Comparative analysis of the functioning of disturbed and undisturbed coral reef and seagrass ecosystems in the Tortugas : Phase I - Establishing a baseline Progress report no. 1, September 1, 2000 and cruise report for NOAA ship Ferrel, Cruise FE-00-09-BL, 10 July 2000 - 04 August 2000

"The Tortugas Ecological Reserve may be implemented in the year 2000. If implemented as it is currently proposed, it will include two components: Tortugas North and South... The implementation of this reserve provides an excellent opportunity for NOAA to investigate the effects of human disturbance (e.g., elimination of consumptive sampling and physical impacts) on the functioning of coral reef and deepwater algal and seagrass ecosystems... In support of this research, the NOAA ship Ferrel arrived in Key West, FL on 07 July 2000 to support research objectives of the CCFHR and collaborators (CCMA, CSC, FMRI, NURC, USF...) on the southwest Florida continental shelf and the proposed Dry Tortugas Ecological Reserve. Four operational legs were completed: Leg 1) 10-14 July, Leg 2) 16-21 July, Leg 3) 23-38 July and Leg 4) 30 July-04 August. A total of 24 scientists representing six federal, State and academic institutions participated in the month-long cruise."--p.1-2.