Abstract

GARCIA-URUENA, Rocío; GARZON-MACHADO, Marco  and  SIERRA-ESCRIGAS, Silvia. Current assessment of the Acropora palmata and Acropora cervicornis populations in Tayrona National Natural Park, Colombian Caribbean. Bol. Invest. Mar. Cost. [online]. 2020, vol.49, suppl.1, pp.137-166.  Epub Sep 05, 2021. ISSN 0122-9761.  https://doi.org/10.25268/bimc.invemar.2020.49.suplesp.1068.

The last assessment in terms of extension, status, and living coral cover (%) of Acropora palmata (29) and A. cervicornis (12) formations in Tayrona National Natural Park was done in 2001 and published in 2004. These formations were evaluated again between 2016 and 2018, including a new formation in Aguja Island, considering the same variables, with the addition of colony condition. For A. palmata, 24 formations were found with a reduction in area of 28.9 %. Mean coral cover increased about 2.0 %, with a broad size frequency distribution and an important proportion of colonies affected by damselfish territories (Stegastes). In A. cervicornis the area was reduced in 99.3 % and only one formation was found in Nenguange, although two new small formations were found in Cinto, and another one in Chengue. Mean coral cover was 8.0 %, composed mostly of small colonies and affected mainly by bleaching, macroalgae, diseases and predation. It is clear that the status of each species is different and requires specific conservation and management efforts. A. palmata formations have persisted through time, but nevertheless it is necessary to continue with similar assessments, to detect temporal changes, evaluating ecological aspects such as impacts of damselfish territories. A. cervicornis is in a critical condition and requires urgent restoration strategies and management measures to mitigate its tendency to disappear in the area.

Keywords : acroporids; coral reef formations; population demography..

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