Rapid ecological assessment of the coral reef resources in the Ta`u unit of the National Park of American Samoa
Green A and Hughes T. 1999. Rapid ecological assessment of the coral reef resources in the Ta`u unit of the National Park of American Samoa
A study with the objectives of describing the extent of coral reef development; coral reef communities in terms of the presence and relative abundance of coral and fish species, as well as other selected species that are considered to be of local and/or national importance, assess the general condition of the reefs, and access if these reefs appear to be presently or potentially impacted by human activities. Includes list of fish coral species, table showing relative abundance of fishes near reef slopes, and maps. Incomplete in some areas; coral cover low on the reef crest with primarily encrusting and massives or squat branching forms due to extreme exposure to waves; top of drop off characterized by moderately high coral cover and species with three-dimensional growth forms; coral cover highest in areas with a gentler slope; coral cover sharply reduced near the sulfer vents in W portion of bay; fish moderately diverse with at least 119 spp; diversity higher on the shallow reef slope; no evidence of human impacts; the sulfer areas were an important cultural site and had little coral; also made recommendations.