A Comparative Analysis of Coral Damage on Recreationally Used Reefs within Biscayne National Park, Florida
Tilmant JT and Schmahl GP. 1981. A Comparative Analysis of Coral Damage on Recreationally Used Reefs within Biscayne National Park, Florida. Pages 187-192. In Marine Sciences Center and Committee on Coral Reefs, International Association of Biological Oceanography (ed): Proceedings of the Fourth International Coral Reef Symposium. Manila, Philippines. 18-22 May 1981. Marine Sciences Center, University of the Philippines. Quezon City, Philippines
The authors compared the incidence of physical damage to corals between 4 buoyed patch reefs to a similar set of 4 unmarked reefs within Biscayne National Park, Florida. The reefs were studied for 3 years, and the authors found that general boat operations in the area (particularly due to groundings) were seriously affecting individual large coral colonies. Charts depict the mean number of damaged corals (Elkhorn, Schooner, Star, and Dome corals) observed for the buoyed-control reef pairs. A three-year study of coral patch reefs documented the incidence of physical damage to corals in relation to human use. Four bouyed patch reefs were compared to a similar set of four unmarked reefs. Eight repetitive 30 min systematic swims, conducted seasonally at each study reef, revealed mean incidences of damage ranging from 35 to 140 corals/count. Significant differences were not observed on less used unmarked reefs in most cases. Octocorallia comprised over 85% of the total damage observed. This coincided with the approximate proportion of that groups' occurrence in the coral community. Scleractinia averaged less than 5% of the total damage which was consistently less than their proportional occurrence. Annual visitation ranged from 3400 to 3600 persons on the bouyed reefs studied. The most frequent recreational activities observed were snorkeling and spearfishing. Natural wave action and substrate erosion were believed to account for the vast majority of coral damage encountered. Natural damage masked specific incidence of damage by swimmers or boaters. General boat operation in the area studied was found to be seriously affecting individual large colonies due to groundings.
- Type
- Conference Proceeding Paper
- Authors
- Tilmant, James; Schmahl, George
- Units
- BISC
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Boating, Coral, Impacts, Management, Reefs