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Description:
Title:
Expanding conservations/sediment control practices in priority farm areas of the Guánica Bay : final comprehensive report
Author(s):
Waddell, Jenny
United States, National Ocean Service
United States, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
Coral Reef Conservation Program (U.S.)
Protectores de Cuencas
Corporate Name:
United States, National Ocean Service
United States, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
Coral Reef Conservation Program (U.S.)
Protectores de Cuencas
Dates of Publication:
2016
Abstract:
Historically, the Guánica Bay area was associated with some of the most extensive and healthy reef complexes in Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, coral reefs worldwide have experienced an unprecedented decline over the past 30-40 years, some estimates suggest that in the Caribbean we have lost more than 50% of live coral and over 90% of sensitive and federally listed Acropora palmata (elkhorn) and Acropora cervicornus (staghorn) species. Meanwhile studies by scientists in Puerto Rico have shown that nutrients and sediment contaminants have increased by 5-10 times pre-colonial levels and several times in the last 40-50 years (Ortiz-Zayas et. al., 2006). 'Coral reefs of Puerto Rico are among the most highly threatened Caribbean reef systems' (Ramos-Scharrón, 2010; Burke and Maidens, 2004). The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force determined that reducing the contribution from land-based sources of sediment was essential in maintaining the long-term stability of coral reefs (USCRTF, 2000). Even though most soils in Puerto Rico have a high to very high vulnerability to water erosion (Reich et al., 2001) and land erosion is recognized to pose a major threat to both freshwater and marine resources (Torres and Morelock, 2002; SolerLópez, 2001), limited actions are generally taken to mitigate its effects (Lugo et al., 1981)"--Introduction.
Keywords:
Coral reef conservation
Pollution
Prevention
Soil stabilization
Water
Watershed management
Watershed restoration
Place Keywords:
Puerto Rico
Guánica Bay
Local Corporate Name:
NOS (National Ocean Service)
CoRIS (Coral Reef Information System)
Type of Resource:
Professional Paper
Note:
Historically, the Guánica Bay area was associated with some of the most extensive and healthy reef complexes in Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, coral reefs worldwide have experienced an unprecedented decline over the past 30-40 years, some estimates suggest that in the Caribbean we have lost more than 50% of live coral and over 90% of sensitive and federally listed Acropora palmata (elkhorn) and Acropora cervicornus (staghorn) species. Meanwhile studies by scientists in Puerto Rico have shown that nutrients and sediment contaminants have increased by 5-10 times pre-colonial levels and several times in the last 40-50 years (Ortiz-Zayas et. al., 2006). 'Coral reefs of Puerto Rico are among the most highly threatened Caribbean reef systems' (Ramos-Scharrón, 2010; Burke and Maidens, 2004). The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force determined that reducing the contribution from land-based sources of sediment was essential in maintaining the long-term stability of coral reefs (USCRTF, 2000). Even though most soils in Puerto Rico have a high to very high vulnerability to water erosion (Reich et al., 2001) and land erosion is recognized to pose a major threat to both freshwater and marine resources (Torres and Morelock, 2002; SolerLópez, 2001), limited actions are generally taken to mitigate its effects (Lugo et al., 1981)"--Introduction.
2016
Grant no. NA15NOS4820072
NOS (National Ocean Service)
CoRIS (Coral Reef Information System)
Library
CRCP Project ID ; ID 198
Public Domain
1858
URL:
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