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- Title
- AGRRA protocols and coral reef health in the Caribbean.
- Name/Creator
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Quintana, Arely
- Abstract/Description
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The objective of The Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) coral monitoring is to assess the size and overall condition of corals ≥ 4 cm to help evaluate important structural and functional attributes of tropical western Atlantic coral reefs. Data collected can provide information representative of large areas, like shelves, islands, countries or ecoregions. The coral monitoring surveys can be performed by snorkeling (
Show moreThe objective of The Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) coral monitoring is to assess the size and overall condition of corals ≥ 4 cm to help evaluate important structural and functional attributes of tropical western Atlantic coral reefs. Data collected can provide information representative of large areas, like shelves, islands, countries or ecoregions. The coral monitoring surveys can be performed by snorkeling (< 1.5 m), but SCUBA is now recommended for most assessments with diver expertise ranging from novice to highly trained. Survey sites should be chosen randomly within a geomorphic zone of a reef on an insular or continental shelf within one of twelve marine shelf ecoregions of the Tropical Northwestern province of the Tropical Atlantic biogeographic realm. The spatial extent of a site is about 200 m x 200 m and zones of maximum reef development are highly recommended. Recording of exact location using GPS is critical for data quality and consistency. Surveys are completed to assess coral health, recruitments, size, and species. Although single metrics are insufficient to measure whole coral system health due to the highly dynamic nature of reefs, the information collected can indirectly measure environmental quality of the reef and assist in understanding the effects of local and regional stressors. The use of trained volunteer divers whether amateur or professional provides a wealth of information in a cost friendly manner and the data collected from over 3,000 surveys is available in an open-access public database. Information collected from monitoring surveys has become a key source of scientific data used in other research programs, reef policies, legislation, management and conservation.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2021-04-21
- Identifier
- BC3355
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/broward/fd/BC3355
- Title
- Establishing a Long term Monitoring Plan for Hallandale Beach, Florida Nearshore Coral Reef Habitats.
- Name/Creator
-
Pollard, Madison Jane
- Abstract/Description
-
The city of Hallandale Beach, Florida adopted the “Our Local Coral Reef Protection Ordinance” in June of 2019, with plans to restore their coastline and protect the community from future storm surges. Ordinance No. 2019 1- 011 added sections 5 to 8 in Chapter 13 "Health and Sanitation" of the city of Hallandale Beach code of ordinances, which outline strategies to protect and restore the resilience of the nearshore coral reef. Complex coral reef systems bring higher biodiversity and will...
Show moreThe city of Hallandale Beach, Florida adopted the “Our Local Coral Reef Protection Ordinance” in June of 2019, with plans to restore their coastline and protect the community from future storm surges. Ordinance No. 2019 1- 011 added sections 5 to 8 in Chapter 13 "Health and Sanitation" of the city of Hallandale Beach code of ordinances, which outline strategies to protect and restore the resilience of the nearshore coral reef. Complex coral reef systems bring higher biodiversity and will raise the economic value of the reef to tourism. The length of Hallandale Beach shoreline is approximately 0.80mi (4200ft). Acropora cervicornis (Staghorn coral), a critically endanger species, is said to be found ½ mile off the coast of Hallandale Beach and is an important reef-building species to be monitored. This proposal will establish a long-term monitoring plan and baseline for the nearshore coral reef based on the Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) protocols. It will briefly outline procedures needed to accomplish the three different monitoring surveys and important indicators each SCUBA diver will be required to record. Corals are the primary builders of reef habitats and they benefit from the presence of reef fish and benthic organisms. Reef fish have different eating habits that promote positive structure changes such as, keeping turf algae in check clearing room for recruitment of polyps. Benthic promotors such as, crustose coralline algae and minimal turf algae encourage a healthy reef habitat. According to a map of Broward County, Florida reef structure created by Brain Walker, the linear reef inner begins about 0.80 mi (4200ft) and the liner reef middle ends at about 1.75mi (9240ft) from the shore. There appears to be no linear outer reef off the coast of Hallandale Beach. There is no previous baseline to compare future surveyed data or confirm presence and density of diver sighted Acropora cervicornis. Baselines are important historical data that enables the city to identify changes in the complexity of the reef structure and responses to climate change to make proactive decisions. An initial baseline of Hallandale’s reef will be made to be comparable with future monitoring data, as well as determine the effectiveness of the management plans in place. AGGRA protocols require a minimum of six divers and with the use of city vendors, equipment costs can be as low as 230 dollars. Without a coral reef, the city may face costly damages from natural disasters such as hurricanes. Coral Reefs provide protection against storm surges that without, coastal erosion would increase and leave the city without an offshore defense against high energy wave action. AGRRA protocols will be applied to create a basic level survey easily adaptable, this will provide community building and outreach opportunities through citizen science and volunteering.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020-06-15
- Identifier
- BC746
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/broward/fd/BC746
- Title
- The Atlantic Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) fish protocols.
- Name/Creator
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Self, Madison
- Abstract/Description
-
The Atlantic Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) is an international program aimed at improving conditions of reefs in the West Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, by providing a standardized assessment of key structural and functional indicators that can be used to reveal the regional condition of the reef. Reef fish carry out important roles such as predation and grazing, therefore by studying the abundance, size, and distribution of key species, we can gain insight on the changing dynamics of the...
Show moreThe Atlantic Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) is an international program aimed at improving conditions of reefs in the West Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, by providing a standardized assessment of key structural and functional indicators that can be used to reveal the regional condition of the reef. Reef fish carry out important roles such as predation and grazing, therefore by studying the abundance, size, and distribution of key species, we can gain insight on the changing dynamics of the reef and understand the roles humans play in effecting these fish populations. AGRRA fish surveys can be at a basic or detailed level, depending on the research needs. These protocols are carried out by a minimum of two trained SCUBA divers who will quantify the abundance and community composition of key species along a 30-meter-long by two-meter-wide belt transect. Once the survey is completed, team leaders will gather datasheets and submit them to the AGRRA database. The results of this data can then be used to serve as baselines for future studies of these reefs and to make educated and informed decisions on management practices for these regions.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2021-04-21
- Identifier
- BC3354
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/broward/fd/BC3354
