ccre reef assessment plan

Smithsonian Institution

Caribbean Coral Reef Ecosystems (CCRE) Reef Assessment and Monitoring Plan

Carrie Bow Caye, Belize

Randi Rotjan and Peter Gawne

New England Aquarium

With key contributions from: James Dimond, Walter Flaherty, Zach Foltz, Brian Helmuth, Scott Jones, Les Kaufman, Karen Koltes, Sara Lewis, Valerie Paul, Stuart Sandin, and John Tschirky.

SMITHSONIAN CCRE REEF ASSESSMENT & MONITORING ROTJAN & GAWNE

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Executive Summary

The Carrie Bow Caye (CBC) Marine Field Station is located within the South Water Caye Marine Reserve (SWCMR), a multi-use management area that contains a Preservation Zone and Conservation Zone 1 (CZ1). Since May 2010 they have been managed as “no-take”areas, whereas the General Use Zone (GUZ) still allows permitted fishing. The reefs proximal to CBC are located within CZ1, whereas South Reef (SR), two cuts (<3km) south of CBC, is located within the GUZ (though originally within CZ1, SR was excised in a later ammendment). In May 2011, in an effort to expand physical and ecological monitoring efforts, additional permanent benthic transects and fish monitoring were established. Expanding monitoring on the CBC forereef (inside No-Take CZ1) and into the SR forereef (General Use – GUZ) will make it possible to determine the potential cascading ecological influences of management efforts supporting no-take fishing regulations in the SWCMR.

The MesoAmerican Barrier Reef is ~200 miles (~322 km) long, and is the largest barrier reef in the

Caribbean. It is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Reef structure is similar along the length, with a reef crest adjoining a high-relief spur and groove which gradually slopes to a low-relief spur and groove. These upper (USG) and lower (LSG) spur and grooves eventually slope into a 90’ (~28m) sand channel that runs parallel to the reef crest; this transition is known as the Inner Reef Slope (IRS). There is a steep reef rise from the sand channel which forms the Outer Ridge (OR), which is the last reef structure before entering blue water. Monitoring stations were established in each of these four principal reef habitats (USG, LSG, IRS, and OR) at both CBC and SR, with three 25m transects per habitat (for a total of 12 CBC and 12 SR stations). These three transects are located North, South, and Central in relation to the corresponding reef crest to their west.

Most monitoring plans measure the diversity and abundance of key reef organisms; some of the best

programs also assess biomass of benthic reef builders and fishes. We have designed our program to assess similar ecological metrics, so as to be cross-compatible with historical and simultaneous efforts elsewhere in Belize and the Atlantic Ocean. However, we have also added some innovative and critically important assessments that yield information about key ecological rates and states that are thought to contribute to reef resistance, resilience, and recovery in the face of negative impacts. Rates include the herbivorous and corallivorous grazing rates of scarids, and the herbivorous grazing rates of acanthurids. Benthic states include scleractinian coral health status (bleaching, diseased, or grazed) as well as recruitment and growth dynamics. Pelagic states include prevalence of externally visible fish diseases. Changes in benthic cover (growth, recruitment, and mortality) are measured via photoquadrats (5 per transect), which will be analyzed using Coral Point Count (CPC). Because abiotic factors play a critical role in these rates and states, we are also measuring in-situ temperature along a subset of transect sites.

This is an aggressive monitoring plan from an ecological standpoint, as a majority of the key parameters

necessary to inform complex models of reef health are included. However, with an eye towards practicality, these comprehensive assessments are achievable with only 2 divers over a 2-week period, semi-annually. This plan will enable more comprehensive ecological monitoring, and inform models of reef dynamics that will be used to generate new insights into reef community structure in response to different reserve management regimes. This study is designed to take advantage of the strengths and capabilities of the CBC marine station and produce information of vital importance to the successful management of the newly formed SWCMR.


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Contents

Executive Summary ..............................................................................................................................................2 Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................4

General Overview of the Monitoring Plan ...................................................................................................5 Monitoring Methods ............................................................................................................................................7

General fish community ...............................................................................................................................7 Herbivorous fish community ........................................................................................................................8 Scleractinian community..............................................................................................................................9 Benthic community photoquadrats .......................................................................................................... 10 Abiotic states ............................................................................................................................................ 10 Dive Outline .............................................................................................................................................. 10

Possible extensions ........................................................................................................................................... 11 Appendix 1: South Water Caye Marine Reserve Zone Rules ........................................................................... 12

General Use Zone ......................................................................................................................................... 12 Conservation Zone ........................................................................................................................................ 12 Preservation Zone ......................................................................................................................................... 13

