Corals are anemone like animals, which secrete a skeleton
and most live in colonies.
Most corals are colonial composing of hundreds of tiny
(2mm.) polyps
Each polyp has a central opening for ingestion and
excretion, surrounded by tentacles
The body cavity of the polyp is called the coelenteron.
Its functions include digestion and the circulation of fluids for respiration
are each of these coelenterons are linked.
Tentacles are used in defense and feeding. They contain
stinging cells called nematocysts
Corals are divided into two categories soft and hard. Soft corals resemble
plants, hard corals resemble rocks.
GROWTH FORMS
Colonies
exist as different growth forms
- Branching
- Columnar
- Massive
- Encrusting
- Foliaceous
- Laminar
- Free-Living
STRESSORS
Coral Reefs are being impacted by both global and anthropogenic
stressors
Global - Increased Sea Temperatures
Anthropogenic Eutrophication
Diver Damage / Tourism Pressure
Fishing pressure
Anchor damage
Coral Harvesting
CORAL HEALTH
Coral health is determined primarily by 6 factors:
Coral abundance (# of coral colonies)
Coral diversity (# different types of coral)
Turf and Macro algal abundance
Crustose coralline algae
Diadema antillarum (cobblers) abundance
REEF HEALTH
Algae form a natural part of the reef environment,
however a proliferation of such flora indicates nutrient enrichment
Crustose coralline algae are good indicators of a healthy
reef
High numbers of different coral species and a high
abundance of coral colonies are good indicators of a healthy reef
Diadema antillarum (cobblers) are important grazers
on the reef. High numbers are favorable
REEF MONITORING
37 fringing reefs and 6 bank reefs are monitored along
the south and west coasts at 5 year intervals (since 1982) 8 east coast
reefs are monitored at 5 year intervals (since 1998) These allow for
the determination of temporal trends (over time) in the health of coral
reef communities
EAST COAST SURVEY RESUTS
Surveyed in 1998 and 2003
Analysis of data for 2003 in progress
Rich and diverse assembly of hard and soft corals
Hard coral abundance ranges from 5.9% - 25.7%
Most abundant hard coral site (Lamberts's Point)
Unusual assemblages e.g Gorgonian Pavement
SUMMARY
Slight improvement in fringing reef health
Overall deterioration in bank reef health
Overall increase in macro and turf algae
Overall decrease in crustose coralline algae
FINAL WORDS
Corals are some of the most fragile yet resilient organisms on this planet
They existed on this planet before humans However, they are being impacted
by numerous stressors In order to protect this resource, we first have
to understand it.. This is the role of the Marine Research Section of
the Coastal Zone Management Unit Please help us to protect this valuable
resource
WHAT YOU CAN DO
You can start by having a look at the coral reefs ...glass bottom boat,
Atlantis submarine, snorkeling or diving
Get involved in underwater and beach clean-ups
Help us to monitor coral reefs.its easy and lots of fun!
Colonies
exist as different growth forms
