Florida Reef Tract Coral Bleaching Response Plan

Transcription

1 Florida Reef Tract Coral Bleaching Response Plan Meaghan Johnson, The Nature Conservancy January 21, 2016

2 Bleaching Response Plan Developed in 2013 Unified plan for responding to coral bleaching events along the Florida Reef Tract Implemented during peak bleaching temperatures Also designed for response to other reef related events (e.g. coral disease)

3 Bleaching Response Plan Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Early Warning System Chapter 3: Impact Assessment Chapter 4: Communications Chapter 5: Management Actions

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5 SEAFAN BleachWatch SEAFAN BleachWatch is an early warning system for coral bleaching in southeast Florida.

6 Chapter 2: Early Warning System DEP Coral Reef Conservation Program Area Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Federal Park or Refuge State Park SEAFAN BleachWatch Florida Keys BleachWatch

7 Early Warning System Objectives Monitor climate and sea temperatures. Provide an Early Warning Alert for coral bleaching for the FKNMS and southeast Florida s reefs. Involve the community in assessing the condition of coral reefs. Produce summaries of Current Conditions in each region, based on environmental conditions and community field observations.

8 Early Warning System Environmental Monitoring Data BleachWatch Field Observations Current Conditions Reports

9 Early Warning System Early Warning System Impact Impact Assessments Impact Assessments Satellite Monitor Imagery Bleaching Extent & Severity Wind & Sea Conditions Volunteer Observations Mortality & Survival Is there evidence of mass coral bleaching? No Yes Current Conditions Report Ecosystem Impacts Recovery System - wide Habitats Populations Communication Supporting Resilience (Management & Research)

10 Chapter 3: Impact Assessment Goal: To determine the extent, severity and impacts of disturbance events, such as coral bleaching, to support communication and management efforts during these events.

11 Monitor coral reef health after disturbances focused on coral bleaching Trained experts survey stony corals on FL reef tract during peak annual temperatures (6-8 weeks) Follow-up surveys after moderate/severe bleaching years (e.g. 2005, 2014, 2015) Can be used for other disturbances (e.g. disease, cold water) Disturbance Response Monitoring (DRM)

12 DRM Field Methods Random sites generated and assigned to teams 1 x 10m belt transects (2/site) Measure/assess all corals (>=4 cm) Species level identification Degree of bleaching, % mortality and presence of disease Data entered online Database queried for results

13 FRRP Spatial Framework Provides a unified method of dividing up and looking at the reef tract There are 16 subregions (e.g. Upper Keys, Broward) and 156 bio-zones (e.g. inshore, middle reef) The spatial framework and sampling grid were revised in Spring 2014 using new spatial and benthic data.

14 For 2015, 250 surveyed sites Moderate to severe bleaching occurred in all regions Severe bleaching occurred in the Dry Tortugas, Lower, Middle and Upper Keys sub-regions 2015 Bleaching Extent By Zone

15 Post-Bleaching Surveys Both BleachWatch and DRM data are used to determine whether postbleaching surveys are required The level of response is determined by the bleaching severity and spatial extent

16 Post-Bleaching Surveys

17 Post-Bleaching Surveys Surveys completed at 25 CREMP and SECREMP sites Surveys took place from January-February 2015 Mild bleaching occurred at all sites. This data shows bleaching only, NO paling

18 Chapter 4: Communications Goal: To increase awareness about coral bleaching and participation in volunteer programs.

19 Communications

20 Chapter 5: Management Actions Goal: To reduce human activities during and after bleaching events that may add additional stress Review of existing permits Limit manipulation/collection of corals Implement temporary closures of reef areas

21 FRRP Highlights 2215 surveys completed Over 140 trained surveyors More than DOUBLED the survey effort from 118 surveys in 2005 to 250 surveys in 2015

22 Severe Bleaching Events

23 Water Temperature as low as 8 C 15 C is critical low temperature for Corals Most Severe Cold Water in Upper Keys and Middle Keys Nearshore Zones 2010 January Cold Water Event

24 2010 January Cold Water Event What did we learn? Able to quickly mobilize surveyors within a few days Annual surveys keep surveyors refreshed on methods Able to document the severity of a disturbance event and allow reef managers to communicate what was happening Publications: D. Lirman, S. Schopmeyer, D. Manzello, L. J. Gramer, W. F. Precht, F. Muller- Karger, K. Banks, B. Barnes, E. Bartels, A. Bourque J. Byrne, S. Donahue, J. Duquesnel, L. Fisher, D. Gilliam, J. Hendee, M. Johnson, K. Maxwell, E. McDevitt, J. Monty, D. Rueda, R. Ruzicka, and S. Thanner. (In Press). Severe 2010 cold-water event caused unprecedented mortality to corals of the Florida Reef Tract and reversed previous survivorship patterns. PloS ONE.

25 Thank You!