Appendix 2: CARICOMP & other on-going assessments ................................................................................... 15 Parallel on-going assessments .................................................................................................................. 15 CARICOMP Program Overview (written by K. Koltes and J. Tschirky) ...................................................... 15 CARICOMP Protocols ................................................................................................................................ 15

Appendix 3: Examples of past assessments (not comprehensive) ................................................................... 17 Appendix 4. Key hypotheses and predictions ................................................................................................... 18


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Introduction

The Smithsonian Caribbean Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CCRE) is located on Carrie Bow Caye (CBC), a ~0.74 acre island (~2995 m2) situated at the southern end of the South Water Caye Marine Reserve (SWCMR). SWCMR covers an area of 117, 878 acres (477 km2), and is the largest marine reserve in Belize. Importantly, the SWCMR is part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System World Heritage Site, established in 1996. The reserve hosts the highest coral diversity in the region (all species), and hosts a diversity of coral reef topography along the various reef sections. The SWCMR is divided into three different zones representing varying levels of protection and use as outlined in Appendix 1. In April 2010, the CBC portion of the SWCMR was zoned “Conservation Zone 1” status (CZ1), which permits recreational use including scuba diving and snorkeling and non-extractive sports fishing.

Due to its southern location within the SWCMR, CBC is located only two cuts (<3km) away from a similar

reef (South Reef [SR]) that is not currently regulated as CZ1, and is instead zoned as “General Use” (GUZ). GUZ areas allow permitted fishing (commercial and recreational), and still experience heavy fishing pressure. However, SR (like all reefs in Belize, even those outside of reserve boundaries), must still follow domestic regulations: no trawling, and enforced fishing seasons or no-take restrictions for commercially or ecologically important species such as lobster, conch, Nassau grouper, whale sharks, herbivores (scarids and acanthurids), sea turtles, shrimp, and bonefish.

The MesoAmerican Barrier Reef is ~200 miles (~322 km) long, and is the largest barrier reef in the Caribbean. Reef structure is similar along the length, and this classic barrier reef structure (described by Ruetzler and McIntyre, 1982), enables comparisons across similar habitats along the reef. To assess the ecological response to Conservation Zone 1 use management and the overall health of the barrier reef surrounding CBC, 24 permanent monitoring sites were established in May 2011. These include 12 sites at CBC (inside of the SWCMR CZ1) and 12 sites at SR (outside CZ1).

The CCRE research program has been running for 37 years; as such, many data sets have been collected over

the years that provide a historical perspective of these reefs and their trajectory. These new permanent benthic transects and fish surveys are intended to provide new and comparative data that are complimentary with related, on-going monitoring projects at CBC, most notably CARICOMP (see Appendix 2) as well as previous projects (Appendix 3). These transects and surveys are also intended to be used to generate and test key hypotheses surrounding reef health (Appendix 4), in addition to the main question of assessing ecological differences (by various metrics) inside and outside of the SWCMR CZ1. As such, a model of reef dynamics will accompany these empirical data, and used to test assumptions regarding reef resistance, resilience, and recovery over time.


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General Overview of the Monitoring Plan

In May 2011, permanent transects (N = 24) were established; 12 inside the SWCMR CZ1 (Carrie Bow Caye [CBC]) and 12 outside CZ1 but within the General Use Zone (South Reef [SR]). At each reef, three transects were established per habitat (4 habitats total). These habitats are similar between CBC and SR, with corresponding depths as well.

All along the MesoAmerican Barrier Reef, the forereef structure starts with a reef crest adjoining a high-

relief spur and groove which gradually slopes to a low-relief spur and groove. These upper (USG) and lower (LSG) spur and grooves eventually slope into a 90’ (~28m) sand channel that runs parallel to the reef crest; this transition is known as the Inner Reef Slope (IRS). There is a steep reef rise from the sand channel which forms the Outer Ridge (OR), which is the last reef structure before entering blue water. The four habitats per reef are thus the USG, LSG, IRS, and OR, corresponding to ~5, 10, 15, and 20m, respectively.

Transect sites were chosen

to have 3 replicates per reef habitat (USG, LSG, IRS, and OR), referred to as “North, Central, or South” [N,C,S]. Specific locations were chosen based on reef topography; sites were chosen that were reflective of the general area. It should be noted that two of the CBC “South” sites appear to be located within the GUZ; while technically correct, enforcement of those sites is likely to be as CZ1, since enforcement will stop at the channel between CBC and Curlew Caye.

Figure 1. Map showing the specific permanent monitoring transect site locations behind CBC (in CZ1) and SR (in GUZ). Map reflects the most recent proposed amendments to the SWCMR Management Plan. Map created by B. Wikgren.


