A Three-year Evaluation of Community Dynamics of Coral Reefs at Fort Jefferson National Monument (Dry Tortugas National Park) Dry Tortugas, Florida, USA
Jaap WC, Wheaton JL, Donnelly KB. 1994. A Three-year Evaluation of Community Dynamics of Coral Reefs at Fort Jefferson National Monument (Dry Tortugas National Park) Dry Tortugas, Florida, USA. Florida Marine Research Institute, St. Petersburg, FL
Report on coral reefs at Dry Tortugas National Park. Measured attached algae, sponges, corals and substrates along transects. Used videos and photographs. Includes a list of species with indication of abundance and location over the 3-year period (1989-1991). Also graphs showing species richness, percent cover, dominance. We initiated a study to evaluate methods and begin a long-term ecological research program at Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas at five reef sites in May 1989. We measured attached algae, sponges, corals, and substrates along 20 to 25 m long chain transects. A carriage-mounted video camera, suspended on cables was pushed the length of a transect. Corals (Millepora, Octocorallia, and Scleractinia) were inventoried within five 2.56 m2 quadrats at five reef sites. A 35 mm camera mounted on a frame was used to photograph the area within each quadrat. We evaluated recruitment with ceramic tiles providing an effective settling area of 249.3 CM2 (each tile). Dominant biota, as determined by abundance and cover, remained similar during the 1989-1991 period. Classification analyses by station and time corroborated stability. The heterogeneity, high-relief, and layered canopy of these coral reef habitats restrict the usefulness of photography and video. Settlement rates for Millepora, Octocorallia, and Scleractinia were 46.8, 122.1, and 18.5 recruits per m2 respectively. Millepora and octocoral recruits exhibited a preference for particular sites, positions, and orientations; however, the Scleractinia exhibited no preferences.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Jaap, Walter; Wheaton, Jennifer; Donnelly, K.
- Date of Issue
- 1994
- Units
- DRTO
- Keywords
- and Scleractinia), Animal Studies, Biodiversity, Checklist, Coral (Millepora, Monitoring, Octocorallia, Percent Cover, Population, Reefs, Substrate