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Saint Barthelemy EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF 1997 REPORT
For a full size image, click on this thumnail photograph.
1. In 1996, the Marine Reserve of St. Barthelemy was officially designated. As a contribution to the Marine Reserve, the New England Biolabs Foundation supported Sustainable Ecosystems Institute to set up a monitoring program for the Marine Reserve. This report details the activities and results of the initial effort. A follow up study and report is planned. 2. There is global concern for coral reef ecosystems. But the long-term data needed for accurate assessment are lacking. Monitoring is essential to evaluate progress and effectiveness. Without monitoring we will not know whether Marine Reserves meet their goals or are simply "paper parks". Monitoring results can provide a scientific basis for management, and make it more difficult for authorities to ignore ecological problems.
3. In this study monitoring activities consisted of manta tow surveys in reserve and non-reserve areas, setting up and monitoring of permanent photoquadrats; fish transects at permanent monitoring sites; and water clarity analysis. Full details of the methods used, with rationales, are provided in the appropriate chapters.
4. St. Barthelemy is a volcanic island, and consequently most marine life grows on rocky outcrops and benches. Rocky headlands and offshore islands provide substrate for a rich marine community. Fringing reefs of elkhorn coral are found off some bays and coasts; this coral is mostly dead. There has been some recovery. Coral heads tend to be small and scattered at shallow and exposed sites. Particular reefs show signs of degradation (from storm or human damage). Small reef fish are abundant at some sites but there are few large fish (e.g. groupers) on any reef. The vast seagrass meadows at Cul de Sac are an important nursery for fish and shellfish, and their preservation is important.
5. Manta Tow surveys are effective in monitoring large scale patterns and changes in reef communities. Our manta tow surveys revealed a range of habitats, biodiversity, and reef conditions. Sites that had been damaged by hurricanes, disease, or other factors varied in their recovery. Within the Reserve there was variation in coral and fish abundance among sites. Some areas, e.g. exposed off shore islands provide a good habitat for large fish, and these should be monitored for increases in fish life.
6. Photoquadrats were set up at Gros Islets, Ile Fregate, and Pain de Sucre. At each site six 2x2m quadrats were constructed, and photographed (Figure 1. Examples of photoquadrat pictures). Photographs were scanned and analyzed using PC Tools. Corals covered from 31-38% of substrate. The relative composition of corals and other sessile species differed among sites (Figure 2. Relative Abundance of Main Biological Groups). At Pain de Sucre there was a high component of Porites porites (finger coral) rubble.
7. Fish transects were set up at Gros Islets, Ile Fregate and Pain de Sucre (Figure 3. Fish Counts at Each Location). At each site we carried out ten 20m x 5m transects. Fish abundance and composition varied among sites. Gros Islets is a heterogeneous site, and provides habitat for a high diversity of reef fish. By contrast Ile Fregate has fewer fish. This site consists of flat benches with coral outcrops and few crevices or refuges for fish. At all sites, there was low abundance of large and commercial species.
8. We carried out a series of secchi disk measurements to provide a baseline of water clarity. The results showed that water was generally clear away from the immediate coast. Water clarity varied depending on the type of coastline (sand versus rock) and weather conditions (e.g. storms or calm seas).
9. The results of these studies provide a baseline of information that describes the reef at a single point in time. By comparing future results, to these studies, spatial and temporal changes in the reefs can be detected. These will help determine the effectiveness of the Marine Reserve in meeting its goals, and will provide a scientific basis for management decisions.
10. Those who use and benefit regularly from the marine environment are responsible for its protection. These individuals and groups have a unique knowledge of the daily and seasonal fluctuations in the sea. As part of this study, dive-operators, (Erik and Lowrance, and the staff of West Indies Dive), and Patrick Laplace, participated in setting up and monitoring some of the reef areas. These training sessions illustrated that there are opportunities for diverse groups to participate in reef monitoring and protection.
11. Specific results indicated that: 1. Scientists are needed to design the monitoring program and identify sites for monitoring, but dive-operators and other groups can easily be trained in setting up photoquadrats. Dive-operators have excellent buoyancy control and minimize damage to the reef: 2. We could not test the use of photoquadrat frames but we are working on a video-line-intercept monitoring method. 3. Fish transects must be tailored to the knowledge of the diver, and the diver's comfort level in the water. There is a general tendency to underestimate the density of small fish. Dive-operators expressed an interest in monitoring the reefs and we hope to continue this training.
12. The Marine Reserve of St. Barthelemy is an exciting venture in conservation. We appreciate the opportunity to assist the Marine Reserve, and are grateful for support and help from St. Barthelemy during this study. We look forward to working again with St. Barthelemy Marine Reserve
13. Our sincere thanks to NICOLE AUSSEDAT who for many years has been instrumental in developing this reserve, and who facilitated our work and liasion with St. Barth. She's been wonderful and we gratefully acknowledge her dedication to the protection of the marine environment. Thanks too to JEAN AUBIN for his help and assistance at sea. We appreciate the efforts and help of Jean Claude Plessy, Michel Magras,West Indies Dive, Marine Service, Odyssey Caribe. And special thanks to the New England Biolabs Foundation for initiating and supporting this work.
St. Barthelemy, Rearch and Discovery Montserrat, Coral Reefs under the Volcano Research Study - Hands Off Diving Are you interested in helping SEI scientists?
© 2000 Sustainable Ecosystems
Institute
 comments: sei@sei.org |
