eor training 111512
TRANSCRIPT
Eyes of the ReefEyes of the Reef
Community Reporting NetworkCommunity Reporting Network
Coral Bleaching, Disease, COTS, Coral Bleaching, Disease, COTS, and Marine Invasive Speciesand Marine Invasive Species
World Resources InstituteWorld Resources Institute20112011
Global, map-based Global, map-based analysis of threats to the analysis of threats to the world’s coral reefsworld’s coral reefs
Threats: Threats: Local: Local: overfishing, overfishing, destructive fishing, coastal destructive fishing, coastal development, pollutiondevelopment, pollution
Global: Global: climate change -> climate change -> rising ocean temperatures, rising ocean temperatures, coral bleachingcoral bleaching
75% world’s coral reefs currently threatened75% world’s coral reefs currently threatened
Threats have increased 30% in the past decade Threats have increased 30% in the past decade
•In 2002, the US Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) In 2002, the US Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) identified six management focus of nationwide threats: identified six management focus of nationwide threats:
• Coral reef fisheries Coral reef fisheries
• Land-based pollutionLand-based pollution
• Lack of public awarenessLack of public awareness
• Recreational useRecreational use
• Coral bleaching Coral bleaching
• Reef organism disease Reef organism disease
The USCRTF requested that each U.S. jurisdiction The USCRTF requested that each U.S. jurisdiction develop three-year plans, or local action strategies develop three-year plans, or local action strategies
(LAS), for each of the priority threats(LAS), for each of the priority threats
• Climate Change and Marine Disease • Aquatic Invasive Species
Address Hawaii’s need to maintain reef resources in the face of increasing
human populations and changing climatic conditions
Photo by Greta AebyPhoto by Greta Aeby
Photo by Greta AebyPhoto by Greta Aeby Photo by Greta AebyPhoto by Greta AebyPhoto by Darla WhitePhoto by Darla White
Rapid response by management agencies to events of coral bleaching, coral disease, COTS, and marine invasive species
• Requires Early Detection of these events
• Community Reporting System
Eyes of the Reef Network: Level I InvolvementEyes of the Reef Network: Level I Involvement• All ocean usersAll ocean users
• Train to spot 5 dangers to reef healthTrain to spot 5 dangers to reef health
• Watch and report!Watch and report!
•Activate a rapid response Activate a rapid response
by managementby management
•Develop a database of Develop a database of
changing reef conditionschanging reef conditions
Coral Bleaching
Coral Disease
Crown-of-Thorns Sea Stars
Marine Alien Invasive Species
Native Species Blooms
You will know how to: • Classify coral types by shape and texture• Recognize and categorize coral diseases• Differentiate between coral disease and biological
interactions• Recognize the 5 most dangerous alien invasive algae• Recognize and assess native invasive blooms• Report reef threats to the Eyes of the Reef Network
YOU WILL BE THE “EYES” ON OUR HAWAIIAN REEFS
Our Reefs: The Facts• Hawaii’s reefs are vast
– 410,000 acres, representing almost 85% of coral reefs under US protection
– Over 5,000 species, almost 25% endemic– Culturally, economically, biologically critical
Coral Reefs 101
Coral reefs Coral reefs should be considered as whole whole ecosystems.ecosystems.
The habitathabitat and associated marine life marine life are deeply interlinked!interlinked!
Coral reefs evolved in evolved in
CleanClean,,Clear,Clear,Low Low
nutrientnutrientwaterwater
•BiologyBiology•Physics Physics •ChemistryChemistry
InseparableInseparable
Coral: Coral: Animal, Animal, Plant, Plant,
or or Mineral?Mineral?
Corals as GardenersCorals as GardenersPlant: ZooxanthellaePlant: Zooxanthellae
ZooxanthellaeZooxanthellae
• Produce sugars Produce sugars (carbohydrates)(carbohydrates)
• Oxygen for the Oxygen for the coralcoral
• 90% of production 90% of production goes to coralgoes to coral
• Photosynthesis by Photosynthesis by zooxanthellae helps zooxanthellae helps corals build their corals build their skeletons, forming skeletons, forming reefsreefs
• Zooxanthellae give Zooxanthellae give corals their colorcorals their color
Coral PolypCoral Polyp
Provides a safe homeProvides a safe home
Fertilizer from wasteFertilizer from waste
Carbon DioxideCarbon Dioxide
Photos courtesy of NOAA and Dr. Greta AebyPhotos courtesy of NOAA and Dr. Greta Aeby
Coral Reef Ecology
What does a healthy reef look like?What does a healthy reef look like?