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Table 1. Permanent transect sites, established May 2011. CBC is inside CZ1; SR is outside. Each reef has three replicates per habitat, located north (N), south (S), or central (C ) relative to the reef crest. Compass headings indicate underwater direction from the anchor. Tag placements indicate distance from starting block for each transect.

Reef

Habitat

Depth N,S,C

GPS

Compass

Tag Placement (m)

CBC USG 5m N N 16 48.236', W 088 04.744' 60o 1, 4.3, 9.5, 15, 20.4

CBC USG 5 S N 16 48.064', W 088 04.814' 85o 1, 6.5, 10.8, 11.7, 19.8

CBC USG 5 C N 16 48.120’, W 088 04.751’ 80 o

1.5, 8.6, 16.5, 22, 25.1

SR USG 5 N N 16 46.756', W 088 04.637' 90o 0.8, 4.4, 7.8, 15.6, 20.5

SR USG 5 S N 16 46.305', W 088 04.547' 60o 1.6, 5.4, 10.3, 16.2, 20.2

SR USG 5 C N 16 46.555', W 088 04.592’ 260o 1.2, 8.4, 13.2, 19.2, 24.7

CBC LSG 10 N N 16 48.244', W 088 04.738' 80o 0.8, 5.4, 10, 19.9, 25

CBC LSG 10 S N 16 47.983', W 088 04.718' 120o 1, 9.5, 14.5, 19.8

CBC LSG 10 C N 16 48.126', W 088 04.729' 100o 1.2, 5.6, 11.3, 15.4, 21.3

SR LSG 10 N N 16 46.792', W 088 04.599' 50o 1, 4, 7.6, 11.4, 17.9, 21.7

SR LSG 10 S N 16 46.297', W 088 04.519' 180o 2.6, 7.9, 13.5, 20.2

SR LSG 10 C N 16 46.571', W 088 04.524' 120o 1, 4.5, 9.1, 12.7, 18.4, 22.2

CBC IRS 15 N N 16 48.294', W 088 04.666' 50o 2.4, 5.8, 11.4, 16, 21.3

CBC IRS 15 S N 16 47.939', W 088 04.656' 330o n/a

CBC IRS 15 C N 16 48.146’, W 088 04.658’ 300 o 2.2, 7.3, 12.9, 19.7, 25.0

SR IRS 15 N N 16.46.821’, W 088 04.521’ n/a 1.6, 9.8, 15.6, 24.6

SR IRS 15 S N 16 46.289', W 088 04.479’ 0 o

1, 4.5, 9.7, 14.7, 18.8

SR IRS 15 C N 16 46.579', W 088 04.488' 180 o

1, 5.3, 9.5, 16.7, 24.3

CBC OR 20 N N 16 48.315’, W 088 04.667’ 10 o

1, 6.7, 14.3, 20.7, 24.3

CBC OR 20 S N 16 47.868', W 088 04.644' 0o 1.4, 8.2, 25

CBC OR 20 C N 16 48.145’, W 088 04.620’ 200 o

0.8, 5.9, 8.7, 17.8, 25

SR OR 20 N N 16 46.798', W 088 04.511' 350 o

0.9, 8.1, 15.8, 18.8, 24.3

SR OR 20 S N 16 46.297', W 088 04.451' 30o 1.6, 4.5, 7.1, 14.2, 21.5

SR OR 20 C N 16 46.579', W 088 04.488' 350 o

0.9, 8.1, 15.8, 18.8, 24.3


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Monitoring Methods

General fish community

Fish communities are quantitatively assessed at 4 habitats (USG, LSG, IRS, and OR) along the forereef of CBC and SR, using a series of three permanent 25m belt transects. There are ~130 target species of fish that will be regularly surveyed; thus, any of those not observed can be truly considered “absent”. Additional off-list fish sightings may be written in by a diver to augment the “present” list, either in the quantitative or qualitative assessments. Target fish species were chosen to represent a diversity of trophic modes (herbivores, planktivores, carnivores, detritivores), and were chosen because they are common, ecologically important, or commercially important. Ecologically relevant invasive species (Pterois) are also included. A full list and sample data sheet can be seen in Appendix A.

