Long-Term Impacts of Non-Sustainable Tourism and Urban Development in Small Tropical Islands Coastal Habitats in a Changing Climate: Lessons Learned from Puerto Rico

Delgado, Edwin A. Hernández; Ramos‐Scharrón, Carlos E.; Guerrero-Pérez, Carmen R.; Lucking, Mary Ann; Laureano, Ricardo; Méndez‐Lázaro, Pablo; Meléndez-Díaz, Joel O.

doi:10.5772/38140

Cited by 16 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…Other persistent threats are caused by tourism-related activities at sensitive areas and steep slopes which are highly prone to erosion (Nemeth and Sladek, 2001;Hernández-Delgado et al, 2012, 2014a. In addition, the increasing number of beach visitors and recreational snorkelers could contribute to silt-clay sediment resuspension and impact sensitive coral reef habitats (Webler and Jakubowski, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Trends of unsustainable urban sprawl and deforestation at sensitive coastal areas, such as arid steep slopes, increase watersheds' vulnerability to erosion during extreme rainfall episodes (Nemeth and Sladek, 2001;Hernández-Delgado et al, 2012, 2014aRamos-Scharrón et al, 2012;Gellis, 2013;Edmunds and Gray, 2014). Sediment yield and influx from arid coastal watersheds into marine ecosystems vary in response to the watershed's catchment size, slope, land use patterns, and local rainfall volume and intensity (Rogers, 1990;Ramos-Scharrón and MacDonald, 2007;Rodrigues et al, 2013;Browning et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of Changing Weather, Oceanographic Conditions, and Land Uses on Spatio-Temporal Variation of Sedimentation Dynamics along Near-Shore Coral Reefs

et al. 2017

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Sedimentation is a critical threat to coral reefs worldwide. Major land use alteration at steep, highly erodible semi-arid islands accelerates the potential of soil erosion, runoff, and sedimentation stress to nearshore coral reefs during extreme rainfall events. The goal of this study was to assess spatio-temporal variation of sedimentation dynamics across nearshore coral reefs as a function of land use patterns, weather and oceanographic dynamics, to identify marine ecosystem conservation strategies. Sediment was collected at a distance gradient from shore at Bahia Tamarindo (BTA) and Punta Soldado (PSO) coral reefs at Culebra Island, Puerto Rico. Sediment texture and composition were analyzed by dry sieving and loss-on-ignition techniques, and were contrasted with environmental variables for the research period (February 2014 to April 2015. Rainfall and oceanographic data were analyzed to address their potential role on affecting sediment distribution with BEST BIO-ENV, RELATE correlation, and linear regression analysis. A significant difference in sedimentation rate was observed by time and distance from shore (PERMANOVA, p < 0.0100), mostly attributed to higher sediment exposure at reef zones closer to shore due to strong relationships with coastal runoff. Sedimentation rate positively correlated with strong rainfall events (Rho = 0.301, p = 0.0400) associated with storms and rainfall intensity exceeding 15 mm/h. At BTA, sediment deposited were mostly composed of sand, suggesting a potential influence of resuspension produced by waves and swells. In contrast, PSO sediments were mostly composed of silt-clay and terrigenous material, mainly attributed to a deforestation event that occurred at adjacent steep sub-watershed during the study period. Spatial and temporal variation of sedimentation pulses and terrigenous sediment input implies that coral reefs exposure to sediment stress is determined by local land use patterns, weather, and oceanographic dynamics. Comprehensive understanding of sediment dynamics and coastal ecosystem interconnectivity is fundamental to implement integrated and adaptive management strategies aimed to promote sustainable development at watershed and Otaño-Cruz et al.Sedimentation Dynamics Along Near-Shore Reefs island wide-scale to fully mitigate terrigenous sediment impact to marine ecosystems. Furthermore, decision-making processes and policy needs to address sedimentation stress in the context of future climate to reduce land-based threats and strengthen coral reef resilience.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Changing Weather, Oceanographic Conditions, and Land Uses on Spatio-Temporal Variation of Sedimentation Dynamics along Near-Shore Coral Reefs