Bacteria
Virusses
Herbivores
Predators
Apex predatorsCoral
Crustose corallinealgae
Benthic algaeSlide courtesy of Dr Mark VermeijSlide courtesy of Dr Mark Vermeij
Bleaching:
loss of symbiotic algae within coral tissueleads to reduced growth, reproduction
and sometimes death
1998 1998 world-world-wide wide mass mass
bleaching bleaching 16% of 16% of
world’s world’s
reefs lostreefs lost
Understanding Coral Bleaching
Bleaching risk = regional SST + local weather
Regional temperature anomaly
+ Lack of clouds
+ Little to no wind
+ Weak currents
Understanding Coral BleachingConditions conducive to bleaching
Causes of Mass Coral Bleaching
Relationship between intensity and duration of temperature stress
Understanding Coral BleachingThresholds are a function of temperature & time
4 degree heating weeks = bleaching8 degree heating weeks = mortality
Su
nli g
ht Max light level a
coral is adaptedto handle.
Damage fromexcess light.
daily cycle
Full repair ofdaily damage.
NORMAL TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS
Roberto Iglesias, UNAM
Understanding Coral Bleaching
daily cycle
High temperaturelowers the lightthreshold.
More light damage.
Not enoughrepair, so damagebuilds up.
STRESSFUL TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS
Su
nli g
ht
Roberto Iglesias, UNAM
Understanding Coral Bleaching
Bleached coral enhances light Normal conditions: coral skeleton
scatters light to enhance the light field for the zooxanthellae
Bleaching: more light reaching the skeleton, more scattering, more enhancement of the light field
Past a tipping-point, the bleaching makes the cause of bleaching worse
Understanding Coral Bleaching
Severe stress may cause cell death directly
Starvation from chronic bleaching may occur in the long term.
Understanding Coral Bleaching
Courtesy of K. Michalek-Wagner
• Less calcification / slower growth rates• Less reproductive output• Less resistance to disease and competition
• Less calcification / slower growth rates• Less reproductive output• Less resistance to disease and competition
Photo: Andrew Baird
Understanding Coral Bleaching
Bleaching = mortality unless:• Temperatures soon drop below thresholds• Corals have good lipid reserves• Corals can feed heterotrophically
Understanding Coral BleachingPhysiology of bleaching
Photo: Masanori Nonaka
Recovery of coral populations is dependent on:▪ Growth of surviving colonies
▪ Recruitment of new corals
Recovery of coral populations is dependent on:▪ Growth of surviving colonies
▪ Recruitment of new corals
Understanding Coral Bleaching
The first mass bleaching occurred in 1996 in the main Hawaiian Islands.
A second major bleaching event occurred in 2002 centered in the northern portion of the Archipelago
Midway backreef Sept. 2002
Midway backreef July 2003
Maui - Montipora & Pocillopora:Molokini, Kapalua Bay, Makena
Landing, Maluaka, Kahakeli
Big Island – Montipora:Along West Coast
O‘ahu - Montipora:North Shore
Coral Disease
Disease: Any impairment of vital body functions, systems, or organs.
