department of Environment. 18 Coral Team Experts came from countries all over the world for the training and during the last 5 days the team has propagated and planted over 500 new coral colonies. We also built and deployed new habitats to catch this year's coral spawn for natural recruitment. The team is also teaching the government new techniques in red mangrove restoration so repair a bottleneck in the near shore habitat limitations. As a non-profit public charity, we assemble project teams to help effectively disseminate various approaches for specific rehabilitatino goals. The team is activating again in Thailand Oct 10-17th to continue our Tsunami coral rehabilition project and another activation is expected for Indonesia. contact john at reefball.com if you have time and would like to join the team on a project to learn the latest techniques and to share new methods with the team. The level and speed of the advancement of practical restoration methods has been occuring rather rapidly as the Coral Team continues to grow worldwide. It is a "mistake" to believe you know the "reef ball" method as the whole concept of the team is to constantly use and test the latests scientific methods bring those that can be practically implemented to the field. -Todd Barber Chairman Reef Ball Foundation From tennille_irvine at hotmail.com Wed Sep 28 23:22:49 2005 From: tennille_irvine at hotmail.com (Tennille Irvine) Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2005 11:22:49 +0800 Subject: [Coral-List] short term coral growth Message-ID: I'm currently studying a PhD at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia and as part of a larger project, am interested in looking at short term coral growth (of 3 month periods) to investigate how growth rates change throughout the year in relation to reproductive cycles. The species I am using are Echinopora ashmorensis, Cyphastrea microphthalma, Acropora formosa and Montipora (species yet to be chosen) and I want to assess colonies in the field rather than transporting to a lab. I believe there is a risk with alizarin staining of it forming a blurred zone rather than distict bands and using every 3 months may results in one continuous blur rather than several bands. Any input or suggestion of methodology would be greatly appreciated. Tennille Irvine PhD Researcher Murdoch University Western Australia +61 8 9360 6685 (office) +61 411 556 362 (mobile) [1]tennille_irvine at hotmail.com [2]t.irvine at murdoch.edu.au References 1. mailto:tennille_irvine at hotmail.com 2. mailto:t.irvine at murdoch.edu.au From Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov Thu Sep 29 19:37:54 2005 From: Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov (Alan E. Strong) Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2005 19:37:54 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Present Bleaching Event - PR & USVI etc. In-Reply-To: <20050923152836.67610.qmail@web53912.mail.yahoo.com> References: <20050923152836.67610.qmail@web53912.mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <433C7AD2.9060200@noaa.gov> Hi Kristen -- Now that would be an interesting survey....we have often observed that once an overall bleaching tendency has established itself over a certain region as hurricanes move though that region SSTs are brought down by mixing and upwelling. Obviously, this extra "fuel" available for the tropical storm has the ability to enhance these tropical storms...so much more is necessary from the atmosphere to first permit a tropical depression to first develop...therein lies the key.... Right now we are witnessing a large pool of anomalously high SSTs centered around the Virgin Islands...but no hurricanes have actually formed or been enhance, to my knowledge, over that area yet this year... Cheers, Al Kristen Hoss wrote: > Hello, > > I was wondering if anyone has ever studied the correlation of coral > bleaching episodes as possible indicators of what hurricane activity > may be like during the year? I was wondering if there was a > connection that could be used as a prediction tool, or if the > correlation would just be related to the already known water > temperatures and weather patterns, etc.... > > -Kristen Hoss > Marine Researcher > and Wildlife Biologist-USDA/APHIS/WS > > */"scott.stripling" /* wrote: > > With the NE Caribbean currently located underneath an elongated > area of > low pressure, > light and variable winds will continue to dominate the region for the > next 1 to 2 weeks. > Computer models are forecasting only brief (6-12 hour periods) of > anything > approaching normal trade wind flow during this time. Thus the > stagnant > mixing conditions will > persist regionally through the first week of October, at the least. > > Scott Stripling > NOAA/NWS San Juan > > Alan E Strong wrote: > > > *NOTICE - Bleaching continues to evolve throughout Eastern > Caribbean* > > > > Beginning in the central Keys during August (Sombrero Key > especially) > > the warm water episode and accompanying bleaching for this year is > > progressing south and eastward through Cuba, Puerto Rico and the > > Virgin Islands. This can visually be seen in our recen t 12-week > > composite of HotSpot accumulations - Degree Heating Weeks (DHWs): > > > > http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/data2/dhwa.9.19.2005.gif > > > > and HotSpots: > > > > http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/data/hotspotwnc.gif > > > > Extremely high DHWs above "8" in much of the Virgin Islands are > quite > > worrisome as these levels in past bleaching events typically bring > > some mortality to corals. This evolving episode continues to be at > > near unprecedented levels of thermal stress for this region > since our > > satellite records began in the mid-80s. From the chart one can > observe > > that eastern Puerto Rico is under higher levels of thermal > stress at > > present than western PR....hence the recent reports of considerable > > bleaching. Until some reduced solar radiation and/or wind & mixing > > comes to the "rescue" we worry about prospects along much of the > > Windward Islands toward South America over the next month or so. > > > > Sorry our repot couldn't be more positive. > > > > Regards, > > > > Al Strong > > NOAA's Coral Reef Watch > > http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/index.html > > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > >_______________________________________________ > >Coral-List mailing list > >Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > >http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Coral-List mailing list > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Yahoo! for Good > Click here to donate to the > Hurricane Katrina relief effort. -- **** <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* Alan E. Strong Branch Chief, Marine Ecosystem and Climate Branch (MECB) Coral Reef Watch Project Coordinator Phys Scientist/Oceanographer NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/SOCD -- E/RA3 {formerly NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/ORAD} NOAA Science Center -- RM 601 5200 Auth Road Camp Springs, MD 20746-4304 Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov 301-763-8102 x170 [Tues-Thurs] 301-713-2857 x108 [Mon & Fri] (SSMC1 - RM 5304; Silver Spring, MD) FAX: 301-763-8572 http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/ From jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu Thu Sep 29 15:58:20 2005 From: jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu (John McManus) Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2005 15:58:20 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Reef Regeneration In-Reply-To: <001101c5c439$bd200760$2f46a8c0@coralcay.org> Message-ID: <032201c5c530$245a31c0$6300a8c0@HP> Hi Amy, One important consideration is scale. The average true coral reef is on the order of 1 sq km, or 1 million sq m. A million dollars can support developing and implementing an effective, participatory management plan for many such natural reefs, potentially leading to vastly improved coral settlement (via reduction of algae, etc.). Applying that same amount of money to support replanting corals or building artificial reefs, I would be surprised if you could cover an area reasonably well equal to 1/10th of an average natural reef. And, you will still need the effective management plan to ensure proper protection of what has been done from algal overgrowth and other abuse. I would deal with planting corals only after an effective management plan has been in place for a few years, and it becomes clear that no corals are settling on their own accord. Cheers! John ____________________________________ *** Please note new phone numbers (361 now 421) *** John W. McManus, PhD. Professor, Marine Biology and Fisheries Director, National Center for Caribbean Coral Reef Research (NCORE) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL, 33149 305-421-4814, 305-421-4820, Fax: 305-421-4910 www.ncoremiami.org jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu "If I cannot build it, I do not understand it." -- Richard P. Feynman, Nobel Laureate -----Original Message----- From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov [mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov] On Behalf Of Amy Ridgeway Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 10:35 AM To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov Subject: [Coral-List] Reef Regeneration I am currently looking into the different methods currently being employed to manipulate coral recruitment via the enhancement of coral settlement or the enhancement of herbivorous fish stocks and attempts being made to reverse phase shift around the world. I have already been made aware of several systems of artificial reef (ReefBall, EcoReefs, Biorock) and also a couple of other projects around the world looking to address the issue of regeneration in different ways e.g. through increases in larval seeding or environmental clean-ups. I would be most grateful if anyone were able to assist me in my research by either informing me of other specific case studies or systems that they were aware of, or even better actively involved with. Many thanks Amy Ridgeway Science Intern Coral Cay Conservation Ltd _______________________________________________ Coral-List mailing list Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list From E.Husain at exeter.ac.uk Thu Sep 29 21:22:13 2005 From: E.Husain at exeter.ac.uk (eh218) Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2005 02:22:13 +0100 Subject: [Coral-List] Bleaching at Glovers Reef, Belize. Message-ID: <433E8B47@minerva2.ex.ac.uk> Hi everyone, Some degree of Bleaching is occurring here at Glovers Reef Atoll, Belize. This has not been quantified, but I thought I should outline what has been observed, for those that are interested. Millepora & Porites porites upper surface bleaching has been ongoing for about two months. Around the end of August ? start of September deep water plating Agaricia species bleached bright white along the east wall of the atoll, although shaded colonies under overhangs, etc remain brown & not visibly affected. At the same time occasional bleached plating Agaricia colonies were also visible on the fore-reef. Also at the beginning of September, a few Montastraea annularis colonies showed signs of paling - this situation has worsened, and now more M. annularis colonies are showing signs of paling, at least at two locations on the Eastern side of the Atoll (Middle Caye and Long Caye). However, of these two areas Middle Caye is much more affected, with maybe as much as 80% (V. approximate guesstimate) of colonies showing visible paling, whereas at Long Caye this figure might be around 20 %. However, at both sites no bright white M. annularis colonies have been seen. Apart from the Agaricia, where a zone of bleached coral can be seen between 20 ? 40m depth, the rest of these observations are from the fore-reef, in depths of around 8 - 15 m, i.e. to the edge of the drop-off. Unfortunately I do not have local water temperature information for the last month. Ellen Husain. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ellen Husain Marine Spatial Ecology Laboratory Hatherly Laboratories Prince of Wales Road University of Exeter Exeter EX4 4PS. UK. Tel. 01392 263 784 web site: www.exeter.ac.uk/msel March 28th to Dec 17th, 2005: I will be abroad on fieldwork in Belize for most of 2005. Want to see where I am? Go to: http://wcsgloversreef.org/gloversbackground FIELD ADDRESS: Ellen Husain C/O Glovers Reef Marine Research Station WCS Glovers Reef P.O. Box 272 Dangriga, Belize Phone +608-6181 From areichel at scu.edu.au Fri Sep 30 00:37:08 2005 From: areichel at scu.edu.au (Amanda Reichelt-Brushett) Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2005 14:37:08 +1000 Subject: [Coral-List] Recent articles trace metals and corals Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.0.20050930143229.02ecac68@popstaff.scu.edu.au> Dear Coral listers, For those people interested some recent published articles on trace metals and their impacts on early life stage of corals are as follow: Reichelt-Brushett, A. J. and Harrison, P. L. (currently available on line) The effect of selected trace metals on the fertilization success of several scleractinian corals species. Coral Reefs. Reichelt-Brushett, A. J. and Michalek-Wagner, K. (2005) Effects of copper on the fertilization success of the soft coral Lobophytum compactum. Aquatic Toxicology. 74 (3) 280-284. Reichelt-Brushett, A. J. and Harrison, P. L. (2004) Development of a sub-lethal test to determine the effects of copper and lead on scleractinian coral larvae. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 47 (1) 40-55. Kind Regards Amanda Dr. Amanda Reichelt-Brushett Lecturer: Chemistry and Aquaculture Management Honours Co-ordinator School of Environmental Science and Management Southern Cross University PO Box 157 Lismore NSW 2480 Australia Ph: +61 266203250 Fax: +61 266212669 From Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov Fri Sep 30 21:46:48 2005 From: Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov (Alan E. Strong) Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2005 21:46:48 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Present Bleaching Event - PR & USVI etc. In-Reply-To: <433DACE4.3000404@noaa.gov> References: <20050923152836.67610.qmail@web53912.mail.yahoo.com> <433C7AD2.9060200@noaa.gov> <433DACE4.3000404@noaa.gov> Message-ID: <433DEA88.4070205@noaa.gov> Hi Scott, Thanks for that relevant overview of hurricane development/growth....keep your eyes open for next week's EOS. One of our Branches here at NESDIS/ORA has a paper on the explosive development of Katrina [also Rita!] as they moved through the Gulf..over the DEEP warm waters (fuel supply) of the Loop Current.... Cheers, Al PS....I have CCed two Christopher's on this for their possible comments: one with NHC and the other my son at the DC Forecast Office in Sterling, VA scott.stripling wrote: > Kristen, Alan- > > To answer Kristen's question, atmospheric conditions, as well as > oceanic conditions, must be favorable > for tropical cyclones to form. So a very warm ocean will not > necessarily lead to tropical cyclone > development all by itself. Due to the oceanography of the local > region, every year the upper layer > waters are warm enough to support the development of tropical cyclones > here in the NE Caribbean. > The anomalously warm SST's that aid in setting up the biological > conditions for bleaching can be assumed > to be connected to weaker than normal trades across or very near the > region in question, and/or > other significant low level atmospheric changes that result in > significant changes in oceanic currents. > Both of these conditions now appear at play in our region. Surface > pressure across the W Atlantic and into > the northern Caribbean have generaly been below normal since the > beginning of the year. This has helped > to produce a displaced, or much weakened "Bermuda High", with the > dominant high pressure cell > in the Atlantic meandering closer to the Azores in the central and NE > Atlantic. This has caused a reduced > trade wind flow across the tropical Atlantic, leading to less mixing, > and slower regional currents. Too, > another factor at play is the larger scale horizontal circulation of > the Atlantic. During the past 2 years, there > have been extended periods (on the order of several weeks) with > greatly reduced transport or flow in the > Gulf Stream off of Florida. This has to contribute to a slower than > normal Atlantic Basin circulation and > other such anomalies in the circulation patterns. > > It has been my contention that NOAA will never be able to accurately > model the coupled global > ocean-atmosphere system unless there is a more comprehensive in situ > oceanic observing network > established, with highest importance placed in regions of the major > currents. In the case of the Atlantic, > the Gulf stream is the major heat input to the hemisphere, and all the > water flowing through the Gulf stream > originates in the Caribbean. So to accurately model the entire > Atlantic circulation, one would assume > that in situ measurements would be needed of both the input and the > output of the Gulf stream. That > would mean monitoring the flow through the major passages into the > Caribbean, as well as key segments > along the Gulf stream flow. So...while I am on my soap box, may I ask > of you on the coral list, and > in NOAA to help point out this important issue to NOAA policy makers. > One of NOAA's big > strategic goals for the next decade is monitoring and modeling of > climate change. I argue that if > we don't have the proper input into the models, how can we accurately > model this complex system? > > Scott Stripling > NOAA-NWS San Juan > > Alan E. Strong wrote: > >> Hi Kristen -- Now that would be an interesting survey....we have >> often observed that once an overall bleaching tendency has >> established itself over a certain region as hurricanes move though >> that region SSTs are brought down by mixing and upwelling. >> Obviously, this extra "fuel" available for the tropical storm has the >> ability to enhance these tropical