[Coral-List] Re: A healthy Reef in the Florida Keys?
Phillip Kramer
pkramer at tnc.org
Thu Feb 16 15:18:04 EST 2006
Hi Phil- As Chris mentioned, The Florida Reef Resilience Program (FRRP) has
been working on this question for the past year. Finding few agreed upon
quantitative metrics for assessing resilience on Florida reefs in the
literature has led us to approaching it from a number of different angles-
expert input, review and analysis of existing monitoring data, statistically
based broad-scale surveys to quantify response to disturbance (in this case
bleaching) across all sub-regions and reef zones that have been identified
within the Florida reef tract, and finer scale investigations tracking coral
survivorship along selected gradients.
Below is a summary from a pilot expert based (delphic) exercise we did last
year to tap into local knowledge. Not surprisingly, we found quite a bit of
disparity between what experts thought were "resilient" often based on
background/expertise/age of the person. From this excersise, we have a GIS
database and can provide maps which identify over 43 "resilient" reefs as
identified by experts along with the reasons these reefs were identified.
This might be a useful starting point for where to start looking at some
standard metrics. Steven Miller's group also has a very rich baseline
dataset collected over a number of years for a much broader set of
functional and structural indicators that may also help inform this
question.
If anyone is interested in the expert maps or an overview of the FRRP
program just let me know. We can also share results of the first broad
scale bleaching surveys carried out last summer.
Regards,
Phil
Philip Kramer, Ph. D.
Director, Caribbean Marine Program
The Nature Consevancy
55 N. Johnson Road
Sugarloaf Key, FL 33042
305-745-8402 ext. 103
Summary of South Florida Reef Expert Meetings on Reslience
One of the initial goals of the Florida Reef Resilience Program (FRRP) is to
locate and map coral reefs within the region that exhibit characteristics of
resilience. To arrive at this goal, several activities have been
implemented by The Nature Conservancy during spring 2005. Along with
conducting an analysis of existing coral reef monitoring data, anecdotal
information has been collected from local reef experts to help identify
where potentially resilient reefs are located. A diverse array of
individuals with considerable first hand knowledge of the coral reef
resources within the region were identified and subsequently interviewed for
this effort. Three tropical sea life collectors, 2 fishers, 6 federal
employees (NOAA and USGS), 1 state employee, 5 individuals affiliated with
universities, 7 members of local non-governmental organizations, and 1 dive
industry representative were involved with this process. These 25
individuals provided a wealth of information from a wide geographic range
and from varying perspectives.
Interviews with individuals or small groups were conducted over a 4 week
period; from April 1 through Aril 26, 2005. During each interview, a
similar range of questions were asked to ensure compatibility of responses.
Reef experts were first given a brief description about the FRRP goals and
overview of a number of activities currently underway. Each person was
first asked to comment on the spatial framework which identifies unique reef
strata that occur within different subregions and cross shelf zones of the
Florida reef tract. This spatial framework will function to identify
distinct reef biotopes within the region and guide the a regional
stratiofied sampling design to assess response to disturbances such as coral
bleaching. Interviewed participants provided useful information on ways to
improve the framework and/or confirm its accuracy from their point of view.
Experts were asked if they know of existing data sets that may be useful for
the further improvement of the spatial framework as well. In order to
assess the geographic areas each individual is most familiar with, the zones
and sub-regions within the spatial framework were used as a reference.
Following these discussions, using nautical charts, benthic habitat maps,
and other spatial datasets, reef experts were asked to identify reef or
hardbottom areas they believe have maintained its functional integrity over
the past years to decades given the various disturbances which have
influenced south Florida. They were also asked if they know of special or
unique areas that may act as refuges (e.g., do not bleach when other areas
do or have functional or structural characteristics indicative of resilience
such areas with particularly high coral cover or large living coral heads,
etc..). Interviewees identified a wide range of potentially resilient
areas- from specific parts of individual reefs to entire habitats or zones.
The information gathered from these interviews on potentially resilient reef
areas was tabulated and then digitized in GIS. Along with these questions,
we asked the experts to comment on why they belief these areas are showing
signs of resilience (factors of resilience). Finally, we asked each
expert to describe what attributes of a reef is most valuable to them.
Table 1: List of interviewed reef experts
Reef Expert Organization/Occupation Geographic Area of Expertise
Don de Maria Fisher Lower Keys
Billy Causey Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Region wide
Ken Nedimyer Tropical sea life collector Upper and Lower Keys
Lad Atkins Reef Environmental Education Foundation Keys wide and SE coast
Harold Hudson Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Keys wide
Forest Young Dynasty Marine Rebecca Shoal to Middle Keys
Bob Ginsburg University of Miami, RSMAS Region wide
Margaret Miller NOAA-Fisheries Upper Keys through Miami
Dana Williams NOAA-Fisheries Upper Keys through Miami
Rodrigo Garza University of Miami, RSMAS Tortugas and Miami
Michelle PaddockUniversity of Miami, RSMAS Upper Keys through Miami
Bill Parks Tropical sea life collector Palm Beach County
Gene Shinn US Geological Survey Region wide
Bob Halley US Geological Survey Region wide
Walt Jaap Florida Wildlife Research Institute Region wide
Pam Muller University of South Florida Region wide
Dr. Ray McAllister Prof. Emeritus, Florida Atlantic University SE Coast
Stephen Attis Vone Research (501c3) Broward County
Timothy Attis Vone Research (501c3) Broward County
Debrorah Devers Vone Research (501c3) Broward County
David Zinni Vone Research (501c3) Broward County
Randy Brooks Vone Research (501c3) Broward County
Jeff Torode Greater Ft. Lauderdale Diving Association Broward County
Peter Cone Lobster diver Key West
Erich Bartels Mote Marine Laboratory Region wide
-----Original Message-----
From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
[mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov]On Behalf Of Christopher
Hawkins
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2006 11:17 AM
To: Phil Dustan; coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
Cc: Dave Loomis
Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Re: A healthy Reef in the Florida Keys?
Phil-
A good question. I know that TNC folks, as part of the Florida Reef
Resiliency Program (which has state, Sanctuary, NOAA and university
partners), is working on this as we speak. I am fairly sure they haven't
inked anything concrete yet, though.
Best,
Chris
><));> ><));> ><));> ><));>
Christopher Hawkins, PhD student
Human Dimensions of Resource Management
Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Program
Department of Natural Resources Conservation
314 Holdsworth Hall
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003
413.545.3749
Hawkins at forwild.umass.edu
Dear Listers,
With all this work, talk, and conferencing on
coral reef resiliency
underway, I was wondering if anyone can identify
a healthy reef (as
measured by some suite of measurable parameters)
in the Florida Keys or
Dry Tortugas that we could use as a "standard, or
baseline reef".
Thanks,
Phil
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