Coral Reef Ecology

Publisher: USGS | Science Center: Florida Integrated Science Center (FISC, Gainesville) | Format: URL

fl.biology.usgs.gov — Coral reefs in the Caribbean and western Atlantic are deteriorating in response to hurricanes, coral diseases, anchor damage, sedimentation, and other stresses. USGS biologists at the Caribbean Field Station are documenting the current status of coral reefs and the effects of some of these stresses within Virgin Islands National Park (St. John), More... Coral reefs in the Caribbean and western Atlantic are deteriorating in response to hurricanes, coral diseases, anchor damage, sedimentation, and other stresses. USGS biologists at the Caribbean Field Station are documenting the current status of coral reefs and the effects of some of these stresses within Virgin Islands National Park (St. John), Buck Island Reef National Monument (St. Croix), and Dry Tortugas National Park (Florida). The primary objective is to detect change in benthic cover over time using a statistically rigorous protocol. This resource links to an Overview of Coral Reef Ecology, Biological Resources at the U.S. Geological Survey Field Station Virgin Islands National Park, the Virgin Islands/South Florida Long Term Ecological Monitoring Program, Sea Turtle Monitoring Protocols, Fishes of Isla Del Coco, Coral Reef Images, a Printable PDF about Coral Reef Ecology, and Coral Reef Monitoring Protocols along with a Complete Download Kit. Less...