La Parguera, Puerto Rico (2001 - Present) and Guanica, Puerto Rico (2012) benthic habitat assessment and monitoring data: 2012

This fish and benthic composition database is the result of a multifaceted effort described below. The intent of this work is five fold: 1) To spatially characterize and monitor the distribution, abundance, and size of both reef fishes and macro-invertebrates (conch, lobster, Diadema); 2) To relate this information to in-situ data collected on associated benthic composition parameters; 3) To use this information to establish the knowledge base necessary for enacting management decisions in a spatial setting; 4) To establish the efficacy of those management decisions; and 5) To work with the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program to develop data collection standards and easily implemented methodologies for transference to other agencies and to work toward standardizing data collection throughout the US states and territories. Toward this end, the Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment's Biogeography Branch (BB) has been conducting research in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands since 2000 and 2001, respectively. It is critical, with recent changes in management at both locations (e.g. implementation of MPAs) as well as proposed changes (e.g. zoning to manage multiple human uses) that action is taken now to accurately describe and characterize the fish/macro-invertebrate populations in these areas. It is also important that BB work closely with the individuals responsible for recommending and implementing these management strategies. Recognizing this, BB has been collaborating with partners at the University of Puerto Rico, National Park Service, US Geological Survey and the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources. To quantify patterns of spatial distribution and make meaningful interpretations, we must first have knowledge of the underlying variables determining species distribution. The basis for this work therefore, is the nearshore benthic habitats maps (less than 100 ft depth) created by NOAA's Biogeography Program in 2001 and NOS' bathymetry models. Using ArcView GIS software, the digitized habitat maps are stratified to select sampling stations. Sites are randomly selected within these strata to ensure coverage of the entire study region and not just a particular reef or seagrass area. At each site, fish, macro-invertebrates, and benthic composition information is then quantified following standardized protocols. By relating the data collected in the field back to the habitat maps and bathymetric models, BB is able to model and map species level and community level information. These protocols are standardized throughout the US Caribbean to enable quantification and comparison of reef fish abundance and distribution trends between locations. Armed with the knowledge of where "hot spots" of species richness and diversity are likely to occur in the seascape, the BB is in a unique position to answer questions about the efficacy of marine zoning strategies (e.g. placement of no fishing, anchoring, or snorkeling locations), and what locations are most suitable for establishing MPAs. Knowledge of the current status of fish/macro-invertebrate communities coupled with longer term monitoring will enable evaluation of management efficacy, thus it is essential to future management actions. Starting in 2010, the regular La Parguera survey area was extended eastward to encompass the Guanica Bay region. The purpose of this modification was to conduct a baseline assessment of fish, macro-invertebrates (conch, lobster, Diadema) and benthic communities in support of Guanica Bay watershed restoration, and then to monitor changes over time. A watershed management plan was developed in 2008 by the Center for Watershed Protection, in cooperation with various Divisions of Puerto Rico DNER and NOAA, to identify priority management recommendations and implementation strategies for the Guanica watershed based on input from local experts, observations from on-the-ground assessments, and a comprehensive review of existing studies and applicable local rules and regulations. The Guanica watershed was selected for the watershed planning project because it is a priority of the Commonwealth for conservation of the near shore coral reef habitat, which has been steadily declining in condition during the past several decades. Information collected during this survey will provide critical baseline information for the watershed and adjacent coral reefs which will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the restoration project implemented. More information on the Guanica Bay project can be found at: http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/ecosystems/coralreef/guanica.aspx.

本鱼类与底栖生物组成数据库是下述多维度研究工作的成果。本研究共涵盖五大目标：1） 对礁栖鱼类与大型无脊椎动物（海螺、龙虾、冠海胆（Diadema））的分布、丰度及体型开展空间特征描述与监测；2） 将上述数据与现场采集的相关底栖生物组成参数数据进行关联分析；3） 构建空间场景下制定管理决策所需的知识库；4） 评估相关管理决策的实施成效；5） 与国家珊瑚礁监测计划（National Coral Reef Monitoring Program）合作制定数据采集标准与易于推广的方法体系，以供其他机构借鉴，并致力于推动全美各州及领地的数据采集标准化工作。为此，海岸监测与评估中心生物地理学分支（Biogeography Branch, BB）分别自2000年、2001年起在波多黎各和美属维尔京群岛开展研究工作。鉴于当前两地管理政策的调整（例如海洋保护区（MPAs）的实施）及拟推出的政策变动（例如用于管理多重人类活动的区划规划），当前亟需准确描述并表征上述区域内的鱼类/大型无脊椎动物种群状况。此外，BB与负责制定及实施上述管理策略的相关人员开展紧密协作亦至关重要。基于此共识，BB已与波多黎各大学、美国国家公园管理局、美国地质调查局以及维尔京群岛规划与自然资源部的合作方展开协作。为量化空间分布模式并开展有意义的解读，首先需掌握决定物种分布的潜在变量。因此，本研究的基础数据来自美国国家海洋和大气管理局（NOAA）生物地理学项目2001年生成的近岸底栖生境地图（水深小于100英尺）以及国家海洋服务局（NOS）的水深地形模型。研究团队借助ArcView地理信息系统（GIS）软件对数字化生境地图进行分层处理，以选取采样站位。在各分层单元内随机选取采样点，以确保覆盖整个研究区域，而非仅局限于特定礁区或海草床区域。在每个采样点，研究人员均按照标准化规程对鱼类、大型无脊椎动物及底栖生物组成信息进行量化采集。通过将野外采集的数据与生境地图及水深地形模型进行关联分析，BB可实现物种级与群落级信息的建模与制图。上述规程已在美属加勒比地区实现标准化，以便对不同区域的礁栖鱼类丰度与分布趋势开展量化与对比分析。借助对海域中物种丰富度与多样性热点区域分布的认知，BB能够针对性解答海洋区划策略的成效相关问题（例如禁渔区、锚泊区或浮潜区的选址），以及哪些区域最适合设立海洋保护区。结合鱼类/大型无脊椎动物群落的当前现状与长期监测数据，可对管理成效进行评估，因此这对未来的管理行动至关重要。自2010年起，常规的拉帕尔格拉（La Parguera）调查区域向东扩展，涵盖了瓜尼卡湾（Guanica Bay）区域。此次区域扩展的目的是对瓜尼卡湾的鱼类、大型无脊椎动物（海螺、龙虾、冠海胆（Diadema））及底栖生物群落开展基线评估，以支撑瓜尼卡湾流域修复工作，并后续开展长期变化监测。2008年，流域保护中心与波多黎各自然资源和规划部（DNER）多个部门及NOAA合作制定了瓜尼卡湾流域管理计划，该计划基于本地专家的意见、实地评估观测结果以及对现有研究与适用本地法规的全面梳理，明确了瓜尼卡湾流域的优先管理建议与实施策略。瓜尼卡湾流域之所以被选为流域规划项目的试点区域，是因为其是波多黎各自治邦近岸珊瑚礁生境保护的优先区域，而该区域的珊瑚礁生境在过去数十年间质量持续退化。本次调查采集的数据将为瓜尼卡湾流域及邻近珊瑚礁提供关键的基线信息，用于评估后续实施的修复项目的成效。更多关于瓜尼卡湾项目的信息可查阅：http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/ecosystems/coralreef/guanica.aspx。