CORAL REEFS OF THE CNMI MODULE #2: SPATIAL VARIATION MONITORING and STATUS OF CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEMS

Spatial Variation Composition Age Northern Islands: Volcanic Southern Islands: Uplifted coral reef limestone (volcanic base) Age Northern Islands: Youngest West Mariana Ridge Seamounts: Middle Southern Islands: Oldest (most developed reefs)

Spatial Variation Rota Goat (Aguijan) Tinian Saipan Native vegetation intact (no WWII activity) Fringing reefs, most developed reefs in NW and Sasanhaya Bay in SW Goat (Aguijan) Uplifted limestone, most developed reefs on NW side Tinian Most developed reefs on West side, near Tinian Harbor Saipan Most diverse reefs in CNMI Fringing and Barrier reef systems Human activity/impacts highest on Western side

Spatial Variation Volcanic Activity (Northern Islands) Anatahan Pagan Agrihan Winds and Ocean Currents Winds from E/NE Wind driven waves N Equatorial Current from E

Wave exposure offers protection? Reefs we use are typically low exposure, but they also show the strongest negative trends

Spatial vs Temporal Variation What kind of spatial and temporal variation can you describe at NMC? Spatial Temporal Spatial: Different Departments on different parts of campus; 1st year students hang out in different spots than older students; green space vs developed space; quiet areas vs loud areas Temporal: What were things like in the 1970’s? 1990’s? Campus buildings; clothing worn; faculty changes; logo changes; location of departments; faculty and student variation over time

Handout

What are the 12 natural and human-caused STRESSORS on CNMI coral reef ecosystems?

What are the 12 natural and human-caused STRESSORS on CNMI coral reef ecosystems? Climate Change & Coral Bleaching * Diseases Tropical Storms Coastal Development Coastal Pollution/Runoff * Tourism & Recreation Fishing * Ships, Boats and Groundings Marine Debris Aquatic/Invasive Species Security Training Activities (Military Buildup) * Offshore Oil & Gas Exploration

Name the 4 stressors that YOU THINK are the MOST CRITICAL (where should our priorities lie?)

Name the 4 stressors that YOU THINK are the MOST CRITICAL (where should our priorities lie?) Climate Change Land Based Sources of Pollution Impacts of Fishing Military Activities

Name 4 trends that we see during or following EL NINO events:

Name 4 trends that we see during or following EL NINO events: Drought-like conditions in years following El Nino Increased probability of storm events during El Nino Sea level drops during El Nino years Cooler Maximum Average Sea Surface temperatures

What does ocean acidification make more difficult?

What does ocean acidification make more difficult? For marine calcifying organism to form biogenic carbonate materials (build skeletons/build REEFS!)

Which CNMI beaches have a higher prevalence of coral disease Which CNMI beaches have a higher prevalence of coral disease? What activities take place at those beaches?

Which CNMI beaches have a higher prevalence of coral disease Which CNMI beaches have a higher prevalence of coral disease? What activities take place at those beaches? Laolao Bay and Obyan SCUBA Diving sites

How many tropical storms, on average, pass within 300 nautical miles of the CNMI each year?

How many tropical storms, on average, pass within 300 nautical miles of the CNMI each year? 3 per year on average

Name TWO major impacts that TROPICAL STORMS have on our reefs

Name TWO major impacts that TROPICAL STORMS have on our reefs Physical damage from large waves Heavy rainfall causes influx of fresh water (polluted, sediment-full, nutrient rich)

What is the difference between nonpoint and point source pollution?

What is the difference between nonpoint and point source pollution? Point source comes from a specific, identifiable source or place (a pipe or a factory) NPS comes from various combined sources (unpaved roads)

Name 5 main sources of NONPOINT SOURCE pollution in the CNMI:

Name 5 main sources of NONPOINT SOURCE pollution in the CNMI: Failing sewer systems Discharge from RO systems (now fixed) Urban runoff Sediment from unpaved roads Lack of proper erosion control BMPs during construction (Jihan’s RARE project)

Name a source of POINT SOURCE POLLUTION in the CNMI:

Name a source of POINT SOURCE POLLUTION in the CNMI: Agingan Point Sewage Outfall

Which local agencies are involved in coral reef monitoring programs?