Quantitative Data: These methods were adopted from a protocol shared with us by the Sandin Lab (Scripps),

and from previous fish assessments at CBC (Lewis and Wainwright 1985, Rotjan and Lewis 2004). While laying out a transect line, a diver examines a 4m x 25 m swath of substrate for density, species identification, and size of all fish on the list (~130 species), writing in any other sighted species as appropriate. The first pass will assess fish >20cm total length (TL). These larger fish will be counted in a moving window approximately 4-8m ahead of the diver, thereby constraining the spatio-temporal window of potential observations and limiting over-counting of highly mobile fish. The speed of the swim will be controlled, taking approximately 5 min. Upon completion of the ‘large-fish’ swim, the diver will turn around and return along the same transect line, this time counting the density, species identification, and size of all fish <20cm TL in the same 4m swath. During the return swim (~10 min), the diver will stop three times to estimate the number of fish, species identification, and approximate size classes of fish in the water column above the larger 25m x 4m transect. Because of the high mobility of mid-water fish, these repeated scan samples are necessary, and the average of the three counts will serve as the estimate of these fish for the total large-fish transect. In sum, in each habitat, small, large, and mid-water fish will be quantitatively assessed in 100m2 of reef per transect (25m x 4m width). Fish size (both large and small) is assessed in 5cm TL bins beginning at 5cm TL. Size, along with identity and abundance, will be used to estimate fish density and biomass. Biomass of fish will be estimated using published length-mass conversions for each species or, when data are not available, similarly shaped congeners or from the same family.

Qualitative Data: Upon completion of the quantitative swims, the diver will then roam a 20m area

surrounding the transect line (20 x 25 m) for ~20 min and note the presence of any fishes in the area not yet observed in the quantitative transect. These qualitative “presence” data will be used to assess fish species richness a total area of 500m2 (see figure below for transect design).

Fish Conditional “State”: Along both swims, fish with visible disease lesions will be noted as “diseased”, and

their species and size noted. The fish assessment portion of each dive is anticipated to take ~35 min, not including descent and safety

stop, or the other dive responsibilities detailed below (photoquadrats and herbivory rate assay).


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Herbivorous fish community

The diversity, abundance, and biomass of herbivorous fishes (namely scarids, acanthurids, kyphosids, and pomacentrids) will be assessed on the quantitative fish transects (see fish data sheets). However, these measures do not adequately measure grazing rate, which is a contextual measure that can change based on benthic community composition, preferred algal quantity, preferred algal quality, fish metabolism, and a variety of other factors. Herbivore density and biomass is often assumed to directly represent algal consumption rates, without regard to these factors. To monitor herbivore grazing rates (and to test whether grazing rates match herbivore community composition consistently over time), we will conduct a mini-experiment during each transect. The three main groups of herbivores on the MesoAmerican Barrier Reef are scarids, acanthurids, and kypohsids. Kyphosids are highly mobile and rare; thus we will assess the grazing rates of scarids and acanthurids by deploying specimens of seagrass (Thalassia testudinum) preferred by scarids and algae (Acanthophora spicifera) preferred by acanthurids. Specimens (n=10 each) will be placed near the transect origin at the start of each dive. Caged controls (n = 3 per algal species) will also be deployed. At the end of the dive, they will be picked up and the duration of deployment recorded. Prior to deployment, and again after retrieval, specimens will be spun dry with a salad spinner and weighed to determine their mass. Calculations of biomass removed (g) will be made, and normalized to time deployed, yielding a grazing rate. This method is a modification of Lewis and Wainwright (1985, JEMBE); assays have been adopted to fit the time frame of transects, and field tests have confirmed partial consumption of specimens during a ~1 hour dive period. These specimens will be deployed and retrieved by the diver assessing Fishes, and should take approximately 10 minutes of dive time total.

Figure 3. Herbivory assay deployed with exposed (L) and caged (R ) Thalassia testudinum specimens. Photo by W. Flaherty.

Figure 2. Fish assessment schematic showing the quantitative (25 x 4 m) and qualitative (20 x 25m) areas along a 25-m transect.


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Scleractinian community

As with the fish communities, coral communities are quantitatively assessed at 4 habitats (USG, LSG, IRS, and OR) along the forereef of CBC and SR, a series of three permanent 25m belt transects. There are ~35 target corals that will be regularly surveyed; thus, any of those not observed can be truly considered “absent”. Additional off-list coral sightings may be written in by a diver to augment the “present” list. Target coral species were chosen to represent the common species in the region; genus-level identifications were used in a few cases so as to enable ecologically relevant quantification without expert-level taxonomic knowledge (especially for small colonies <5cm). Species were chosen because they are key reef builders, common, and/or ecologically important. A full list and sample data sheet can be seen in Appendix B.

