A Comparison of the Relative Abundance and Mean Diameter of Scleractinian Corals before and after Hurricane Hugo
Smith CK. 1989. A Comparison of the Relative Abundance and Mean Diameter of Scleractinian Corals before and after Hurricane Hugo
Determined the relative abundance of coral species in Waterlimon Cay, Leinster Bay, St. John and the mean diameter of coral colonies for three species (Agaricia agaricites, Porites astreiodes, Montastrea annularis). Compared results with similar work done before Hurricane Hugo. This study assessed the damage done to the shallow reef of Waterlimon Cay in Leinster Bay, St. John by Hurricane Hugo, 1989. The assessment is based on a comparison between a 1988 survey (Edmunds, Roberts, and Singer, in press) and a 1989 survey by this author of the relative abundance of coral species and the mean diameters of Agaricia agaricites, Porites astreiodes, and Montastrea annularis. There was no significant difference between the relative abundances of coral species in 1989 and 1988. The mean diameter of Agaricia pgaricites was significantly smaller in 1989 than in 1988. The mean diameter of Porites astreoides was significantly larger in 1989. The mean diameter of Montastrea annularis was not significantly different. It was concluded that Hurricane Hugo did not severely damage the coral reef in Leinster Bay.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Smith, Catherine
- Date of Issue
- 1989
- Units
- VIIS
- Keywords
- Agaricia agaricites (lettuce coral), Animal Studies, Boulder Star Coral (Montastrea annularis), Checklist, Coral, Hurricane Hugo, Hurricanes, mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides), Population, Size, Waterlimon Cay Leinster Bay St. John US Virgin Islands