storms...so much more is necessary >> from the atmosphere to first permit a tropical depression to first >> develop...therein lies the key.... >> Right now we are witnessing a large pool of anomalously high SSTs >> centered around the Virgin Islands...but no hurricanes have actually >> formed or been enhance, to my knowledge, over that area yet this year... >> >> Cheers, >> Al >> >> Kristen Hoss wrote: >> >>> Hello, >>> >>> I was wondering if anyone has ever studied the correlation of coral >>> bleaching episodes as possible indicators of what hurricane activity >>> may be like during the year? I was wondering if there was a >>> connection that could be used as a prediction tool, or if the >>> correlation would just be related to the already known water >>> temperatures and weather patterns, etc.... >>> >>> -Kristen Hoss >>> Marine Researcher >>> and Wildlife Biologist-USDA/APHIS/WS >>> >>> */"scott.stripling" /* wrote: >>> >>> With the NE Caribbean currently located underneath an elongated >>> area of >>> low pressure, >>> light and variable winds will continue to dominate the region >>> for the >>> next 1 to 2 weeks. >>> Computer models are forecasting only brief (6-12 hour periods) of >>> anything >>> approaching normal trade wind flow during this time. Thus the >>> stagnant >>> mixing conditions will >>> persist regionally through the first week of October, at the least. >>> >>> Scott Stripling >>> NOAA/NWS San Juan >>> >>> Alan E Strong wrote: >>> >>> > *NOTICE - Bleaching continues to evolve throughout Eastern >>> Caribbean* >>> > >>> > Beginning in the central Keys during August (Sombrero Key >>> especially) >>> > the warm water episode and accompanying bleaching for this >>> year is >>> > progressing south and eastward through Cuba, Puerto Rico and the >>> > Virgin Islands. This can visually be seen in our recen t 12-week >>> > composite of HotSpot accumulations - Degree Heating Weeks (DHWs): >>> > >>> > http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/data2/dhwa.9.19.2005.gif >>> > >>> > and HotSpots: >>> > >>> > http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/data/hotspotwnc.gif >>> > >>> > Extremely high DHWs above "8" in much of the Virgin Islands are >>> quite >>> > worrisome as these levels in past bleaching events typically >>> bring >>> > some mortality to corals. This evolving episode continues to >>> be at >>> > near unprecedented levels of thermal stress for this region >>> since our >>> > satellite records began in the mid-80s. From the chart one can >>> observe >>> > that eastern Puerto Rico is under higher levels of thermal >>> stress at >>> > present than western PR....hence the recent reports of >>> considerable >>> > bleaching. Until some reduced solar radiation and/or wind & >>> mixing >>> > comes to the "rescue" we worry about prospects along much of the >>> > Windward Islands toward South America over the next month or so. >>> > >>> > Sorry our repot couldn't be more positive. >>> > >>> > Regards, >>> > >>> > Al Strong >>> > NOAA's Coral Reef Watch >>> > http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/index.html >>> > >>> >>> >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >>> >>> > >>> >_______________________________________________ >>> >Coral-List mailing list >>> >Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >>> >http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list >>> > >>> > >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Coral-List mailing list >>> Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >>> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list >>> >>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >>> >>> Yahoo! for Good >>> Click here to donate to >>> the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. >> >> >> >> -- **** <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* Alan E. Strong Branch Chief, Marine Ecosystem and Climate Branch (MECB) Coral Reef Watch Project Coordinator Phys Scientist/Oceanographer NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/SOCD -- E/RA3 {formerly NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/ORAD} NOAA Science Center -- RM 601 5200 Auth Road Camp Springs, MD 20746-4304 Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov 301-763-8102 x170 [Tues-Thurs] 301-713-2857 x108 [Mon & Fri] (SSMC1 - RM 5304; Silver Spring, MD) FAX: 301-763-8572 http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/ From Bprecht at pbsj.com Fri Sep 30 15:31:33 2005 From: Bprecht at pbsj.com (Precht, Bill) Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2005 15:31:33 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] FW: Up-to-date Strategies and Information on the CoralReef Rehab ilitation Process Message-ID: <8511092CB6C11C4BB2632F61A82C620C01C25C49@MIAMBX.pbsj.com> Dear Coral List: SECOND NOTICE! TFI Learning's Coral Reef Restoration: Scientific Frameworks for Rehabilitation conference is taking place October 18-19, 2005 at the University of Miami James L. Knight International Center in Miami, Florida. This event will bring together scientists, researchers, government officials, ecologists, resource managers and coral reef restoration professionals to share the most up-to-date strategies and information on the coral reef rehabilitation process. * Explore critical issues in managing reef ecosystems * Assess aesthetic components of ecological restoration * Analyze the role of technology transfer on the rehabilitation process * Examine applied experimental ecology * Gain new ideas from practical restoration case studies * Determine how much compensatory restoration is necessary * Analyze the benefits of a cooperative Natural Resources Damage Assessment * Examine ethical dilemmas in coral reef restoration This event will offer a conceptual framework on reef assessment and restoration. It will assist Scientists and Resource Managers in the decision making process from initial assessment of the injury through conceptual restoration design, implementation and monitoring. Participants will benefit from an integrated, multidisciplinary approach that encompasses