All scleractinian coral assessments are quantitative, and each coral is recorded by size class in bins of: <5cm,

5-10, 10-20, 20-40, 40-80, >>. A diver swims along the same 25 m transect as above (Fish), and measures every scleractinian within a 1 m belt (25 m2 area); corals that are only partially within the belt are still included. To estimate belt area, a diver will carry a 1-m PVC stick and will hold it perpendicular to the transect line, thus ensuring a 1-m belt. To facilitate size class estimation, the PVC stick will be marked into the bin categories (as above), and can be used to estimate the maximum diameter (within bin) of each coral encountered. The diver will take care to search for even small colonies (but not new recruits), searching for juveniles amidst the available structure in the belt. Because of the careful exploration and size quantification of colonies, the coral assessment portion of each dive is expected to last about 40 min, not including descent, safety stop, or other responsibilities (coral condition or corallivory rate assessments, detailed below).

Coral Conditional “State”: Along the transect, colonies with stress symptoms will be categorized as bleached,

diseased, grazed, or “other” (as appropriate). Recognizing that distinguish cause of visible paling is difficult, coral assessment divers will be trained by R. Rotjan to a satisfactory level of proficiency. It should be noted, however, that disease type will not be categorized – merely broad conditional state on a colony-level. This information will be gathered by the diver conducting coral assessments, and is not expected to add extra dive time.

Coral growth “Rate”: Coral growth will be assessed in multiple ways (see Benthic Community, below), but a

crude measure of recruitment rate can be calculated from the number of juveniles (colonies <5cm) reported in each transect. A rough estimate of juveniles will be categorized separately from adults in transect analysis in order to calculate relative recruitment rate over time. It should be acknowledged, however, that not all corals less than 5 cm are juveniles; some are fragments of adult corals, or remnants of an adult colony that has died. The diver should try to estimate juvenile versus not whenever possible. This information will be gathered by the diver conducting coral assessments, and is not expected to add extra dive time.

Corallivory “Rate”: Corallivory is increasingly recognized as a biotic stressor with the potential to cause

partial or total colony mortality. Though typically not a major driver of coral communities on healthy reefs, corallivory may be an important ecological consideration for reefs in a compromised condition. Scarids are often specially considered for protection in MPA’s due to their important roles as reef herbivores, however, some Caribbean scarids also consume live coral. Corallivory rates will be indirectly determined by counting grazing

Figure 4. Coral assessment schematic showing the quantitative (25 x 1 m) belt transect.


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scars on corals located within the 25x1m transect. For any grazed coral with 6 or more grazing scars (denoted as such to exclude tasting), colony max length and max width will be measured with a flexible ruler, the number of bites counted, and bite size estimated. These measurements can be used in calculation of grazing incidence (number of colonies grazed) and grazing intensity (coral tissue area removed). Grazing scars will also be scored as either fresh or recovering, which will yield insights into the dynamics of chronic grazing per colony. This information will be gathered by the diver conducting coral assessments, and dive time allocated will depend on the number of colonies grazed (ranging from 0 to 10 minutes dive time allotted). This method is adopted from Rotjan and Lewis (2006, JEMBE).

Benthic community photoquadrats

Though scleractinian corals will be monitored in great detail, the benthic community of the MesoAmerican Barrier Reef is comprised of a diverse assemblage of organisms in addition to hard corals, including gorgonian and soft corals, sponges, algae, and other cnidarians (e.g. zooanthids, hydroids, and anemones). These important members of the benthic community are often overlooked due to lack of taxonomic expertise, difficulty in assigning “quick and dirty” biomass measurements, and other factors. To assess the complex and diverse benthic community over time, a diver will submerge a photoquadrat frame and take 5 high quality photographs at a fixed distance parallel to the substrate. Photographs will be taken along the transect, along the opposite side of detailed coral assessment, and will be taken every 5 meters. Photos will be analyzed using Coral Point Count software (CPC) to determine benthic composition, percent cover by category, and relative condition (obvious disease or other stressors). Mobile benthic invertebrates captured on camera will also be documented for future reference. These quadrats will also be used to assess growth and recruitment rates of benthic organisms, since the same individuals will be repeatedly photographed over time.

Photoquadrat area = 51.5” x 51.5” (1.31m x 1.31m).

Abiotic states

There are many abiotic and water chemistry factors that contribute to reef health including temperature, salinity, pH, and chlorophyll a. This monitoring program will benefit from opportunistic measurements made by other researchers at CBC. Nonetheless, it is becoming clear that sea surface temperature (SST) is not sufficient as a metric to determine temperatures along the barrier reef (Helmuth, personal communication), and temperature is considered one of the key drivers of coral health. Thus, as part of the monitoring plan, dives on the CBC forereef (S) will spatially align with a series of benthic, in-situ temperature loggers (HOBO), owned by Helmuth and maintained for the past decade by Helmuth and Rotjan. Though by no means comprehensive for all of the sites, this single array of loggers should provide valuable insight into abiotic drivers of biotic change.