Which local agencies are involved in coral reef monitoring programs? DEQ CRM DFW

What difference did research on 40 fringing reefs find between the reefs of the NORTHERN and SOUTHERN islands?

What difference did research on 40 fringing reefs find between the reefs of the NORTHERN and SOUTHERN islands? Coral diversity and surface area are LOWER in the NORTHERN ISLANDS. (Density, # of colonies was the SAME)

What was the cause of this difference?

What was the cause of this difference? Harsh environmental conditions. (Wave exposure, sedimentation, volcanic events) Same number of corals getting recruited (there’s clean surface to settle on) but their growth is limited by these harsh conditions.

Why do the NORTHERN ISLANDS not have developed fringing reefs like the southern islands? (5 reasons)

Why do the NORTHERN ISLANDS not have developed fringing reefs like the southern islands? (5 reasons) Unfavorable bathymetry (what does this mean? What depth do corals like?) = steep sided islands too deep for reef growth Lack of favorable substrate (hard bottom) for settlement/growth High exposure to wave energy Re-suspension of volcanic ash (from old eruptions) New eruptions (causing suspended ash in water)

How many distinct “geological settings” (types of ocean bottom rock) are found in the CNMI and WHY is this IMPORTANT to know? (Compare the GPA of students between 2014 and 2016 – survey all students in building E, but what if it changed from NRM classes to nursing classes during those years? Have to compare the same “types” of students and same “types” of reefs.

How many distinct “geological settings” (types of ocean bottom rock) are found in the CNMI and WHY is this IMPORTANT to know? 4 Because they each have different types of coral reef assemblages. It’s another type of SPATIAL VARIATION that we need to know in order to make comparisons! (Compare the GPA of students between 2014 and 2016 – survey all students in building E, but what if it changed from NRM classes to nursing classes during those years? Have to compare the same “types” of students and same “types” of reefs.

How many DEQ water quality monitoring sites were classified as “impaired”? Give # not percentage!

How many DEQ water quality monitoring sites were classified as “impaired”? 37.3% of 83 sites = 83 x 0.373 = 31 sites (30.959) Give # not percentage!

Which of the 3 southern islands had the MOST beach shoreline classified as having “impaired water quality”?

Which of the 3 southern islands had the MOST beach shoreline classified as having “impaired water quality”? SAIPAN Which had the LEAST “impaired” shoreline? ROTA What 1 factor, do you think, causes this difference NUMBER OF PEOPLE (human gradient)

Monitoring water quality is hard work and requires frequent sampling due to high levels of variation. What is another way that you can measure water quality?

Monitoring water quality is hard work and requires frequent sampling due to high levels of variation. What is another way that you can measure water quality? By using a PROXY (SUBSTITUTE) And that PROXY is: By looking at the biological communities and how they change in response to changing water quality parameters. (nutrients, sediment load, turbidity)

What is the scientific name of the species of seagrass that seems to GROW and EXPAND its area in areas with HIGH LEVELS OF DEVELOPMENT?

What is the scientific name of the species of seagrass that seems to GROW and EXPAND its area in areas with HIGH LEVELS OF DEVELOPMENT? Enhalus acoroides

Which species of seagrass tends to DIE OUT when there are high levels of pollution present?

Which species of seagrass tends to DIE OUT when there are high levels of pollution present? Halodule uninervis

Why does the answer to #20 above die out with increased pollution?

Why does the answer to #20 above die out with increased pollution? It’s competing against macro algae which shades it.

What has been happening to the NUMBER OF CORAL SPECIES found in Laolao Bay?

What has been happening to the NUMBER OF CORAL SPECIES found in Laolao Bay? Decreasing What is causing this? Decreasing water quality due to land based pollution.

What was the cause of high DEATH rates (up to 50%) of corals in 2000 and 2006?

What was the cause of high DEATH rates (up to 50%) of corals in 2000 and 2006? High sea surface temperatures (which causes coral bleaching)

What does COTS stand for?

