Condición Actual De Las Formaciones Coralinas De Acropora Palmata Y A. Cervicornis en El Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona (Colombia)

Abstract

To assess the status of coral formations dominated by A c ro p o r a palmata (APF) and A. cervicornis (ACF) in the Tayrona National Natural Park (TNNP), Colombian Caribbean, a study was conducted at the bays of Chengue, Gayraca, Nenguange and Cinto between May- December 2001. The distribution and extension of the formations in the study area were evaluated by swimming along the coast and using draft maps, a GPS and a calibrated flow-meter, and their living cover were estimated in quadrat-belt transects (1x10 m). Atotal of 29 APF (119320 m2) and 12 ACF (21760 m2) were assessed. Almost all the APF exhibited living colonies of A. palmata, but the mean cover by this species reached only about 10%, representing about 14000 m2 of living area and a live: dead tissue proportion of 1: 8. Only four ACF had living colonies of A. cerv i c o r n i s, and the mean live cover by this species was near 5%, corresponding to only 1200 m2 and a live: dead tissue proportion of 1: 15. Algae was the dominant category at both types of formation, covering about 80% of the substrate, followed by stony corals (17% in APF and 12% in ACF) and in less proportion by sand, zoanthids, octocorals and sponges. The hard coral assemblage was composed by 21 species in both formations, but, despite the extensive mortality of acroporids, it continued dominated by A. palmata (60%) in the APF and by A. cer v i c o r n i s (40%) in the A C F. M i l l e p o r a c o m p l a n a t a was the only other stony coral species that reached important cover values (19% in APF and 24% in ACF); this is an opportunist coral that may have been gaining dominance following the decline of acroporid species. The results of our study indicate that acroporid populations of the PNNT have not recovered after 15 years of their mass mortality, and on the contrary, suggest that their status is now more dramatic. This is coincident with the general scenario that was diagnosed recently for the status of these corals in the Wider Caribbean. However, the current condition of acroporids in the PNNT seems better than in other reef areas of the Colombian Caribbean, so that, its remnant surviving populations can represent important reserves for conservation of both species and for future restoration programs.

Spatial and temporal distribution of the invasive lionfishPterois volitansin coral reefs of Tayrona National Natural Park, Colombian Caribbean

“…obs., 2010). Additionally, Chengue Bay comprises a highly developed mangrove ecosystem (Garzón-Ferreira & Cano, 1991) which may serve as nursery for lionfish larvae and juveniles. This is further supported by the study of Arbeláez & Acero P (2011), who found lionfish juveniles of 3–10 cm lengths at the submerged roots of the mangroves bordering the entrance to the southern lagoon in Chengue Bay.…”

“…In 2010, juvenile P. volitans (3–10 cm lengths) were observed in the mangrove ecosystem of Chengue Bay (Arbeláez & Acero P, 2011). The ecological consequences of lionfish are of particular interest for the TNNP area due to its major coastal biodiversity (Garzón-Ferreira & Cano, 1991). The TNNP is a fishing restricted area administrated by the National Natural Parks of Colombia dealing with all territories of marine parks and reserves.…”

Acropora coral colonies as microhabitats for sponges in Tayrona National Natural Park, Colombian Caribbean

“…palmata is confined to shallow areas exposed to high swells (Garzón‐Ferreira et al . ), encrusting sponges should be dominant on this species. By contrast, vertical growth of sponges is more likely on Ac.…”

“…Then, from 1980 onwards, a drastic decline occurred in these species throughout the entire Caribbean attributed to white band disease (Garzón‐Ferreira et al . , ). Mortality rates of 60% for Ac.…”

“…Towards the end of the 1970s, live corals dominated Caribbean coral reefs, with Acropora palmata being distributed throughout shallow areas and Acropora cervicornis found at intermediate depths (Miller et al 2002;Garz on-Ferreira et al 2004). Then, from 1980 onwards, a drastic decline occurred in these species throughout the entire Caribbean attributed to white band disease (Garz on-Ferreira et al 2001, 2004. Mortality rates of 60% for Ac.…”