Dive Outline

Two divers (1 diver with fish ID expertise and 1 diver with coral ID expertise) descend with the following tools: transect tape, marked PVC meter stick, photoquadrat frame, camera, herbivory rate assay, clipboards with data sheets and pencils.

Immediately upon descent, the “coral” diver (CD) will deploy the herbivory rate assay, and the “fish” diver (FD) will deploy the transect line (25m) following the compass directions and marked benthic tags. If necessary, a diver will secure the anchor prior to any transect work. CD will then start measuring corals along a 25x1m belt; FD will start measuring fish (25x4m belt), followed by a 20x25m belt. FD will then take photoquadrat photos and do any tag maintenance. If applicable, FD will also replace a temperature logger. At the end of the dive, FD will


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retrieve the herbivory rate assay while CD retrieves the transect tape. Both will retrieve the various materials, do a safety stop, and ascend safely to the surface.

This method has already been field tested at CBC and SR during permanent transect installation (May 2011) and has proven do-able, safe, and successful. This method is designed such that all 24 sites can be comprehensively examined by two divers in 2 weeks, or 4 divers in 1 week (weather-depending). The proposed plan is to conduct one Spring sampling (RR & PG), and one Fall sampling (SJ & ZF).

Possible extensions

There are some gaps in the plan that could be addressed by adding additional dependent variables and assessments in future years. They were not included in this study design in order to maximize the practicality of approach, but could easily be added (even opportunistically) if time/personnel allowed at any given sampling opportunity. These include:

More comprehensive monitoring of abiotic and microbial states, including rigorous measurement of water quality, particulates, and bacterial communities (culturable and not).

Adding night dives to assess nocturnal species, including ecologically relevant players (e.g. Diadema urchins) and important fisheries species (e.g. lobster).

Assessing other commercially important species (e.g. conch) into the monitoring plan (currently assessed by the Belize Fisheries Office).

Additional photoquadrats to give a more comprehensive picture of gorgonians, sponges, and other benthic cover.

Add another series of sights that are fully outside of the SWCMR (further down on SR), which is further from CBC, but would be an informative addition.

Inclusion of Dictyota spp. and Lobophora spp. into the herbivory rate experimental surveys.


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Appendix 1: South Water Caye Marine Reserve Zone Rules

(obtained from www.swcmr.org)

The reserve has designated zones designed to accommodate visitors and fishing activities in combination with a conservation zone and preservation zone to promote sustainability and research.

General Use Zone

The General Use Zone is restricted to fishing by licensed fisherman who currently use this Zone and a fisherman who is desirous of fishing in this Zone shall apply for a license to fish in accordance with these Regulations.

Residents of South Water Caye Marine Reserve who have special licenses to fish may fish solely for subsistence purposes, and such fishing shall be determined by the terms and conditions of each resident's license.

No person is permitted to use long lines, spear–guns or gill nets in the Reserve unless authorized by the Fisheries Administrator.

Sport Fishing is allowed in the General Use Zone only in accordance with the following

o spear fishing is not permitted;

o catch and release fishing tours can only remove fish for subsistence purposes during the tour.

No person shall, within the General Use Zone, cast or drag any anchor in any manner which may damage coral.

Conservation Zone

There shall be only non–extractive recreational activities in the Conservation Zone.

No person shall engage in commercial, sport or subsistence fishing within the Conservation 1 Zone.

No person shall secure a boat to the sea bed of the Conservation 1 Zone except by means of a mooring that is officially designated for this purpose, save in the case of an emergency where life and property are endangered, or with the prior written permission of the Reserve Manager.

Every diver in the conservational 1 Zone shall adhere to the following rules

o divers shall register with the Reserve Manager prior to entering the Conservational 1 Zone;

o charter dives shall first obtain a license in accordance with these Regulations, before operating in the Conservation 1 Zone and all dive boats shall fly the "divers down flag" when they have divers in the water;

o only certified scuba divers, or divers undergoing a training course conducted by a recognized instructor, are allowed to use scuba equipment in the Reserve;

o dive guides are required to explain the rules of the Reserve to a diver within the Reserve;


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o every boat owner desirous of operating a boat in this Zone, shall first register his boat with the Fisheries Administrator in accordance with these Regulations;

o every operator of a motor boat shall observe the low wake Zone boat way when approaching snorkelers or divers;

o for Scuba tours, a maximum of eight divers per licensed dive master is permitted;

o for snorkel tours, a maximum of eight snorkelers per licensed tour guide is permitted;

o no person shall harass or in any way tamper with the any fauna within the Conservation 1 Zone.

For the purpose of this Regulation, "divers down flag" means a flag with a white diagonal strip upon a red or blue background.

