Cruise Report Republic of Palau

Transcription

1 Cruise Report Republic of June 22 July 13, 2017 Contributing Authors Dr. Stuart Sandin 1 Dr. Brian Zgliczynski 1 Lindsay Bonito 1 1 Scripps Institution of Oceanography Report prepared on 22 August

2 Expedition Team Scripps Institution of Oceanography Dr. Stuart Sandin, Chief Scientist, Associate Professor Dr. Brian Zgliczynski, Postdoctoral Researcher Lindsay Bonito, Staff Researcher Samantha Clements, Staff Researcher Mike Fox, Graduate Student Beverly French, Graduate Student The Nature Conservancy Zach Caldwell, Diving Safety Officer Moss Landing Marine Lab Dr. Scott Hamilton, Associate Professor CARMABI Dr. Mark Vermeij, Director Coral Reef Research Foundation June, Research Assistant Dr. Steve Lindfield, Researcher 2

3 Executive Summary The 100 Island Challenge team based at Scripps Institution of Oceanography chartered the M/V Siren, a liveaboard dive vessel that exclusively conducts dive charters throughout the region to survey coral reef habitat around the Republic of. The goal of this research expedition was to conduct high-resolution ecological surveys of the nearshore coral reef habitats of the southern islands of (Sonsorol, Fanna, Pulo Anna, Tobi, Helen Reef, and Merir), in addition to the main islands of (Babeldoab, Angaur, and Kyangel). Thte research team was comprised of scientists from across the globe and various agencies, including Moss Landing Marine Lab (USA), CARMABI (Curacao), Coral Reef Research Foundation (), The Nature Conservancy (USA), and OneReef (USA). The Sandin Lab has a longstanding relationship with the non-profit agency OneReef, which provides invaluable support to work in Micronesia, and provided extensive support for this three-week expedition in. To accomplish the scientific goals of this research expedition, the team employed a collection of standardized approaches to quantify the structure and workings of the fish and benthic communities found at each island. In order to contextualize the coral reef habitats, temperature loggers were deployed across the surveyed islands to monitor temperature regime. Following an expeiditon to the southwest islands of in December, 2014, temperature loggers that had been deployed were also recovered. Generally, survey sites were identified randomly and each site was separated by 1-2 km of linear distance along the reef. In some cases (14 sites), sites that has been established in previous expeditions in 2014 and 2016 were re-surveyed to document and quantify change in the benthic and fish communities. Each site was georeferenced and by using standardized methods we are able to contextualize the status of coral reefs of with reefs through the Pacific as part of the SIO Sandin Lab 100 Island Challenge (100islandchallenge.org). In total, 86 photomosaics were collected across 8 islands in the southwest islands of and the main islands of Babeldoab, Anguar, and Kayangel. Benthic photoquadrat images were taken at 74 sites across the archipelago, in addition to 86 sites were the fish assemblage was quantified. 3

4 100 Island Challenge Description: This research initiative employs novel approaches for studying coral reef community dynamics through the application of underwater photomosaic technology. Working with colleagues from the University of Miami, we have built a camera system that allows us to capture images of large swaths of the reef surface. Further, by revisiting exact locations multiple times and replicating photography, we have an unprecedented opportunity to track the dynamics of corals and algae. With advanced image analysis, we can track how a reef community changes, addressing questions of coral growth, death, and competition that are currently unresolved. We have field-trialed this photomosaic equipment and are developing a reliable image analysis protocol. We are now poised to apply this tool to generate the large-scale data of reef community dynamics that have to date been unavailable. Further, by combining these image-based data with reliable information about the composition of the fish community, the general oceanography, and the human situation of each location, we can begin to elucidate the conditions that are more (or less) conducive to the maintenance of growing and socalled healthy coral reefs. Application to : By linking the fates of these reefs to the oceanographic conditions and to the local activities of people, we will be able to start understanding cause-and- effect pathways for reef change. Given that local-scale marine managers consistently seek information on the state of their coral reef, looking for comparisons to help guide local management. Further, by making the data that describe each reef readily available and easy to visualize, there is a terrific opportunity to increase the dialogue between the science and management communities, as well as independently among the managers looking for tangible information to improve their self-management. By working side-by- side with regional managers and partners in local NGOs (e.g., the Nature Conservancy, Conservation International), we will expand the scientific insights into the state and future of their reef areas. For more information, visit 4

5 Background Figure 1. Map of and the Southwest Islands. The Republic of contains approximately 340 islands and has a land area of 466 km 2. is a sovereign state in free association with the United States supporting a population of ~21,000 people, with most residents living in the state of Koror. 5

