21st Annual Student Research Conference
Coral Growth on Anthropogenic vs. Natural Substrates in Bonaire, N.A
Christy M. Clemenson
Dr. Linda Kuhnz (CIEE Bonaire), Dr. Rita Peachey (CIEE Bonaire), Prof. Caren Echrich (CIEE Bonaire), and Dr. Diane Janick-Buckner, Faculty Mentors
Specific anthropogenic substrates demonstrate the ability to aid new coral growth among Caribbean reefs in Bonaire, N.A. In this study I documented the total percent coral cover on tires, concrete, and metal objects then compared it to nearby natural reef. I also documented the percent cover for individual coral species. Natural substrates exhibited the highest percent total coral cover (mean = 64.5 %), followed by concrete (mean = 21.5 %) and metal (mean = 22.9 %); tires supported the lowest mean coral cover (mean = 3.5 %). Coral species diversity was highest on metal substrates (11 spp.), followed by concrete (9 spp.), natural reef (8 spp.) and tires (2 spp.). These data suggest that concrete may be the most appropriate artificial substrate in efforts to aid reef regeneration and restoration in this region.
Keywords: Coral, Coral Growth, Caribbean, Reefs, Conservation, Reef Restoration, Bonaire, N.A.
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 3-1
Location: OP Lobby
Time: 4:15