engineering, geological, biological and socioeconomic factors. The conference will be a unique opportunity to exchange information and learn from practical case studies on the challenges of a coral reef rehabilitation project. Coral Reef Specialists Conference Speakers: Billy Causey, NOAA FKNMS Bill Goodwin, NOAA FKNMS G.P. Schamahl, NOAA FGBNMS Greg Piniak, USGS Walt Japp, FMRI David Gilliam, NCRI - Nova Southeastern Univ. Les Kaufman, Boston University Margaret Miller, NOAA Rebecca Vidra, Duke University Sharon Shutler, NOAA Steven Miller, University of North Carolina at Wilmington William F. Precht, PBS&J and others! Register for this event today! Call (508) 614-1234, or visit http://www.tfilearning.com . Contact Bill Precht for more information (305)514-3488 Sorry for any cross-posting! From caroline_rogers at usgs.gov Fri Sep 30 16:09:40 2005 From: caroline_rogers at usgs.gov (Caroline S Rogers) Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2005 16:09:40 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Severe bleaching in St. John, Virgin Islands Message-ID: Consistent with Al Strong's predictions, there is now severe bleaching of most of the coral species on the reefs of St. John, US Virgin Islands. Bleaching was first noted on Millepora, Agaricia, and the zoanthid Palythoa beginning in August. In the last 2 weeks, the bleaching has become more extensive. The major reef building or common coral species affected include: Montastraea annularis, M.faveolata, M. franksi, Porites astreoides, Porites porites, Diploria labyrinthiformis, Colpophyllia natans, and D. strigosa. Acropora palmata, Acropora cervicornis, Dendrogyra cylindrus and M. cavernosa are exhibiting less bleaching. Mean water temperatures (at depth) for August and September are the highest recorded in 15 years of temperature monitoring. Water temperatures from a site at 16 m have been over 30 C since September 5th, reaching a maximum on of 30.8 on September 26. Jeff Miller Fisheries Biologist South Florida/Caribbean Network Mailing Address: Virgin Islands National Park 1300 Cruz Bay Creek St. John, VI 00830 PH: 340-693-8950, ext: 227 Fax: 340-693-9131 William_J_Miller at nps.gov Caroline Rogers USGS Caribbean Field Station St. John, VI caroline_rogers at usgs.gov (Embedded image moved to file: pic00491.jpg) From ctwiliams at yahoo.com Fri Sep 30 14:46:46 2005 From: ctwiliams at yahoo.com (Tom Williams) Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2005 11:46:46 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Coral-List] Reef Regeneration In-Reply-To: <032201c5c530$245a31c0$6300a8c0@HP> Message-ID: <20050930184646.35295.qmail@web50401.mail.yahoo.com> Agreed The development of the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai - <12m ACD involved direct burial and dredging of more than 1,000,000sqm not counting plume effects. An estimate for relocating >20L heads + improving moving sands (<10% i.e., =0.1%, 1000sqm) was more than US$500K with volunteer labor (10 divers) plus the probability of plume burials. I believe the usual compensation for oaks would in fact be 10:1 10% probability therefore for relocation/reintorduction the compensation basis would be 10M sq m to replace 1M sqm......CAN NOT BE DONE, but until we start getting a practical pricing US$10K/sqm of reef to avoid ability of the developers to say "Look we are compensating...therefore everything is OK." Dr. Tom Williams --- John McManus wrote: > Hi Amy, > One important consideration is scale. The average true coral reef is on the order of 1 sq km, or 1 million sq m. A million dollars can support developing and implementing an effective, participatory management plan for many such natural reefs, potentially leading to vastly improved coral settlement (via reduction of algae, etc.). Applying that same amount of money to support replanting corals or building artificial reefs, I would be surprised if you could cover an area reasonably well equal to 1/10th of an average natural reef. And, you will still need the effective management plan to ensure proper protection of what has been done from algal overgrowth and other abuse. I would deal with planting corals only after an effective management plan has been in place for a few years, and it becomes clear that no corals are settling on their own accord. Cheers! John ____________________________________ *** Please note new phone numbers (361 now 421) *** > John W. McManus, PhD. > Professor, Marine Biology and Fisheries > Director, National Center for Caribbean Coral Reef > Research (NCORE) > Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science > 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL, 33149 > 305-421-4814, 305-421-4820, Fax: 305-421-4910 > www.ncoremiami.org > jmcmanus at rsmas.miami.edu > > "If I cannot build it, I do not understand it." -- > Richard P. Feynman, Nobel > Laureate > > -----Original Message----- > From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > [mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov] On > Behalf Of Amy Ridgeway > Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 10:35 AM > To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > Subject: [Coral-List] Reef Regeneration > > I am currently looking into the different methods > currently being employed > to manipulate coral recruitment via the enhancement > of coral settlement or > the enhancement of herbivorous fish stocks and > attempts being made to > reverse phase shift around the world. > > I have already been made aware of several systems of > artificial reef > (ReefBall, EcoReefs, Biorock) and also a couple of > other projects around the > world looking to address the issue of regeneration > in different ways e.g. > through increases in larval seeding or environmental > clean-ups. I would be > most grateful if anyone were able to assist me in my > research by either > informing me of other specific case studies or > systems that they were aware > of, or even better actively involved with. > > Many thanks > > Amy Ridgeway > Science Intern > > Coral Cay Conservation Ltd > > _______________________________________________ > Coral-List mailing list > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list > > > > _______________________________________________ > Coral-List mailing list > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list > From nellie_bryl at yahoo.co.uk Fri Sep 30 14:18:42 2005 From: nellie_bryl at yahoo.co.uk (Helen Brylewska) Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2005 19:18:42 +0100 (BST) Subject: [Coral-List] Coral Surface Area Formulae Message-ID: <20050930181842.71864.qmail@web25001.mail.ukl.yahoo.com> Dear Coral List, I am trying to calculate the surface area of live Diploria sp. brain corals from a variety of measurements taken in the field (height, longest diameter and diameter at right angle to this), however am struggling to find accurate formulae for the variety of shapes that i am encountering. Relatively flat morphs are easy enough, as are the nicely round based hemispherical or spherical ones. i am struggling with the elliptical based shapes and the more 'lobed' ones. Ellipsoid surface area formulae all seem to be somewhat inaccurate. So, if anyone has any advice or ideas for me they would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance Nellie ___________________________________________________________ To help you stay safe and secure online, we've developed the all new Yahoo! Security Centre. http://uk.security.yahoo.com From reefball at reefball.com Fri Sep 30 14:44:44 2005 From: reefball at reefball.com (reefball at reefball.com) Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2005 14:44:44 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Coral List Submission In-Reply-To: <20050926141017.98933.qmail@web51902.mail.yahoo.com> References: <20050926141017.98933.qmail@web51902.mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <20050930144444.8b3kechikxusk4cg@webmail.reefball.com> Hi Vaese, Just a quick note, The Reef Ball Foundation's Red Mangrove division is developing a proposal for using Red Mangrove to reduce the impact of a public aquarium's outflow for purposes of reducing the load of ammonia, nitrites and nitrates, etc. Theoretically, surface area is the key and that is why Red Mangrove roots are a good choice as they provide alot of biological surface area contacting the waters. I will let you know our monitoring results if this project is undertaken. It is planned to be extensively monitored. -Todd Barber Reef Ball Foundation Quoting Vanese Flood : > Hi Erik, > I'm surprised at the comment "with bleaching, etc > there are more pressing issues in the coral world". > At this point, all corals that are in healthy > condition should be kept that way precisely because of > coral bleaching on other reefs. > Additionally, mangroves are "wetlands". They are > important buffers to both land from hurricane damage > and to reefs from land run-off. The affects of last > year's Tsunami were greatly worsened in areas where > mangroves had been cut back for commercial fish > farming. The golf course construction must be costing > millions. Surely they should protect their investment > by letting nature provide an important buffer from > storm erosion. Mangroves will provide this. As for a > "wet land" buffer for runoff from > the fertilizer -- does anyone on the list know if > mangroves can serve in this way?? > In addition to this, mangroves are important fish > hatcheries/nurseries. Get the fishermen and dive > operators involved in this project. I'll stick my > neck out here and say that THERE is a direct effect on > fish populations when mangroves have been depleted. > The more involvement from various other businesses in > the area, the stronger your argument to get the > developers to work with you. > Good luck, and keep us posted on the development. > Vanese Flood > > --- Erik Gauger wrote: > >> At the beginning of this week, Kalai posted a public >> reply to my >> email about Guana Cay. He asked, "how close is the >> reef to the >> golf course?" >> >> The answer is that the reef is 45 feet from the >> shore. There is a >> photo here. The land is a proposed fairway. >> >> > http://www.notesfromtheroad.com/WestIndies/bakers_bay_intro4.htm >> >> I have received over 50 gracious replies to my >> original query. It >> may take me a few weeks to respond to everybody. >> However, the >> assistance I have received has been enormous. I >> understand that >> with bleaching, etc there are more pressing issues >> in the coral >> world. >> >> I want to make it clear that the proposed golf >> course is very >> 'green' and that this issue is one of 'best >> practices' versus 'what >> will actually happen to the reef.' The golf course >> uses seagrass >> paspalam, and the land will be terraformed so that >> the runoff from >> the fertilizer will go into a manmade wetlands (the >> mangroves are >> being cleared for a 250 slip marina). >> >> Several of you have written me that golf courses can >> be built in a >> very green way. I am familiar with such golf course >> projects in >> places like Hawaii, where the golf course and reef >> are separated by >> hundreds of yards and even hills. Guana Cay is very >> different >> because it is a tiny island only an 1/8th of a mile >> wide and seven >> miles long. The 250 boat marina will be dredged >> from mangroves or >> wetlands, and will be as close to the reef as the >> Disney dredging >> project, which was estimated to have killed off 1/3 >> of the corals >> on the Northeastern edge of the island. >> >> A large pdf of the golf course plan: >> >> > http://www.discoverylandco.com/images/bakersbay/illustrative_plan.p >> df >> >> and my map of the island: >> >> > http://www.notesfromtheroad.com/WestIndies/guana_map.html >> >> Thanks for all your assistance in helping someone >> from the outside. >> >> Erik >> notesfromtheroad.com >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >> [mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov]On >> Behalf Of >> coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >> Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 1:25 PM >> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >> Subject: SPAM-LOW: Coral-List Digest, Vol 27, Issue >> 21 >> >> >> Send Coral-List mailing list submissions to >> coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >> >> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, >> visit >> >> > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list >> or, via email, send a message with subject or body >> 'help' to >> coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >> >> You can reach the person managing the list at >> coral-list-owner at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >> >> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it >> is more specific >> than "Re: Contents of Coral-List digest..." >> >> >> Today's Topics: >> >> 1. Re: Present Bleaching Event - PR & USVI etc. >> (Kristen Hoss) >> 2. U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting (Beth >> Dieveney) >> 3. Re: Re: Coral-List Digest, Vol 27, Issue 20 >> (Alan E Strong) >> >> >> > ------------------------------------------------------------------- >> --- >> >> Message: 1 >> Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 08:28:36 -0700 (PDT) >> From: Kristen Hoss >> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Present Bleaching Event - >> PR & USVI etc. >> To: "scott.stripling" , >> Alan E Strong >> >> Cc: Roger B Griffis , >> coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov, >> Lisamarie.Carrubba at noaa.gov >> Message-ID: >> <20050923152836.67610.qmail at web53912.mail.yahoo.com> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 >> >> Hello, >> >> I was wondering if anyone has ever studied the >> correlation of coral >> bleaching episodes as possible indicators of what >> hurricane >> activity may be like during the year? I was >> wondering if there was >> a connection that could be used as a prediction >> tool, or if the >> correlation would just be related to the already >> known water >> temperatures and weather patterns, etc.... >> >> -Kristen Hoss >> Marine Researcher >> and Wildlife Biologist-USDA/APHIS/WS >> >> "scott.stripling" wrote: >> With the NE Caribbean currently located underneath >> an elongated >> area of >> low pressure, >> light and variable winds will continue to dominate >> the region for >> the >> next 1 to 2 weeks. >> Computer models are forecasting only brief (6-12 >> hour periods) of >> anything >> approaching normal trade wind flow during this time. >> Thus the >> stagnant >> mixing conditions will >> persist regionally through the first week of >> October, at the least. >> >> Scott Stripling >> NOAA/NWS San Juan >> >> Alan E Strong wrote: >> >> > *NOTICE - Bleaching continues to evolve throughout >> Eastern >> Caribbean* >> > >> > Beginning in the central Keys during August >> (Sombrero Key >> especially) >> > the warm water episode and accompanying bleaching >> for this year >> is >> > progressing south and eastward through Cuba, >> Puerto Rico and the >> > Virgin Islands. This can visually be seen in our >> recent 12-week >> > composite of HotSpot accumulations - Degree >> Heating Weeks (DHWs): >> > >> > >> > http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/data2/dhwa.9.19.2005.gif >> > >> > and HotSpots: >> > >> > >> > http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/data/hotspotwnc.gif >> > >> > Extremely high DHWs above "8" in much of the >> Virgin Islands are >> quite >> > worrisome as these levels in past bleaching events >> typically >> bring >> > some mortality to corals. This evolving episode >> continues to be >> at >> > === message truncated === > > > > > __________________________________ > Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 > http://mail.yahoo.com > _______________________________________________ > Coral-List mailing list > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list > From sale at uwindsor.ca Fri Sep 30 15:02:37 2005 From: sale at uwindsor.ca (sale at uwindsor.ca) Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2005 15:02:37 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Re position in coastal marine programs In-Reply-To: <20050930160008.8957717933@coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Message-ID: The United Nations University unit in Canada, the International Network for Water, Environment and Health, is seeking a mid-level Program Officer, for Coastal Zone Programs. UNU-INWEH undertakes capacity-building and research projects in various developing countries. This position would be based in Hamilton ON Canada, but limited overseas travel is likely. We seek a person with PhD in marine science or engineering, or environmental science, and several years post-PhD appropriate experience. I attach the job advertisement. Applications should NOT be sent to Coral List, nor to me. More information about UNU-INWEH is available at www.inweh.unu.edu/inweh Peter F. Sale International Network on Water, Environment and Health United Nations University and Biological Sciences University of Windsor Windsor ON Canada N9B 3P4 519-253-3000, ext. 2727 519-971-3609 FAX sale at uwindsor.ca www.uwindsor.ca/sale From scott.stripling at noaa.gov Fri Sep 30 17:23:48 2005 From: scott.stripling at noaa.gov (scott.stripling) Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2005 17:23:48 -0400 Subject: [Coral-List] Present Bleaching Event - PR & USVI etc. In-Reply-To: <433C7AD2.9060200@noaa.gov> References: <20050923152836.67610.qmail@web53912.mail.yahoo.com> <433C7AD2.9060200@noaa.gov> Message-ID: <433DACE4.3000404@noaa.gov> Kristen, Alan- To answer Kristen's question, atmospheric conditions, as well as oceanic conditions, must be favorable for tropical cyclones to form. So a very warm ocean will not necessarily lead to tropical cyclone development all by itself. Due to the oceanography of the local region, every year the upper layer waters are warm enough to support the development of tropical cyclones here in the NE Caribbean. The anomalously warm SST's that aid in setting up the biological conditions for bleaching can be assumed to be connected to weaker than normal trades across or very near the region in question, and/or other significant low level atmospheric