Identification of biological and physical

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Identification of biological and physical
indicators to describe the condition and
predict decline of Hawaiian coral reef ecosystems
EVALUATION OF CORAL REEF CONDITION AND
IDENTIFICATION OF INDICATORS OF DECLINE IN THE
MAIN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS Kuulei Rodgers 22
January 2005
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Main Research Objectives
To describe spatial variation in Hawaiian coral
reef communities in relation to natural and
anthropogenic factors.
To identify specific factors, groups of factors,
indicator species or assemblages of organisms
that can provide early warning signs of coral
reef decline.
To identify reference sites for each habitat
class to be used as standards against which
impacted regions can be evaluated and
anthropogenic effects determined.
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1) Develop an extensive information database
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2) Describe coral reef communities in the Main
Hawaiian Islands
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3) Identify influential factors that relate to
reef condition
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4) Develop descriptive models that accurately
describe reef condition
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5) Evaluate and test models
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• Develop an extensive information
• database

• Develop an extensive information
• database

2) Describe coral reef communities in the MHI
3) Identify influential factors that relate to
reef condition
4) Develop descriptive models that accurately
describe reef condition
5) Evaluate and test models
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Random selection of transects
Kaloko/Honokohau Random Points
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Methodology
Standard Line Transects
Benthic Digital Photos
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CSV file
PhotoGrid
PhotoShop enhancement
EXCEL - Proofread
ACCESS Storage/query
Statistical Analyses
Data flowchart for digital photo transects
Publications Presentations
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Biological factors
Physical factors
Fish Parameters Total number Biomass Size
categories Endemism status Diversity Evenness Trop
hic guilds Target species
Coral Parameters Total coral cover Species
cover Species richness Diversity
Algal Parameters Macroalgae Calcareous algae Turf
algae
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Physical Parameters Rugosity Depth
Sediment and Substrate Parameters Sand Silt Rubble
Organics Carbonate Sediment grain-sizes
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Wave Parameters Wave heights maximums Wave height
means Wave direction Seasonal wave parameters
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Population Parameters Human population (within 5
km, 10 km) Population of surrounding watershed
Environmental Parameters Watershed size Stream
length Distance from nearest perennial
stream Precipitation
Other Relevant Parameters Geologic age Fishing
pressure Status of management protection
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• Develop an extensive information
• database

2) Describe coral reef communities in the MHI
3) Identify influential factors that relate to
reef condition
4) Develop descriptive models that accurately
describe reef condition
5) Evaluate and test models
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RATS n92 CRAMP n60 Mean ()
Porites lobata 7.0 6.4 6.7
Porites compressa 4.2 4.7 4.5
Montipora capitata 4.5 4.2 4.4
Montipora patula 1.4 3.7 2.6
Pocillopora meandrina 2.8 1.3 2.1
Montipora flabellata 0.4 1.5 1.0
Other species 15 sp. 0.4 0.9 0.7
Total 20.6 22.7 21.7
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Montipora patula
Porites lobata
Pocillopora meandrina
Porites compressa
Montipora capitata
Montipora flabellata
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Montipora flabellata Pocillopora
meandrina Porites lobata
Montipora capitata Porites compressa
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Top Ten Species
Chromis vanderbilti
Acanthurus nigrofuscus
Thalassoma duperrey
Ctenochaetus strigosus
Zebrasoma flavescens
Scarus species
Lutjanus kasmira
Chromis ovalis
Acanthurus leucopareius
Chromis agilis
Percent of total number of individuals
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Top Ten Species
Melichthys niger
Percent of total biomass
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Trophic Levels
From Friedlander et al. 2004. Status of Coral
Reefs in the Hawaiian Archipelago. Status of
Coral Reefs in the Hawaiian Archipelago. pp.
411-430 In Wilkenson, C. (ed.), Coral Reefs of
the World Volume 2, Australia Institute of Marine
Science, Townsville, Australia.
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percent of total
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Fish size classes
percent of total
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Fish Biomass (Mg/ha)
Kanahena Point
Hanauma Bay
Molokini Island
Kamiloloa
Waikiki
Pelekane Bay
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Diversity
Evenness
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Ni'ihau
Kaua'i
O'ahu
Moloka'i
Lana'i
Kaho'olawe
Maui
Hawai'i
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Management Protection
Fishing Pressure
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Frequency of occurrence of organic material
Sediments
Frequency of occurrence of silt/clay fraction
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Waikiki
Molokini
High Organics
Low Silt and Clay
low contribution of terrigenous material from
the surrounding watershed
Hanauma
high fish biomass
past or current history of fish feeding
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Deep
Calcium Carbonate
CaCO3
Large Grain-size
Organics Large grains
Kaapuna (1)
Shallow
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Principal Components Analysis
Some bays and sheltered sites
Some North-facing sites
Exposed/high wave energy sites
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• Develop an extensive information
• database

