Coral responses to macroalgal reduction and fisheries closure on Caribbean patch reefs
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Published source details
McClanahan T.R., Huntington B.E. & Cokos B. (2011) Coral responses to macroalgal reduction and fisheries closure on Caribbean patch reefs. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 437, 89-102.
Published source details McClanahan T.R., Huntington B.E. & Cokos B. (2011) Coral responses to macroalgal reduction and fisheries closure on Caribbean patch reefs. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 437, 89-102.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Designate a Marine Protected Area and prohibit all types of fishing Action Link |
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Remove problematic species Action Link |
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Designate a Marine Protected Area and prohibit all types of fishing
A replicated, controlled study in 2003–2004 of 16 patch reefs in Belize (McClanahan et al. 2011) found that in protected areas that prohibited all fishing there was lower growth rates for transplanted corals Siderastrea siderea and Porites astreoides, and higher rates of mortality and bleaching for S. siderea, compared to areas in which fishing was not prohibited. Eighteen months after transplanting, average growth rates were lower in areas where fishing was prohibited compared to areas with fishing for S. siderea (13 vs 28%) and P. astreoides (2 vs 24%). Average bleaching and mortality rates were higher in unfished than fished areas for S. siderea (bleaching: 13 vs 6%; mortality: 15 vs 10%), but there was no significant effect on P. astreoides (data not reported). In January 2003, six ‘fist-sized’ S. siderea and P. astreoides were transplanted onto each of 16 patch reefs (each 25–50 m2) in a marine reserve. Half were in an area in which fishing had been prohibited for eight years, and the other half in an area still fished. Corals were collected from 1–3 km away and attached using masonry cement. Bleached corals were counted monthly, and surviving corals measured every three months, until August 2004.
(Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)
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Remove problematic species
A replicated, controlled study in 2003–2004 of 16 patch reefs in Belize (McClanahan et al. 2011) found that removing algae from transplant sites for massive starlet Siderastrea siderea and mustard hill Porites astreoides corals had mixed effects on bleaching and survival rates, and no effect on growth. Eighteen months after transplanting, average bleaching rates for massive starlet coral were lower at sites with algae removed (0.7%) than without (1%), and there was no effect on growth or survival rates (data not reported). For mustard hill coral, sites with algae clearance had lower average survival rates (85%) than those without (90%), and there was no effect on growth or bleaching rates (data not reported). In January 2003, and monthly thereafter, algae were removed from eight of 16 patch reefs (each 25–50 m2) using hedge clippers and wire brushes. Algae were left intact on the other eight reefs. Shortly after initial algae removal, six ‘fist-sized’ massive starlet and mustard hill corals were collected from 1–3 km away and attached to each of the 16 reefs using masonry cement. Bleached corals were counted monthly, and surviving corals measured every three months, until August 2004.
(Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)
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