• Biotic – Causal agent a living organism
• Pathogen,such as viruses or bacteria• Parasites
• Abiotic – Causal agent an environmental stressor
• Changes in salinity, temperature, light, etc.• Exposure to toxic chemicals
Black band
Coral disease
Before 1996: 4 diseases described
2004: 29 diseases described
Aspergillosis
White pox
Yellow band
Dark spots
Black band
Florida Keys
1996-2000
# stations w/ disease: 26 -> 131# coral species w/ disease: 11 -> 36
Overall coral cover: decreased by 37%
Porter et al. (2002)
Aspergillosis
White pox
Yellow band
Dark spots
Black band
AustraliaGBR
1998-2003
# reefs w/ white syndrome: 4 -> 33avg. # cases of white syndrome/reef: 1.7 -> 47.7
Willis et al. (2004)
Lobophyllia white syndrome Acropora white syndrome
Acropora growth anomalies
Disease outbreaks across the Indo-Pacific
Coral disease in Hawaii
18 disease states widespread
low prevalence
Montipora multi-focal TLSMontipora dark band
Por trematodiasis
Poc white-band disease
Acrop white syndrome
Acrop growth anomalies
Porites growth anomalies
The first disease outbreak occurred in 2003 at French Frigate Shoals
Acropora white syndrome
May 2005
May 2006
Acropora white syndrome kills coral
Year # reefs surveyed # reefs w/ AWS
2002 6 0
2003 7 1
2004 6 3
2005 5 4
2006 9 7
AWS is spreading across FFS
Outbreak of Montipora white syndrome
Montipora white syndrome
2006
2007
Sept 200657 colonies tagged
Rate of tissue lost:~3% of colony/month
Sept 200753 colonies (93%) suffered
partial to total mortality
Case fatality rate:2006-2007=7%
2006-2008=28%
Montipora white syndrome – Acute OutbreakKaneohe Bay – 2010
Montipora white syndrome outbreak
Dr Greta Aeby & team surveyed 12 sites
198 colonies
3-22-10
4-1-10
Acute Montipora White Syndrome
April 2010 April 2011
2nd outbreak of acute MWS
Kaneohe BayDecember 2011
2012 surveys
NB
CB
SB
area 2010 2012
SB 313 1179
CB 0 23
NB 39 30
38
46
2
17 03
10
285
31
46
16386
132
239
197
MWS outbreak2012
Rapid response surveys
Outbreak of Montipora White Syndrome on Maui in 2008
Ahihi Kinau, Maui
MWS prevalence=9.5%
2008-2011
M. capitata declined from 48.5% to 27.5%
Ross et al., in press
MWS outbreak on MauiMarch 2010
Sept. 2010
EOR report
Terry Lilley March 2011
Tunnels, Kauai
EOR report: Terry Lilley Kauai, November 2012
EOR report: Terry Lilley Kauai, November 2012
EOR report: Terry Lilley Kauai, November 2012
GBR- 3 major COTS outbreaks in the past 40 years
Sept 1969-Nov 1970
Outbreak of COTS off Molokai
20,000 animals
Branham et al. 1971. Science 172(3988):1155-1157
Sept 2005
Outbreak of COTS off Oahu
1,000 animals5 min tow2,260m2
Kenyon & Aeby, in press
CRED
Naturally occurring in small numbers, but report unusually large numbers of COTS
Causes for COTS outbreaks:
- Increased nutrients lead to increased planktonic food for larvae
- Fluctuations in salinity and temperature contribute to larval survival
- Removal of natural predators
- Triton trumpets, Harlequin shrimp, stripebelly puffers
Maui’s Kihei coastlost potential revenue $20 million
OahuSmothering corals
Fish disease
Tumors in butterflyfish
severe
mild
moderate
Skin cancer in kole
• Coastal Development– Nutrient runoff
• Injection wells, cesspools, septic tanks
• Agriculture, ranching
• Fertilizing
– Sedimentation
– Pollution
Maui’s Reefs in DangerSedimentationSedimentation Invasive AlgaeInvasive Algae
Over FishingOver Fishing
Over-useOver-use
Groundings andAnchor DamageGroundings andAnchor Damage
Maui Monitoring Program
Changing weather patterns Increased sea surface temperatures
Ocean Acidification
Decreases in Coral growth and recruitment
Increases in: Coral Bleaching
Coral Disease
Climate Change + increasing anthropogenic stressors
Reefs at risk
Are Hawaii’s reefs at risk?
YES!
1. What type of coral?
2. What kind of change?
– Is there a change in color?
– Are there growths or protuberances?
