Coral Damage and San Salvador Hurricane History

This topic submitted by Bradley Martin ( bhigginsmartin@yahoo.com) at 11:54 AM on 6/6/03.

Jen, Stacy and Tom relax on their way to Gaulin Reef in the Bahamas

Tropical Field Courses -Interdisciplinary Studies-Miami University


INTRODUCTION:

This research project seeks to examine the impact that intense tropical storms have on coral reef communities in the Caribbean. Since we will be diving extensively in San Salvador, I have chosen to use this opportunity to utilize the island's recent hurricane events (Bertha & Lili in 1996; Floyd in 1999) to examine coral reef recovery rates on the island. This research will include identification of damaged or recovering coral growths, observation of their relative position given the proximity and bearing of the storm, and an attempt to assess the reef's resilience.

The following text is a synopsis of my research presentation.ÊÊ
ÊÊÊÊÊÊ
RESEARCH OUTLINE:

I. Introduction

A. Brief Synopsis of Recent San Salvador Hurricane History

1. 1996; Hurricane Bertha, Hurricane Lili

2. 1999; Hurricane Floyd

B. Hurricane Formation Process (if applicable)

C. Relevance

1. Pleistocene era Disturbance

2. Paleotempestology

a. Coral core drilling

b. Storm surge sedimentation

c. Stalagmite Evidence

3. Modern Ecological RelevanceÊ
ÊÊ
a. Differences between ancient & modern recovery rates

b. Possible indicator of the effects that global climate change may have on hurricane intensity

II. Hurricane Effects on Coral Reef Communities.

A. Direct Effects

1. What causes damage? How?

a. sedimentation, windswept waves, pre-storm surge, debris upheaval (aquatic,anthropogenic), etc.


2. What types of corals are damaged?

3. Photographic examples

B. Indirect Effects

1. Biotic Reef Inhabitants

2. Extraneous effects (chronic anthropogenic effects, disease, extirpation, extinction,diminished water quality, etc).

ÊIII. Recovery Process/AdapationsÊÊÊÊÊ

A. Recovery Rates of Various Coral Species

1. Natural recovery rate? or affected by extraneous inputs?

2. Growth Rate of Selected Species

B. Adaptations

1. Resilient Features

IV. Research Design

A. Materials/Methods

VI. WORKS CITED

AndreFouet, S. et al. ÒRevisiting Coral Reef Connectivity.Ó Coral Reefs. 21: 2002. pp 43-48.

Bayliss-smith, T.P. ÒThe Role of Hurricanes in the Development of Reef Islands, Ontong Java Atoll, Solomon Islands.Ó Geographical Journal. V. 154. Issue 3. Nov. 1988. pp. 377-391.

Cheal. A.J. ÒResponses of Coral and Fish Assemblages to a Severe but Short-lived Tropical Cyclone on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.Ó Coral Reefs 21: 2002. pp. 131-142.

Connell, J.H. ÒDisturbance and Recovery of Coral Assemblages.Ó Coral Reefs.16: 1997. Suppl. pp. S101-113.

Cornell. H.V. ÒCoral Species Richness: Ecological vs. Biogeographical Influences.Ó Coral Reefs. 19: 2000. pp. 37-49.

Edmunds, Peter J. ÒLong-term Dynamics of Coral Reefs in St. Johns, US Virgin Islands.Ó Coral Reefs. 21: 2002. pp. 357-367.

Garver, John. http://zircon.geology.union.edu/carb/hurricane/damage

Hughes, T.P. ÒCatastrophe, Phase Shifts, and Scale Degradation of a Caribbean Coral Reef.Ó Science. New series. V. 265. Issue 5178. Sept. 1994. pp. 1547-1551.

Hughes, T.P. et al. ÒMultiple Stressors on Coral Reefs: A Long-term Perspective.Ó Limnology and Oceanography. V. 44 Issue 3. Part 2. The Effects of Multiple Stressors on Freshwater and Marine Ecosystems. May 1999. pp. 932-940.

Loya, Y. ÒRecolonization of Red Sea Coral Affected by Natural Catastrophes and Man-made Perturbations.Ó Ecology. V. 57. Issue 2. March , 1976. pp.278-289.

Lugo, Ariel E.; Rogers, Caroline; and Nixon, Scott W. ÒHurricanes, Coral Reefs, and Rainforests: Resistance, Ruin, and Recovery in the Caribbean.Ó Ambio. Vol. 29, No. 2, March 2000. pp. 106-114.
Ê
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: www.nhc.noaa.gov

Perry, C.T. ÒStorm Induced Coral Rubble Deposition: Pleistocene Records of Natural Reef Distrubance and Community Response.Ó Coral Reefs. 20: 2001. pp. 171-183.

Reef Relief: www.reefrelief.org

Walker, Lawrence R. et al. ÒAn intro to Hurricanes in the Caribbean.Ó Biotropica. V. 23. Issue 4. ÊDec. 1991. pp. 313-316.

Woodley, J.D. et al. ÒHurricane AllenÕs Impact on Coral Reefs.Ó Science. New Series. V. 214. Issue 4522. Nov. 1981. pp. 749-755.Ê



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