Fish survey data from Uva Island reef, Panama

Uva Island reef, Panama

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CRCP Project#: 20513-2010 Evaluating climate effects on a coral reef fish community: analysis of a 30-year ecological monitoring effort. Unpublished report, submitted to the Coral Reef Conservation Program, May 11, 2011.

Fish survey data from Uva Island reef, Panama collected between 1980 and 2010 (NCEI Accession 0157563)

Unpublished Final Report in NOAA LIbrary

Describes Sampling Methodology and Calculation Methodology

Coral monitoring. Assessment of coral cover on the Uva reef began in 1974 (Glynn 1976) and has continued to 2010. This was accomplished by chain transects and by sampling fixed 1 m2 plots (n = 10) as well as a single 4 x 5 m2 plot bordering the fish transects. The 4 x 5 m plot was established by R.H. Richmond immediately following the 1982-83 ENSO event when coral cover on the fore-reef was reduced to near-zero values. For this study, percent coral cover was determined only from the 4 x 5 m fixed plot. Benthic composition of 1 m2 sections were drawn by divers underwater and then digitized in the lab using a flatbed scanner, Adobe Photoshop and ImageJ software. Percent coral cover was determined by dividing the number of pixels representing coral within a quadrat by the total number of pixels in that quadrat. For each year, all 20 1 m2 quadrats within the 4 x 5 m plot were averaged to determine the total mean percent coral cover. Fish monitoring. Fish species numbers and abundances were quantified via snorkeling along the NW (seaward) side of the Uva Island patch reef. The surveys were conducted along 20 x 40 m transects with the longest axis oriented in the NW-SE direction, i.e., along the depth gradient and perpendicular to the zonation of fore-reef corals. The shallow ends of the transects were located in abundant pocilloporid growth (with scattered reef frame blocks) of relatively high relief; the central sections were dominated by live stands of Pocillopora spp. of low relief; the deep ends contained mostly coral rubble with a few isolated patches of massive corals. These substrate zonation patterns characterized the transect areas when sampling was first conducted. Live coral cover returned gradually from near complete loss following the 1982-83 El Ni¿o to pre-disturbance levels as of March 2010. All surveys were conducted at or near high tide. At this time, the shallow ends of the transects were 3-4 m deep and their deep ends 5-7 m. The spring tidal range in this area is 3.3 m. Surveys were conducted when the lateral visibility was =10 m. Snorkeling was carried out along the major axis of transects in a straight line pattern to permit a clear view of the transect boundaries. Fish counts were made by snorkeling slowly, avoiding quick movements or splashing, down the long axis of the transect. Species and abundance of individuals > 15 cm total body length present within the transects were recorded on a slate. Sampling time was standardized at 8 minutes per transect (per 800 m2). The sides of adjacent transects were separated by 3 m and the time interval between successive visual sampling was approximately 5 minutes. Fishes did not seem to be either attracted or repelled by the observer.