Submission Type
Poster
Abstract
Corals throughout the Caribbean have been declining in abundance for the past three decades, yet one stony coral species commonly known as Mustard Hill (Porites astreoides) has become more dominant. However, a recent study conducted in the Virgin Islands showed that Mustard Hill coral populations have declined. Our research team studied corals in previously surveyed reefs around San Salvador Island, The Bahamas, to determine the trajectory of Mustard Hill populations. Specifically, we wanted to know if the populations had changed since they were last studied in 2019. Data on coral species abundance and percent cover were collected at both Rocky Point and Telephone Poles patch reefs by photographing sections of 10 meter transect lines. Image analysis of percent cover using ImageJ software is underway. Our initial observations point toward a decline in Mustard Hill abundance, possibly due to the effect of widespread disease in these populations. However, other coral species may be experiencing similar losses. Once the results of our surveys are processed and analyzed, we will be able to compare our numbers to those in previous studies conducted to see how Mustard Hill populations are changing.
Recommended Citation
Cawley, Michaela, "252-Long-Term Trends in Dominance of Mustard Hill Coral in San Salvador Reefs" (2024). GREAT Day Posters. 72.
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/great-day-symposium/great-day-2024/posters-2024/72
252-Long-Term Trends in Dominance of Mustard Hill Coral in San Salvador Reefs
Corals throughout the Caribbean have been declining in abundance for the past three decades, yet one stony coral species commonly known as Mustard Hill (Porites astreoides) has become more dominant. However, a recent study conducted in the Virgin Islands showed that Mustard Hill coral populations have declined. Our research team studied corals in previously surveyed reefs around San Salvador Island, The Bahamas, to determine the trajectory of Mustard Hill populations. Specifically, we wanted to know if the populations had changed since they were last studied in 2019. Data on coral species abundance and percent cover were collected at both Rocky Point and Telephone Poles patch reefs by photographing sections of 10 meter transect lines. Image analysis of percent cover using ImageJ software is underway. Our initial observations point toward a decline in Mustard Hill abundance, possibly due to the effect of widespread disease in these populations. However, other coral species may be experiencing similar losses. Once the results of our surveys are processed and analyzed, we will be able to compare our numbers to those in previous studies conducted to see how Mustard Hill populations are changing.