2) Describe coral reef communities in the MHI
3) Identify influential factors that relate to
reef condition
4) Develop descriptive models that accurately
describe reef condition
5) Evaluate and test models
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Northeast Tradewind Waves
North Pacific Swell
Windward
Leeward
Kona Storm Waves
Southern Swell
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• Develop an extensive information
• database

2) Describe coral reef communities in the MHI
3) Identify influential factors that relate to
reef condition
4) Develop descriptive models that accurately
describe reef condition
5) Evaluate and test models
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Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI)
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Hydrogeomorphic Model (HGM)
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Classification
Depth
Substrate
Wave Exposure
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Male Age 40- 50 Medium frame
Colonized hardbottom South facing shore 10m-20m
depth
Height/Weight 59 148-160
Heart rate 60-100 beats/min
Fish biomass 0.8-1.5 mT/hectare
Coral diversity 6-10 species
Blood pressure 110/80-130/90
Coral cover 60-80
Cholesterol levels lt200
Rugosity index 1.5-2.0
Vital Statistics
Biological criteria
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Reference Site Model-RSM
Ecological Gradient Model-EGM
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RSM Habitat Classification
Degree of Exposure Depth Range (m)
Exposed lt5
Sheltered lt5
Exposed 5-10
Sheltered 5-10
Exposed gt10 to 25
Sheltered gt10 to 25
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EGM Habitat Classification
Dominant Wave Regime Degree of Exposure Depth Range (m)
South Pacific Swell Exposed lt5
South Pacific Swell Sheltered lt5
North Pacific Swell Exposed lt5
North Pacific Swell Sheltered lt5
South Pacific Swell Exposed 5-10
South Pacific Swell Sheltered 5-10
North Pacific Swell Exposed 5-10
North Pacific Swell Sheltered 5-10
South Pacific Swell Exposed gt10 to 25
South Pacific Swell Sheltered gt10 to 25
North Pacific Swell Exposed gt10 to 25
North Pacific Swell Sheltered gt10 to 25
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Physical Factors Physical Factors Biological Factors Biological Factors Biological Factors
Other variables Sediment variables Coral Assemblage Characteristics Fish Assemblage Characteristics Algal Assemblage Characteristics
Rugosity Composition Organics CaCO3 Total coral cover Abundance Numerical Biomass Diversity Evenness Macroalgae Calcareous Turf
Substrate type (sand, silt) Grain-sizes Medium sand Fine sand Very fine sand Silt/clay Species Porites lobata P. compressa Montipora capitata M. patula M. flabellata Pocillopora meandrina Trophic guild Corallivores Detritivores Herbivores Mobile Invertebrate feeders Sessile Invertebrate feeders Planktivores Zooplanktivores
Human population within 5 km within 10 km Watershed Species richness Size classes lt5 cm 5-15 cm gt15 cm
Precipitation Distance from a perennial stream Species diversity Endemism status Endemic Indigenous Introduced
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• Develop an extensive information
• database

2) Describe coral reef communities in the MHI
3) Identify influential factors that relate to
reef condition
4) Develop descriptive models that accurately
describe reef condition
5) Evaluate and test models
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Reference Site Model
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100
100
100
Koloko/Honokohau, Hawaii
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71
100
Maunalua Bay, Oahu
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Kamiloloa, Molokai Puhi Bay, Hawaii Pelekane
Bay, Hawaii Leleiwi, Hawaii Waikiki, Oahu
Kaneohe Bay, Oahu Maalaea, Maui Puamana, Maui
Kamiloloa, Molokai Waikiki, Oahu Pelekane Bay,
Hawaii Kaneohe Bay, Oahu Hanalei Bay, Kauai
Kakahaia, Molokai Kamiloloa, Molokai Palaau,
Molokai, Kamalo, Molokai Hakioawa, Kahoolawe
Laupahoehoe, Hawaii Pelekane Bay, Hawaii
Kaneohe Bay, Oahu Puamana Maui
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Reference Site Limitations
Subjective site selection
Can not distinguish degree of impairment
High heterogeneity
Limited power in detecting disturbance
No comparative value
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Ecological Gradient Model
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Ecological Gradient Model
Identify degraded areas
Identify possible marine protected areas
Assess compatibility of experimental and control
sites for field experiments
Temporal comparisons to aid in mitigation
Evaluate changes in management policy
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Summary
High coral cover high rugosity low levels of
fines low wave regimes low population remoteness
from streams
Sedimentation high organics and high silt/clay
Depth stratification of sediment
Fish abundance Rugosity human population,
depth, organics, fishing pressure management
status.
High basalt and low CaCO3 low coral cover
No substitute measure for coral cover
North-facing large grain sizes
Overfishing Few large fishes Oahu lowest in most
fish parameters Few piscivores Food fish
absent Protected siteshigh fish
densities Anthropogenic impactlow fish densities
Model establish reef condition define
impairment identify disturbance
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Funding National Oceanographic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) Nancy Foster
Fellowship U.S. Geologic Survey
(USGS) Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB)
Mahalo Nui Loa