What does COTS stand for? Crown of thorns starfish (seastar)

Look at Figure 14.13. Which island, Rota or Saipan, RECOVERED BETTER from the 2003-2004 COTS outbreaks?

Look at Figure 14.13. Which island, Rota or Saipan, RECOVERED BETTER from the 2003-2004 COTS outbreaks? Rota (even though baseline was lower!) Why? Because of better watershed/reef conditions before outbreak Healthier reef = faster recovery

Look at Figure 14.14. Which of the 2 sites shown in the graphs showed a higher RECOVERY RATE from the COTS outbreaks of 2003-2004?

Look at Figure 14.14. Which of the 2 sites shown in the graphs showed a higher RECOVERY RATE from the COTS outbreaks of 2003-2004? Wing Beach (vs Coral Ocean Point)

What do you think caused the corals from the answer to #25 to recover better than the other reef?

What do you think caused the corals from the answer to #25 to recover better than the other reef? Better watershed conditions (less developed) No sewage outfall.

Where were the highest levels of CORAL STRESS on SAIPAN recorded during the 2005 towed-diver surveys?

Where were the highest levels of CORAL STRESS on SAIPAN recorded during the 2005 towed-diver surveys? Between Obiyan and Agingan in the South

What was the apparent cause of the HIGH STRESS?

What was the apparent cause of the HIGH STRESS? COTS – 99 counted in 50 minutes (60 counted in 1 60sec period)

According to the PIFSC-CRED towed diver surveys conducted in 2005, where was the highest FISH BIOMASS ?

According to the PIFSC-CRED towed diver surveys conducted in 2005, where was the highest FISH BIOMASS ? In the NORTHERNMOST islands, with decreasing numbers as you go south toward the populated islands.

Based on your answer to #30, what do you think is more important for fish – having well-developed reefs to live on, or living in places where there is little or no fishing activity?

Based on your answer to #30, what do you think is more important for fish – having well-developed reefs to live on, or living in places where there is little or no fishing activity? Low population density.

Where was the lowest density of TARGETED SPECIES (fish that we like to catch/sell/eat) found?

Where was the lowest density of TARGETED SPECIES (fish that we like to catch/sell/eat) found? Guam and Southern Islands, especially for larger fish.

When DFW monitored the Sasanhaya Bay Fish Reserve in Rota, and the MMCA in Saipan, what were the four different reef types that they surveyed?

When DFW monitored the Sasanhaya Bay Fish Reserve in Rota, and the MMCA in Saipan, what were the four different reef types that they surveyed? Reef slope Lagoon deep patch reef Lagoon shallow patch reef Mixed area

What 6 fish showed an INCREASE in the SBFR?

What 6 fish showed an INCREASE in the SBFR? Lutjanidae Mullidae Nasinae Serranidae roving Acanthuridae and Scaridae (initial and terminal phase)

What 2 fish DID NOT show and INCREASE in population size in the MMCA? Could be longer to reach maturity = longer to recover; could be a targeted species for poachers.

What 2 fish DID NOT show and INCREASE in population size in the MMCA? Lutjanidae and Nasinae Could be longer to reach maturity = longer to recover; could be a targeted species for poachers.

What “event” is believed to be the #1 cause of the increase of reef fish populations in the Managaha Marine Conservation Area, and WHEN did this “event” happen?

What “event” is believed to be the #1 cause of the increase of reef fish populations in the Managaha Marine Conservation Area, and WHEN did this “event” happen? Regular enforcement began in late 2002.

What word or words would you use to best describe Figure 14.30?

What word or words would you use to best describe Figure 14.30? “Hurts my head”. Or, “crazy scientists think we’re gonna try to understand this graph”.

Figure 14.30 shows Macroinvertebrate Abundance(macro=big; invertebrate=critter with no spine … sea cucumber, starfish, urchins, clams, trochus, etc). What does the graph and the accompanying text say about the variation of abundance of (change in how many) invertebrates? There is remarkable (big) year to year variation (change) in abundance (how many you find on the reef). With no obvious environmental correlation (We don’t know what’s causing the big changes in numbers).

The End!