Project Summary for 2005–21B: Assessment of threats to Acropora palmata in the Florida Keys: Proximal causes and their relative importance to remnant populations
The remaining population Acropora palmata populations in the Florida Keys is faced with a variety of natural and anthropogenic pressures that threaten population level recovery. Our overall objective is to determine the relative importance of each threat among the remnant upper Florida Keys populations. Specific objectives to be pursued:
Six sites in the upper Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary will be established for quarterly monitoring. This study will yield population demographics on Acropora palmata; characterization of threats including predation, disease and overgrowth as well as relative importance of each threat to the persistence or recovery of this species in the Florida Keys.
The second year of this study will continue the quarterly and annual surveys of Acropora palmata in the upper Florida Keys but will provide a longer time scale for evaluating changes. Additionally a two year time frame may be more appropriate for evaluating the importance of certain threats that may occur less frequently or progress more slowly. The anticipated products of the proposed study include:
These products will provide management guidelines for the allocation of sanctuary resources. For example, results may indicate the need for certain localized management practices such as limiting snorkeler access or selective predator removal. Additionally, results may help research agencies target funding towards determining the ultimate cause(s) of the most significant threat.
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