Changes in the Reef-Coral Community of Carysfort Reef, Key Largo, Florida: 1974 to 1982
Dustan P and Halas JC. 1987. Changes in the Reef-Coral Community of Carysfort Reef, Key Largo, Florida: 1974 to 1982. Coral Reefs. 6:91-106
Data from 21 permanently marked line transects showed that significant changes occurred in the composition of the reef coral community on Carysfort Reef between 1975 and 1982-1983. Coral populations between 0 and 9 m show signs of change due primarily to physical disturbance while corals living between 10 and 21 m have decreased in abundance as a result of sedimentation and disease. Some species show no signs of change while others appear to be undergoing shifts in their vertical distribution and/or significantly decreasing in mean colony size. Observed decreases in species diversity and eveness of the reef-building corals suggest that the vitality of Carysfort Reef declined between 1975 and 1982-1983.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Dustan, Phillip; Halas, John
- Units
- BISC
- Keywords
- Coral Disease, Coral Reef, FL, FL, Florida Keys, Florida Reef Tract , Key Largo, Sedimentation, Species Diversity