No person shall engage in water–skiing or jet skiing within the conservation Zone

Preservation Zone

No fishing, sport fishing, diving or any other water activity shall be permitted within the Preservation Zone

No person shall operate a motor boat within the Preservation Zone except in cases of emergency, or where written permission has first been obtained from the Fisheries Administrator.


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Appendix 2: CARICOMP & other on-going assessments

Parallel on-going assessments

(1) Tom Opishinski has a long-term, surface-based weather station at CBC that measures precipitation,

cloud cover, temperature, barometric pressure, and a number of other meteorological variables. Detailed methodology is available:

Koltes and Opishinsku (Smith Contr Mar Sci, 2009)

By contacting T. Opishinski. (2) Karen Koltes and John Tschirky have been conducting biological, meteorological and oceanographic

assessments at CBC since 1993 as part of the regional CARICOMP program. Before setting up this long-term monitoring plan at CBC, we consulted with J. Tschirky in order to enable complementary monitoring, and so as to not duplicate efforts unnecessarily. Detailed methodology of CARICOMP protocols are available:

www.unesco.org/csi/pub/papers/koltes.htm

Alcoldao et al (Bull Mar Sci 2001)

By contacting K. Koltes and J. Tschirky

CARICOMP Program Overview (written by K. Koltes and J. Tschirky)

The Caribbean Coastal Marine Productivity (CARICOMP) program was launched in 1990 as a regional scientific effort to study land-sea interaction processes; to monitor for change on a local and regional scale and distinguish anthropogenic change from natural variation; and to provide appropriate scientific information for management (Kjerfve et al., 1999; http://www.ccdc.org.jm/frontpage.html). The network consists of scientists and resource managers from marine laboratories, parks and reserves across the wider Caribbean region. Institutes participate under an MOU and follow monitoring protocols outlined in the CARICOMP Methods Manual (http://www.ima.gov.tt/home/images/stories/caricomp_manual_2001.pdf). Standardized, synoptic measurements are taken in the three primary Caribbean coastal ecosystems of mangroves, seagrasses and coral reefs together with relevant oceanographic and meteorological measurements. Data collection began at participating sites, including Carrie Bow Cay, in 1993.

By the early 2000’s, 27 institutions in 17 countries were participating in the CARICOMP network. A Data

Management Centre (DMC), established at the University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, at the beginning of the program, was providing storage and preliminary analysis of CARICOMP data. Lack of funding over the past few years resulted in the closure of the DMC. An effort to summarize the first 15 years of region-wide data collection is underway with the University of Costa Rica, one of the principal CARICOMP members.

CARICOMP Protocols

Coral Reefs

Two sites each consisting of 5 permanent 10-m transects oriented north to south were established in 1993 approximately 100 m apart on the inner forereef (depth = 10-13 m) seaward of CBC. Transects are monitored annually using the chain method: the substrate under each chain link is recorded to species and category (e.g., fleshy algae, massive coral, sand, etc.) allowing for estimates of relative cover and diversity and reef rugosity. Octocorals that intersect the transect chain and urchins in a 1-m belt centered over the transect are also

http://www.unesco.org/csi/pub/papers/koltes.htm

http://www.ccdc.org.jm/frontpage.html


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identified and counted to estimate population trends. Photographs of the substrate at 1, 5, and 9 m stops along the transects also have been taken and archived since about 2000.

Seagrasses

Seagrass productivity (standing crop and biomass), growth rates and leaf area index are monitored at two permanent plots established in the seagrass beds approximately 100 m east of Twin Cays (depth = 1.2 m) and about 100 m southwest of Carrie Bow Cay (depth = 2.0 m). Twin Cays was established in what was judged to be a "high productivity" area while Carrie Bow Cay was established in a "representative" or "average" area. Measurements are recorded semi-annually to annually.

Mangroves

The CARICOMP protocols included a mangrove productivity component. In 1993-1998, three 10x10 m permanent plots were established along a transect in the Rhizophora mangrove forest parallel to the shoreline on the windward (east) side of Twin Cays. Five 1-m2 sub-plots were randomly established within each 100 m2 plot. The sub-plots were mapped and each tree identified and measured for DBH and height annually. Litter traps were also deployed and monitored monthly for a full year and thereafter at established high and low seasons to characterize aerial productivity. Additionally, four 10x10 m forest plots were established perpendicular to shore behind the Rhizophora fringe. These forest plots also contained five randomly established 1-m2 sub-plots in each and contained litter traps as described above. Unfortunately the mangrove plots were completely destroyed on several occasions by theft and/or vandalism and eventually the entire forest was clear cut by a Dangrigan interested in the island’s development potential.