6 Survey Metadata Table 1. Sites surveyed to assess fish and benthic communities in Date Island Station ID Latitude Longitude Area (m 2 ) Habitat Mosaic Divers 1 Fish Divers 1 Data Collected 2 6/23/2017 Sonsorol SONS_ Forereef SMC, MV BJZ, SC F, M no 6/23/2017 Sonsorol SONS_ Forereef LTB, MF, BF SAS, ZRC F, B, M no 6/24/2017 Fanna FANN_ Forereef LTB, MF, BF SAS, ZRC F, B, M no 6/24/2017 Fanna FANN_ Forereef SMC, MV BJZ, SC F, B, M, T no 6/24/2017 Fanna FANN_ Forereef LTB, MF, BF SAS, ZRC F, B, M no 6/24/2017 Fanna FANN_ Forereef SMC, MV BJZ, SC F, B, M no 6/24/2017 Fanna FANN_ Forereef LTB, MF, BF SAS, ZRC F, B, M no 6/24/2017 Fanna FANN_ Forereef SMC, MV BJZ, SC F, B, M no 6/25/2017 Sonsorol SONS_ Forereef LTB, MF, BF SAS, ZRC F, B, M, T no 6/25/2017 Sonsorol SONS_ Forereef SMC, MV SAS, SC F, B, M no 6/25/2017 Sonsorol SONS_ Forereef LTB, MF, BF SAS, ZRC F, B, M, T no 6/25/2017 Sonsorol SONS_ Forereef SMC, MV SAS, SC F, B, M no 6/25/2017 Sonsorol SONS_ Forereef LTB, MF, BF SAS, ZRC F, B, M, T no 6/25/2017 Sonsorol SONS_ Forereef SMC, MV SAS, SC F, B, M no 6/26/2017 Pulo Anna PULO_ Forereef LTB, MF, BF SAS, BJZ F, B, M, T no 6/26/2017 Pulo Anna PULO_ Forereef SMC, MV ZRC, SC F, B, M no 6/26/2017 Pulo Anna PULO_ Forereef SMC, MV ZRC, SC F, B, M no 6/26/2017 Pulo Anna PULO_ Forereef SMC, MV ZRC, SC F, B, M no 6/26/2017 Pulo Anna PULO_ Forereef LTB, MF, BF SAS, BJZ F, B, M, T no 6/26/2017 Pulo Anna PULO_ Forereef SMC, MV ZRC, SC F, B, M no 6/26/2017 Pulo Anna PULO_ Forereef LTB, MF, BF SAS, BJZ F, B, M, T no 6/26/2017 Pulo Anna PULO_ Forereef LTB, MF, BF SAS, BJZ F, B, M, T no 6/27/2017 Tobi TOBI_ Forereef SMC, MV ZRC, SAS F, B, M no 6/27/2017 Tobi TOBI_ Forereef LTB, MF, BF BJZ, SAS F, B, M no SMC, MV, SL, 6/27/2017 Tobi TOBI_ Forereef MF SC, BJZ, F, B, M no 6/27/2017 Tobi TOBI_ Forereef SMC, MV ZRC, SAS F, B, M no 2014 Re- Survey

7 Date Island Station ID Latitude Longitude Area (m 2 ) Habitat Mosaic Divers 1 Fish Divers 1 Data Collected 2 6/27/2017 Tobi TOBI_ Forereef LTB, MF, BF ZRC, BJZ F, M, T no 6/28/2017 Tobi TOBI_ Forereef LTB, MF, SMC SC, BJZ, F, B, M no 6/28/2017 Tobi TOBI_ Forereef LTB, MF, SMC SAS, BJZ F, M no 6/28/2017 Tobi TOBI_ Forereef BF, MV SC, ZRC F, B, M, T no 6/28/2017 Tobi TOBI_ Forereef BF, MV SC, ZRC F, B, M no 6/28/2017 Tobi TOBI_ Forereef LTB, MF, SMC SAS, BJZ F, M, T no 6/28/2017 Tobi TOBI_ Forereef BF, MV SAS, ZRC F, M, T no 6/29/2017 Helen Reef HELE_ Forereef SMC, MF ZRC, BJZ F, B, M no 6/29/2017 Helen Reef HELE_ Forereef SMC, MF ZRC, BJZ F, B, M no 6/29/2017 Helen Reef HELE_ Forereef LTB, MV, BF SAS, ZRC F, B, M no 6/29/2017 Helen Reef HELE_ Forereef LTB, MV, BF SAS, SC F, B, M no 6/29/2017 Helen Reef HELE_29_OUT Forereef LTB, MV, BF SAS, SC F, B, M, T yes 6/30/2017 Helen Reef HELE_ Forereef LTB, MV SAS, BJZ F, B, M no 6/30/2017 Helen Reef HELE_ Forereef SMC, BF, MF SC, ZRC F, B, M no 6/30/2017 Helen Reef HELE_ Forereef LTB, MV SAS, BJZ F, B, M yes 6/30/2017 Helen Reef HELE_29_IN Forereef SMC, BF, MF SC, ZRC F, B, M yes 6/30/2017 Helen Reef HELE_30_OUT Forereef LTB, MV SAS, BJZ F, B, M, T yes 7/1/2017 Helen Reef HELE_15_IN Forereef LTB, MV SAS, ZRC F, B, M, T yes 7/1/2017 Helen Reef HELE_ Forereef LTB, MV SAS, ZRC F, B, M no 7/1/2017 Helen Reef HELE_ Forereef SMC,MF, BF BJZ, SC F, B, M no 7/1/2017 Helen Reef HELE_30_IN Forereef SMC,MF, BF BJZ, SC F, B, M yes 7/2/2017 Helen Reef HELE_ Forereef SMC, MF, BF BJZ, ZRC F, B, M no 7/2/2017 Helen Reef HELE_15_OUT Forereef LTB, MV SAS, SC F, B, M, T yes 7/2/2017 Helen Reef HELE_ Forereef SMC, MF, BF BJZ, ZRC F, B, M no 7/2/2017 Helen Reef HELE_21_OUT Forereef LTB, MV SAS, SC F, B, M, T yes 7/2/2017 Helen Reef HELE_ Forereef SMC, MF, BF BJZ, ZRC F, B, M no 7/2/2017 Helen Reef HELE_OR_1_OUT Forereef LTB, MV SAS, SC F, B, M yes 2014 Re- Survey 2

