|
Description:
Title:
Baseline assessments for coral reef community structure and demographics on West Maui : data report
Author(s):
Vargas-Ángel, Bernardo, 1965-
White, Darla
Storlazzi, Curt D. (Curt Daron)
Callender, Tova
Maurin, Paulo
United States. National Marine Fisheries Service,
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (U.S.)
United States, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
Coral Reef Conservation Program (U.S.)
Corporate Name:
United States. National Marine Fisheries Service,
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (U.S.)
United States, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
Coral Reef Conservation Program (U.S.)
Dates of Publication:
2017
Abstract:
The coastal and upslope terrains of West Maui have had a long history of impacts owing to more than a century of human activities. Resource extraction, agriculture, as well as residential and resort development have caused land-based pollution that impairs water quality and adversely impact the adjacent marine ecosystem. Today, West Maui's coral reefs are chronically impacted by the effects of land-based pollution, mainly sedimentation and nutrients, with documented losses of 30 - 75% in coral cover over the last 20 years. Nonetheless, despite their current status and levels of environmental impact, these coral reef communities represent a key local resource and a counterpoint to the overall low coral reef development levels both island- and state-wide. This is of high relevance because the occurrence of coral-rich assemblages and accreted reef complexes statewide is sparse. Only limited segments along the coastlines of Maui, Hawai'i, Lana'i, Moloka'i, and Kaho'olawe, harbor mature, fringing coral reefs; and unfortunately, many of them are seriously threatened by terrestrial runoff. This report describes the results of baseline assessment surveys of coral reef benthic structure, coral community demographics, and coral condition. These surveys are intended to provide benchmarks for continued monitoring efforts and provide a gauge for comparing and evaluating the effectiveness of management actions to reduce land-based sources of pollution in priority watersheds on West Maui. Within this context, 12 permanent, long-term monitoring sites were strategically established adjacent to the 7 primary stream drainages (Wahikuli, Honokōwai, Mahinahina, Kahana/Ka'opala, Honokeana, Honokahua, and Honolua) within the five priority watersheds (Wahikuli, Honokōwai, Kahana, Honokahua, and Honolua). Herein, benthic cover and composition, coral demographics, and coral condition of the monitoring sites are described and contrasted in the 'Benthic Characterization' and 'Synthesis and Discussion' sections of this report"--Executive Summary. [doi:10.7289/V5/SP-PIFSC-17-001 (https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/SP-PIFSC-17-001)]
Keywords:
Benthos
Coral reefs and islands
Corals
Effect of human beings on
Effect of water pollution on
Environmental impact analysis
Habitat
Monitoring
Place Keywords:
Hawaii
Maui
Local Corporate Name:
NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service)
PIFSC (Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center)
CoRIS (Coral Reef Information System)
Type of Resource:
Miscellaneous
Genre:
PIFSC special publication ; SP-17-001
Note:
The coastal and upslope terrains of West Maui have had a long history of impacts owing to more than a century of human activities. Resource extraction, agriculture, as well as residential and resort development have caused land-based pollution that impairs water quality and adversely impact the adjacent marine ecosystem. Today, West Maui's coral reefs are chronically impacted by the effects of land-based pollution, mainly sedimentation and nutrients, with documented losses of 30 - 75% in coral cover over the last 20 years. Nonetheless, despite their current status and levels of environmental impact, these coral reef communities represent a key local resource and a counterpoint to the overall low coral reef development levels both island- and state-wide. This is of high relevance because the occurrence of coral-rich assemblages and accreted reef complexes statewide is sparse. Only limited segments along the coastlines of Maui, Hawai'i, Lana'i, Moloka'i, and Kaho'olawe, harbor mature, fringing coral reefs; and unfortunately, many of them are seriously threatened by terrestrial runoff. This report describes the results of baseline assessment surveys of coral reef benthic structure, coral community demographics, and coral condition. These surveys are intended to provide benchmarks for continued monitoring efforts and provide a gauge for comparing and evaluating the effectiveness of management actions to reduce land-based sources of pollution in priority watersheds on West Maui. Within this context, 12 permanent, long-term monitoring sites were strategically established adjacent to the 7 primary stream drainages (Wahikuli, Honokōwai, Mahinahina, Kahana/Ka'opala, Honokeana, Honokahua, and Honolua) within the five priority watersheds (Wahikuli, Honokōwai, Kahana, Honokahua, and Honolua). Herein, benthic cover and composition, coral demographics, and coral condition of the monitoring sites are described and contrasted in the 'Benthic Characterization' and 'Synthesis and Discussion' sections of this report"--Executive Summary. [doi:10.7289/V5/SP-PIFSC-17-001 (https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/SP-PIFSC-17-001)]
2017
NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service)
PIFSC (Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center)
CoRIS (Coral Reef Information System)
Library
http://doi.org/10.7289/V5/SP-PIFSC-17-001
Public Domain
1860
URL:
DOI:
|
