Abstract
Aggregations of the branching reef-building coral Pocillopora damicornis, located in the Concha y Perla lagoon on Isabela Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, were surveyed in the summer of 2012. This undescribed Pocillopora community is now unique in the archipelago since all other Pocillopora accumulations have been destroyed due to impacts associated with El Niño – Southern Oscillation events. One hundred twenty-two photographic images were taken of the colonies that included approximately 95% of the total coral area. These images were analyzed using CPCe software for live and dead tissue areas as well as colony fragments. Within the surveyed area there were 579 colonies, and a total of 16.1 m2 of live coral tissue within 76 m2 of total image area. Of the total colony surface area, 85.2% was live tissue, with 12.1% being dead skeleton and 1.2% fragments. Average colony size was 326 cm2 . This community is of particular ecological value due to its unique presence in the archipelago and support of associated organisms such as fish and benthic invertebrates. Its proximity to the population center of Puerto Villamil gives this ecological oasis high touristic appeal and consequently high economic value.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Joshua Feingold
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-12-2013 1:00 PM
End Date
4-12-2013 5:30 PM
Discovery of a Branching Coral (Pocillopora damicornis) Aggregation in Concha y Perla Lagoon, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Alvin Sherman Library
Aggregations of the branching reef-building coral Pocillopora damicornis, located in the Concha y Perla lagoon on Isabela Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, were surveyed in the summer of 2012. This undescribed Pocillopora community is now unique in the archipelago since all other Pocillopora accumulations have been destroyed due to impacts associated with El Niño – Southern Oscillation events. One hundred twenty-two photographic images were taken of the colonies that included approximately 95% of the total coral area. These images were analyzed using CPCe software for live and dead tissue areas as well as colony fragments. Within the surveyed area there were 579 colonies, and a total of 16.1 m2 of live coral tissue within 76 m2 of total image area. Of the total colony surface area, 85.2% was live tissue, with 12.1% being dead skeleton and 1.2% fragments. Average colony size was 326 cm2 . This community is of particular ecological value due to its unique presence in the archipelago and support of associated organisms such as fish and benthic invertebrates. Its proximity to the population center of Puerto Villamil gives this ecological oasis high touristic appeal and consequently high economic value.