Physical Measurements

Meteorological and oceanographic measurements under the CARICOMP program include daily measurement of precipitation and min/max air temperature at Carrie Bow Cay and weekly measurement of surface water temperature and salinity in the lagoon and in the ocean seaward of the drop-off. Bottom water temperatures have been recorded continuously at intervals of 15 - 48 min at the permanent CARICOMP monitoring sites in the lagoon (1.5m), in the seagrass beds adjacent to Carrie Bow Cay (2m), on the inner fore-reef (12 m) since 1993 and on the outer forereef (44m) since 2007. Water transparency has been measured by Secchi disk as horizontal distance taken 0.5 m below the surface in the lagoon and vertical distance at the drop-off. To more accurately characterize water quality trends, in 2002 Secchi disk measurements were increased to twice weekly and light intensity loggers were deployed at the permanent CARICOMP monitoring site (13m) on the inner fore-reef. In 2010, work began on a prototype for monitoring currents on the forereef and in the channel south of CBC.


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Appendix 3: Examples of past assessments (not comprehensive)

(1) Ruetzler and McIntyre published the results of the 1982 transect across Carrie Bow in the classic text: “The Atlantic Barrier Reef Ecosystem at Carrie Bow Cay, Belize, I: Structure and Communities”, published by the Smithsonian Institution Press. This transect remains the most comprehensive assessment to-date, including detailed benthic maps and geologic structure.

(2) In 1982, Sara Lewis and Peter Wainwright conducted a thorough study of herbivory (herbivore abundance and grazing rates of scarids, acanthurids, and kyphosids) on the Belizean Barrier Reef associated with Carrie Bow Caye (CBC). This study had two major components: (1) assessment of herbivore density in 6 habitats: the CBC backreef, the lagoonal Thalassia beds, the high spur and groove, the low spur and groove, the inner reef slope, and the outer ridge (described by Rutzler and Macintyre 1982), and (2) Grazing intensity, as measured by the removal of algal biomass in each of the above habitats. This work resulted in a manuscript (Lewis and Wainwright 1985, JEMBE).

(3) In 1992, Rich Aronson and Bill Precht conducted some video transects on the CBC forereef. Some of these

data were incorporated into a publication (Aronson et al. 1994, Atoll Research Bulletin). Specifically, CBC coral cover, coral diversity, and coral species richness were included, as was macroalgal cover and selected fish abundance (parrotfish and damselfish).

(4) In 2004, Randi Rotjan and Sara Lewis conducted a thorough study of corallivory (scarid corallivore abundance and grazing rates) on the CBC Reef cut. This study followed the methods of Lewis and Wainwright (1985), but focused on (1) abundance of corallivorous parrotfishes and (2) their associated coral prey (measuring corallivory incidence and intensity). Transects were similarly conducted in the same 6 CBC habitats, with the same number of replicates. Since parrotfishes are both herbivores and corallivores, their abundance was compared between 1982 and 2004 surveys. This work resulted in a manuscript (Rotjan and Lewis 2006, JEMBE).

(5) In 2010, Randi Rotjan and Peter Gawne conducted transects across the same 6 CBC habitats, following similar methods to both studies above (transect length and replication). However, transects were expanded to assess all herbivorous and corallivorous fishes, as well as key carnivorous and planktivorous fishes. Along the same transects, scleractinian community structure was assessed and expanded to include all corals (mostly to species-level identification), and general coral health status (bleaching, diseased, or grazed). These surveys simultaneously coincided with the beginning of the Southwater Caye marine reserve no-take zone enforcement (CZ1). Such serendipitous timing has enabled a baseline transect, representing the baseline values (theoretically) of the lowest fish abundances.

(6) For the past decade, Brian Helmuth, Jim Leichter, and Randi Rotjan have been maintaining a series of

submerged temperature loggers at each of the 6 CBC habitats mentioned above. These loggers have been maintained independently of the transects.

(7) There are undoubtedly other assessments, which can be found by searching the CBC literature; currently

1972-2010 are compiled and displayed on the CBC CCRE website: http://www.ccre.si.edu/report.html


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Appendix 4. Key hypotheses and predictions

An on-island brainstorming session was held in May 2011 to lay out key hypotheses and predictions that can (should) be tested with the data collected in this monitoring program. Some of these will be answered by R. Rotjan, as they are a direct extension of her research. Others should be analyzed by others (SI or other), but prior to analysis, an open communication policy is requested to avoid duplication of effort.

ccre reef assessment plan

Documents

preservation zone

conservation zone

general use zone guz

general fish community

south reef sr

monitoring methods

general overview

scleractinian community