changes that result in significant changes in oceanic currents. Both of these conditions now appear at play in our region. Surface pressure across the W Atlantic and into the northern Caribbean have generaly been below normal since the beginning of the year. This has helped to produce a displaced, or much weakened "Bermuda High", with the dominant high pressure cell in the Atlantic meandering closer to the Azores in the central and NE Atlantic. This has caused a reduced trade wind flow across the tropical Atlantic, leading to less mixing, and slower regional currents. Too, another factor at play is the larger scale horizontal circulation of the Atlantic. During the past 2 years, there have been extended periods (on the order of several weeks) with greatly reduced transport or flow in the Gulf Stream off of Florida. This has to contribute to a slower than normal Atlantic Basin circulation and other such anomalies in the circulation patterns. It has been my contention that NOAA will never be able to accurately model the coupled global ocean-atmosphere system unless there is a more comprehensive in situ oceanic observing network established, with highest importance placed in regions of the major currents. In the case of the Atlantic, the Gulf stream is the major heat input to the hemisphere, and all the water flowing through the Gulf stream originates in the Caribbean. So to accurately model the entire Atlantic circulation, one would assume that in situ measurements would be needed of both the input and the output of the Gulf stream. That would mean monitoring the flow through the major passages into the Caribbean, as well as key segments along the Gulf stream flow. So...while I am on my soap box, may I ask of you on the coral list, and in NOAA to help point out this important issue to NOAA policy makers. One of NOAA's big strategic goals for the next decade is monitoring and modeling of climate change. I argue that if we don't have the proper input into the models, how can we accurately model this complex system? Scott Stripling NOAA-NWS San Juan Alan E. Strong wrote: > Hi Kristen -- Now that would be an interesting survey....we have often > observed that once an overall bleaching tendency has established > itself over a certain region as hurricanes move though that region > SSTs are brought down by mixing and upwelling. Obviously, this extra > "fuel" available for the tropical storm has the ability to enhance > these tropical storms...so much more is necessary from the atmosphere > to first permit a tropical depression to first develop...therein lies > the key.... > Right now we are witnessing a large pool of anomalously high SSTs > centered around the Virgin Islands...but no hurricanes have actually > formed or been enhance, to my knowledge, over that area yet this year... > > Cheers, > Al > > Kristen Hoss wrote: > >> Hello, >> >> I was wondering if anyone has ever studied the correlation of coral >> bleaching episodes as possible indicators of what hurricane activity >> may be like during the year? I was wondering if there was a >> connection that could be used as a prediction tool, or if the >> correlation would just be related to the already known water >> temperatures and weather patterns, etc.... >> >> -Kristen Hoss >> Marine Researcher >> and Wildlife Biologist-USDA/APHIS/WS >> >> */"scott.stripling" /* wrote: >> >> With the NE Caribbean currently located underneath an elongated >> area of >> low pressure, >> light and variable winds will continue to dominate the region for >> the >> next 1 to 2 weeks. >> Computer models are forecasting only brief (6-12 hour periods) of >> anything >> approaching normal trade wind flow during this time. Thus the >> stagnant >> mixing conditions will >> persist regionally through the first week of October, at the least. >> >> Scott Stripling >> NOAA/NWS San Juan >> >> Alan E Strong wrote: >> >> > *NOTICE - Bleaching continues to evolve throughout Eastern >> Caribbean* >> > >> > Beginning in the central Keys during August (Sombrero Key >> especially) >> > the warm water episode and accompanying bleaching for this year is >> > progressing south and eastward through Cuba, Puerto Rico and the >> > Virgin Islands. This can visually be seen in our recen t 12-week >> > composite of HotSpot accumulations - Degree Heating Weeks (DHWs): >> > >> > http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/data2/dhwa.9.19.2005.gif >> > >> > and HotSpots: >> > >> > http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/data/hotspotwnc.gif >> > >> > Extremely high DHWs above "8" in much of the Virgin Islands are >> quite >> > worrisome as these levels in past bleaching events typically bring >> > some mortality to corals. This evolving episode continues to be at >> > near unprecedented levels of thermal stress for this region >> since our >> > satellite records began in the mid-80s. From the chart one can >> observe >> > that eastern Puerto Rico is under higher levels of thermal >> stress at >> > present than western PR....hence the recent reports of >> considerable >> > bleaching. Until some reduced solar radiation and/or wind & mixing >> > comes to the "rescue" we worry about prospects along much of the >> > Windward Islands toward South America over the next month or so. >> > >> > Sorry our repot couldn't be more positive. >> > >> > Regards, >> > >> > Al Strong >> > NOAA's Coral Reef Watch >> > http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/index.html >> > >> >> >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> >> > >> >_______________________________________________ >> >Coral-List mailing list >> >Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >> >http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list >> > >> > >> _______________________________________________ >> Coral-List mailing list >> Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov >> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list >> >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Yahoo! for Good >> Click here to donate to >> the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. > > >