Cauliflower CoralLace Coral Antler Coral
Key features:
• Discrete, branching coral heads
• Wart-like surface
• Polyps between and on projections
(Pocillopora)
Red Blue
Key features:• Encrusting, plate-like
• “Rice-like” projections
• Polyps between projections
Tan/Purple
(Montipora)
Massive Corals:
• Surface smooth,
• crowded, small polyps
• Forms mounds, plates, encrustations, fingers
Finger CoralMounding Coral Plate and Pillar
(Porites)
Key features:• Encrusting
• “Corrugated” appearance: steep-sided ridges
• Polyps in valleys
(Pavona)
Rice Coral
Smooth Coral
Small/Branching Coral
Smooth Coral
Rice Coral
Smooth Coral
CorrugatedCoral
1. What type of coral?
2. What kind of change?
– Is there a change in color?
• Bleaching? Disease? Predation? Other?
– Are there growths or protuberances?
1. What type of coral?
2. What kind of change?
– Is there a change in color?
• Bleaching? Disease? Predation? Other?
– Are there growths or protuberances?
Is the coral colony white?
Bleaching Bare Skeleton
• loss of symbiotic algae within coral tissue
– Polyps are alive and present
– Leaves transparent coral tissue
Large, complete colonies
Look for polyps!
Spotty Appearance
• Fast growing branching and plates corals first to bleach
• Some change color
Is the coral colony white?
Bleaching Bare Skeleton
Predation Disease
Predator present?Pattern of tissue loss
Progressive tissue loss
One or more:– Progressive tissue loss
– Spotty, uneven areas of bare skeleton
– Distinct banding
Pocillopora white-band disease
Multi-focal tissue lossPorites Tissue Loss
Montipora White Syndrome
Montipora banded tissue loss
• Discolored area, purple or red
• Raised, pink “zits”
Porites Trematodiasis
Pavona Endolithic
Hypermycosis
1. What type of coral?
2. What kind of change?
– Is there a change in color?
• Bleaching? Disease? Predation? Other?
– Are there growths or protuberances?
Porites Growth Anomalies
Montipora Growth Anomalies
Excess skeletal growth
- Paler tissue
- Enlarged calices
Natural Interactions between coral and other organisms
can be mistaken for disease or bleaching.
Do Not Report:
• Fish Predation
• Invertebrate Predation Burrowing
• Coral Competition
• Algal Interactions
• Numerous distinct bites
• Large, deep scrapes
• Fresh bites over old Blennies
Filefish
Parrotfish
Kahe crab
Shrimp burrows
COTSDrupella snails
• Coral tissue discoloration due to algal interactions
Toxic compounds
Abrasion
• Colonies use stinging cells, resulting in white, dead areas
Naturally occurring in small numbers, but report unusually large numbers of COTS
Causes for COTS outbreaks:
- Increased nutrients lead to increased planktonic food for larvae
- Fluctuations in salinity and temperature contribute to larval survival
- Removal of natural predators
- Triton trumpets, Harlequin shrimp, stripebelly puffers
Prefer small/branching corals and rice coral
– Look for bare, white skeleton, often with some live healthy coral
– Look for animals in vicinity
COTS predation: note tissue down in branches
Montipora growth anomaly
Porites trematodiasis
Discoloration due to biological interaction
COTS predation: note newly bare skeleton with no discoloration, progression or algal growth
Montipora White Syndrome: note progressing deterioration
Growth Anomalies
Bleaching
Fish predation
Spotty Coral Bleaching:Live coral polyps, irregular sizes and shapes
Porites Multi-Focal Tissue Loss: Intact, bare skeleton, some algal growth in middle
Coral Competition: Note white are where two colonies come together
Montipora Band Disease: note dark band with progressing deterioration
Pavona dark spot
Calculate percent affected
Calculate percent affected
•Percent Live Cover
•Percent Coral Affected
•# animals
EOR investigation
• Clear, clean, low nutrient water – prevents algae from growing overly fast
• Intense grazing by fish and invertebrates– controls algal biomass
Phase Shifts on Coral ReefsPhase Shifts on Coral Reefs
Transition from coral dominated to algal dominated reef
Lahaina, Maui: Cladophora spp.