et al. 2017

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“…Other studies have shown further reef degradation associated to LBSP, including the combination of sedimentation and turbidity [84,85] and sewage and eutrophication [66,72,86]. Declining environmental conditions across the shelf have resulted in declining coral growth rates [81] and in significant declines of A. palmata populations across inshore reefs adjacent to areas impacted by LBSP [72,84,[87][88][89][90]. Chronic decline in water quality could also have significant negative impacts on fish assemblages as several fish taxa can be sensitive to environmental degradation [91].…”

Section: Implications For Coral Reef Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It would also be critical to implement sustainable development practices, particularly for small tropical island nations [88], including establishing setbacks from vulnerable areas along the shoreline and measures to protect local community livelihoods. A climate change adaptation program must also be implemented focused on the sustainable adaptability of coupled social-ecological systems, on the sustainability of the ecosystem services provided by the first line of defense against storm swells (e.g., coral reefs and mangroves) and on fishery sustainable adaptability [93].…”

Section: Management Recommendations For Decision-makingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The private sector should contribute significantly to MPA and coral reef conservation and restoration through financial assistance and through supporting human and technical resources. Moreover, there is a critical need to reduce impacts by massive tourism activities [88], to reduce carbon emissions [94], and to adopt and expand a reward system for carbon sequestration, with the reduction of hydrocarbon dependency [56]. Approximately 85% of the energy produced in Puerto Rico is derived from hydrocarbon burning.…”

Section: Management Recommendations For Decision-makingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Coral Reef Resilience Index for Novel Ecosystems: A Spatial Planning Tool for Managers and Decision Makers - A Case Study from Puerto Rico

Hernández-Delgado¹,

Barba-Herrera²,

Valcárcel³

et al. 2018

Corals in a Changing World

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Timely information is critical for coral reef managers and decision-makers to implement sustainable management measures. A Coral Reef Resilience Index (CRRI) was developed with a GIS-coupled decision-making tool applicable for Caribbean coral reef ecosystems. The CRRI is based on a five-point scale parameterized from the quantitative characterization of benthic assemblages. Separate subindices such as the Coral Index, the Threatened Species Index, and the Algal Index also provide specific information regarding targeted benthic components. This case study was based on assessments conducted in 2014 on 11 reef sites located across 3 geographic zones and 3 depth zones along the southwestern shelf of the island of Puerto Rico, Caribbean Sea. There was a significant spatial and bathymetric gradient (p < 0.05) in the distribution of CRRI values indicating higher degradation of inshore reefs. Mean global CRRI ranged from 2.78 to 3.17 across the shelf, ranking them as "fair." The Coral Index ranged from 2.60 to 3.76, ranking reefs from "poor" to "good," showing a general cross-shelf trend of improving conditions with increasing distance from pollution sources. Turbidity and ammonia were significantly correlated to CRRI scores. Multiple recommendations are provided based on coral reef conditions according to observed CRRI rankings.

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The Calm After the Storm: Island Perspective on the Application of Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approaches to Address Climate Change Adaptation

Simmons¹

2020

Sustainable Development Goals Series

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Long-Term Impacts of Non-Sustainable Tourism and Urban Development in Small Tropical Islands Coastal Habitats in a Changing Climate: Lessons Learned from Puerto Rico

Cited by 16 publications

References 59 publications

Effects of Changing Weather, Oceanographic Conditions, and Land Uses on Spatio-Temporal Variation of Sedimentation Dynamics along Near-Shore Coral Reefs

Effects of Changing Weather, Oceanographic Conditions, and Land Uses on Spatio-Temporal Variation of Sedimentation Dynamics along Near-Shore Coral Reefs

Coral Reef Resilience Index for Novel Ecosystems: A Spatial Planning Tool for Managers and Decision Makers - A Case Study from Puerto Rico

The Calm After the Storm: Island Perspective on the Application of Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approaches to Address Climate Change Adaptation

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