Population Dynamics of Branching Corals Pocillopora spp. in Devil's Crown, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Abstract
Corals in the genus Pocillopora (e.g. P. elegans and P. damicornis) are important reef constructors in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Pocillopora spp. are also susceptible to bleaching and mortality from temperature shifts associated with El Niño-Southern Oscillation events, affecting their contribution to benthic community structure. Colony numbers and live tissue surface area have been monitored at Devil’s Crown, Galápagos Islands for the past 36 years (1983–2017). This project quantifies the data collected in 2017, in preparation for another site visit in May 2019. In previous analyses, colony numbers ranged from 0 (1983–1995) to a maximum of 154 colonies in 2007. A decrease to 11 colonies occurred in 2009 followed by a small increase to 20 in 2011. Live tissue area ranged from 0 cm2 (1983– 1995) to a maximum of 37,772 cm2 in 2007. This project quantifies numbers and cover from the next data set obtained in 2017 following a 6-year hiatus. Preliminary analysis suggests 1) more than an eightfold increase in the colony count from 2011, and 2) an approximately 150% increase in live tissue area from 2007, formerly the highest year in terms of cover. Variations in colony counts and live tissue area will be correlated with in situ sea water temperature data to better elucidate this important dynamic. This research continues the long-term data set on Pocillopora resilience and recovery, providing a view into changing conditions for corals and insight on ways to promote survivorship in the years to come.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Joshua Feingold
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Shermany Library
Start Date
4-5-2019 1:00 PM
End Date
4-5-2019 5:00 PM
Population Dynamics of Branching Corals Pocillopora spp. in Devil's Crown, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Alvin Shermany Library
Corals in the genus Pocillopora (e.g. P. elegans and P. damicornis) are important reef constructors in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Pocillopora spp. are also susceptible to bleaching and mortality from temperature shifts associated with El Niño-Southern Oscillation events, affecting their contribution to benthic community structure. Colony numbers and live tissue surface area have been monitored at Devil’s Crown, Galápagos Islands for the past 36 years (1983–2017). This project quantifies the data collected in 2017, in preparation for another site visit in May 2019. In previous analyses, colony numbers ranged from 0 (1983–1995) to a maximum of 154 colonies in 2007. A decrease to 11 colonies occurred in 2009 followed by a small increase to 20 in 2011. Live tissue area ranged from 0 cm2 (1983– 1995) to a maximum of 37,772 cm2 in 2007. This project quantifies numbers and cover from the next data set obtained in 2017 following a 6-year hiatus. Preliminary analysis suggests 1) more than an eightfold increase in the colony count from 2011, and 2) an approximately 150% increase in live tissue area from 2007, formerly the highest year in terms of cover. Variations in colony counts and live tissue area will be correlated with in situ sea water temperature data to better elucidate this important dynamic. This research continues the long-term data set on Pocillopora resilience and recovery, providing a view into changing conditions for corals and insight on ways to promote survivorship in the years to come.