•Algal overgrowth by:–Introduced alien species
–Invasive native algae
The largest and most destructive invasive algae in Hawai‘i
• Branches coarse and heavy, thick as a finger
• Up to 2m tall
• Shiny green to yellow orange
• Gnarled with spines to tangled, fleshy mats
• Found on calm reef flats(Kappaphycus, Eucheuma)
Massive blooms on Maui
– Responds to increased nitrogen and phosphorus and fragments easily
• Flattened “hooks” at tips
• Usually red, varying to yellow
• Long, tendril-like branches
• Often attached to other algae
• May form large mats
• Found on calm, intertidal and shallow reef flats
(Hypnea musciformis)
Massive blooms on O‘ahu and overtaking fishponds on Moloka‘i
- 3 dimensional growth, adapts to most conditions
- Brittle, smallest fragment can grow
• Cylindrical, brittle branches, forked at tips
• Tips bluntly rounded
• Varies in color from bright yellow at tips to orange or brown at base
• Found intertidal to subtidal to 4m(Gracilaria salicornia)
Most common alien alga- Responds quickly to
nutrients, out-competing & displacing native species
- Grazed by fish and turtles
• Spine-like, brittle branches
• Red, brown to yellow in bright sunlight
• Easily fragment, forms floating masses
• Attaches to rock and coral rubble
• Found in brackish ponds, tide pools, intertidal and reef flats
(Acanthophora spicifera)
Once established—very competitive- Soft-bottom & deep water habitats
- Competing with native species and endemic seagrass
• Fan-shaped, spongy blades
• Green to gray-green
• Densely clustered blades attached to a thick stalk
• Clumps often covered with silty sand, appearing muddy brown
• Calm, sandy bottoms, 1-80 m(Avrainvillea amadelpha)
Upside-down Jellyfish– Usually lies upside down on bottom
– Yellow-brown with white or pale spots and streaks
– 12-14 inches in diameter
– Frilly tentacles, mistaken for anemones
Snowflake Coral– Polyps have eight tentacles
– Polyps and branches white, but branches may appear orange from encrusting sponge
– Settles and grows on other corals and shellfish
(Carijoa)
(Cassiopea)
Common algae and invertebrate species that bloom out of control– Response to changing environmental conditions
– Nutrients
– Sedimentation
• Unusual organism that appears to be spreading quickly
• Changes in biodiversity
• Stressed or overgrown corals
• Change in water quality, clarity
• All types of reef locations
• Blue-green algae, Honaunau
– Leptolyngbya crosbyana
• Green Bubble algae, Kāne‘ohe Bay, O‘ahu
– Dictyosphaeria cavernosa
• Blue Octocoral, Kona Coast
– Sarcothelia edmondsoni
Leather Mudweed
Gorillo Ogo
Smothering Seaweed
Prickly Seaweed
Hookweed
Fish disease
Tumors in butterflyfish
severe
mild
moderate
Skin cancer in kole
Photo Credits: Matt Ramsey, Greta Aeby, & Thierry Work
`Ahihi Kina`u`Ahihi Kina`u
Photo Credits: Matt Ramsey, Greta Aeby, & Thierry Work
`Ahihi Kina`u`Ahihi Kina`u
Photo Credits: Matt Ramsey, Greta Aeby, & Thierry Work
Honlua BayHonlua Bay
Photo Credits: Matt Ramsey, Greta Aeby, & Thierry Work
Honlua BayHonlua Bay
Photo Credits: Matt Ramsey, Greta Aeby, & Thierry Work
Honlua BayHonlua Bay
Photo Credits: Matt Ramsey, Greta Aeby, & Thierry Work
KahekiliKahekili
`Ahihi Kina`u The Aquarium
Photo Credits: Matt Ramsey, Greta Aeby, & Thierry Work
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Username: eotr
Password: eotr
Report unusual events of bleaching, disease or COTS to:www.reefcheckhawaii.org/eyesofthereef.htm
808-953-4044or
EOR site coordinatorsKauai: Paul Clark
[email protected] Island: Linda Preskitt
[email protected]: Darla White
Coral bleaching, disease & marine invasives reporting network
• Volunteers and members
• Reef Check Hawai‘i
• Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB)
• Malama Kai
• Project Aware
• DLNR/DAR/DOFAW-HISC