Studies on coral community structure and damage as a basis for zoning marine reserves

doi:10.1016/0006-3207(95)00138-7

Biological Conservation

Volume 77, Issues 2–3, 1996, Pages 269-277

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3207(95)00138-7 Get rights and content

Abstract

The analysis of coral community structure and diversity by means of line transects provides a powerful tool for reef management. In South Africa, this approach was used to develop a zoning scheme for the Maputaland and St Lucia Marine Reserves. Coral communitiés differed between reefs. Shallow reefs were dominated by Alcyonacea of the genera Lobophytum and Sinularia. Tissue regeneration experiments suggested that these corals were able to survive lesions, which can be inflicted, for example, by careless divers or by anchoring, so no special protection was considered necessary. Deep reefs were dominated by Scleractinia of the genus Acropora. Monitoring of breakage and fragment survival experiments indicated that the dominant species in this community were easily damaged and therefore special protection is needed. Sanctuary areas are proposed in diverse upstream reefs to serve as larval reservoirs in case degeneration occurs downstream.

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View full text

Studies on coral community structure and damage as a basis for zoning marine reserves

Abstract

Sediment. Geol.

Biol. Conserv.

Trends Ecol. Evol.

Biol. Conserv.

Coral diseases in the Indo-Pacific: a first record

PSZNI Mar. Ecol.

Range to reef

Coral-reef management

Biology and the mechanics of the wave-swept environment

Multivariate analysis of ecological communities

Complementary management of marine parks and island national parks in the Great Barrier Reef region

A zoogeographic and functional approach to the selection of marine reserves on the west coast of South Africa

Sexual reproduction, development and larval biology in scleractinian corals

A review

Coral Reefs

Currents in the Lizard Island region of the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon and their relevance to potential movement of larvae

Coral Reefs

Cairns zoning plan review: issues

Reproduction, dispersal and recruitment of scleractinian corals

Coral reefs in the Leeuwin Current-an ecological perspective

J. R. Soc. West. Australia

Effects of recreational diving on coral reefs

Trampling of reef-flat communities

J. Appl. Ecol.

The growth of coastal tourism in the Red Sea: present and possible future effects on coral reefs