Biogeographic characterization of fish and benthic communities, Parguera, Puerto Rico 2010-08-10 to 2012-09-21 (NODC Accession 0125201)

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 Guánica 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 Guánica 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 and http://data.nodc.noaa.gov/geoportal/catalog/search/resource/details.page?uuid=%7B708DCA44-46A2-434D-A83C-ED220C029174%7D本鱼类与底栖生物组成数据库系多维度研究工作的成果，具体内容如下。 本研究的目标共分为五项：1) 对礁区鱼类与大型无脊椎动物（macro-invertebrates）（海螺、龙虾、冠海胆（Diadema））的分布、丰度及体型进行空间特征描述与监测；2) 将上述信息与现场采集的相关底栖组成参数数据进行关联分析；3) 以此为基础构建空间管理决策所需的知识库；4) 评估上述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学，以供其他机构采用，并致力于统一美国各州及领地的数据采集流程。 为此，美国沿海监测与评估中心生物地理学分部（Biogeography Branch, 简称BB）分别自2000年、2001年起在波多黎各与美属维尔京群岛开展研究工作。鉴于两地近期的管理调整（如海洋保护区（Marine Protected Area, MPA）的设立）及拟议中的管理变更（如通过分区规划管控多重人类活动），当前亟需采取行动，精准描述并表征上述区域内的鱼类/大型无脊椎动物种群特征。此外，BB需与负责制定并实施上述管理策略的相关人员密切协作，这一点同样至关重要。基于此认知，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，我们首先需掌握决定物种分布的潜在变量。因此，本研究的基础为美国国家海洋和大气管理局（National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA）生物地理学项目于2001年制作的近岸底栖生境地图（水深小于100英尺），以及美国国家海洋服务局（National Ocean Service, NOS）的水深地形模型。研究团队借助ArcView GIS软件，对数字化生境地图进行分层处理以选取采样站位。在各分层内随机选取采样点，以确保覆盖整个研究区域，而非仅覆盖特定礁区或海草床区域。在每个采样点，研究人员均遵循标准化规程对鱼类、大型无脊椎动物及底栖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，BB可构建并绘制物种及群落层面的信息图谱。上述规程已在美国加勒比海区域实现标准化，以便对不同区域的礁区鱼类丰度及分布趋势进行量化与对比。在掌握了海域中物种丰富度与多样性“热点区域”的可能分布位置后，BB可针对性解答海洋分区策略（如禁渔区、禁锚区或浮潜区域的选址）的实施成效问题，以及哪些区域最适合设立海洋保护区（MPA）。掌握鱼类/大型无脊椎动物群落的当前现状，并结合长期监测数据，可实现对管理成效的评估，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。此次区域调整的目的是对鱼类、大型无脊椎动物（海螺、龙虾、冠海胆（Diadema））及底栖群落开展基线评估，以支持瓜尼卡湾流域的修复工作，并随后对其长期变化进行监测。2008年，流域保护中心与波多黎各自然资源与环境部（DNER）的多个部门及美国国家海洋和大气管理局（NOAA）合作制定了流域管理计划。该计划基于当地专家的意见、实地评估观测结果以及对现有研究与适用地方规章的全面梳理，为瓜尼卡流域确定了优先管理建议与实施策略。之所以选择瓜尼卡流域开展流域规划项目，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——近几十年来，该区域的珊瑚礁生境状况持续恶化。本次调查采集的数据将为流域及邻近珊瑚礁提供关键的基线信息，用于评估已实施的修复项目的成效。有关瓜尼卡湾项目的更多详情可访问以下链接：http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/ecosystems/coralreef/guanica.aspx 及 http://data.nodc.noaa.gov/geoportal/catalog/search/resource/details.page?uuid=%7B708DCA44-46A2-434D-A83C-ED220C029174%7D