8 Date Island Station ID Latitude Longitude Area (m 2 ) Habitat 7/3/2017 Merir MERI_ Forereef MV, BF Mosaic Divers 1 Fish Divers 1 Data Collected Re- Survey LTB, SAS, BJZ F, B, M, T no 7/3/2017 Merir MERI_ Forereef SMC, MF SC, ZRC F, B, M no 7/3/2017 Merir MERI_ Forereef SMC, MF SC, ZRC F, B, M, T no 7/3/2017 Merir MERI_ Forereef SMC, MF SC, ZRC F, B, M no 7/3/2017 Merir MERI_ Forereef MV, BF LTB, SAS, BJZ F, B, M no 7/3/2017 Merir MERI_ Forereef MV, BF LTB, SAS, BJZ F, B, M, T no 7/4/2017 Merir MERI_ Forereef MV, BF LTB, BJZ, SC F, M no 7/4/2017 Merir MERI_ Forereef MV, BF LTB, BJZ F, M, T no 7/4/2017 Merir MERI_ Forereef SMC, MF SAS, ZRC F, B, M no 7/4/2017 Merir MERI_ Forereef SMC, MF SAS, ZRC F, B, M no 7/7/2017 Central PALA_ Forereef SMC, BF, MF LTB F, B, M, T no 7/7/2017 Central PALA_ Forereef SMC, BF, MF LTB F, B, M no 7/7/2017 Central PALA_ Forereef SMC, BF, MF LTB F, B, M, T no 7/8/2017 Central NGED_PICRC Forereef SMC, BF, MF LTB, ZRC F, M, T no 7/8/2017 Central PALA_ Forereef SMC, BF, MF LTB, ZRC F, M no 7/8/2017 Central PALA_ Forereef SMC, BF, MF LTB, ZRC F, M, T no 7/8/2017 Central SIAE_PICRC Forereef SMC, BF, MF LTB, ZRC F, M no 7/9/2017 South NGEM_PICRC Forereef SMC, BF, MF LTB, ZRC F, B, M, T no 7/9/2017 South PALA_ Forereef SMC, BF, MF LTB, ZRC F, B, M, T no 7/9/2017 South PALA_ Forereef SMC, BF, MF LTB, ZRC F, B, M no 7/10/2017 South ANG_ Forereef SMC, BF, MF LTB F, B, M, T yes 3

9 Date Island Station ID Latitude Longitude 7/10/2017 7/10/2017 7/11/2017 7/11/2017 7/11/2017 7/12/2017 7/12/2017 7/12/2017 7/12/2017 7/13/2017 7/13/2017 7/13/2017 Area (m 2 ) Habitat Mosaic Divers 1 Fish Divers 1 Data Collected Re- Survey South ANG_ Forereef SMC, BF, MF LTB F, B, M, T yes South ANG_ Forereef SMC, BF, MF LTB F, B, M yes North KAY_01B Forereef SMC, BF LTB, SL F, M, T no North KAY_ Forereef SMC, BF LTB, SL F, B, M yes North NGE_ Forereef SMC, BF LTB, SL F, B, M yes North PALA_ Forereef SMC, BF LTB, SL F, B, M, T no North PALA_ Forereef SMC, BF LTB, SL F, B, M, T no North PALA_ Forereef SMC, BF LTB, SL F, B, M, T no North PALA_ Forereef SMC, BF LTB, SL F, B, M no Central PALA_ Forereef BF, LTB BJZ, SL F, B, M no South PELE_ Forereef BF, LTB BJZ, SL F, B, M no South PELE_PICRC Forereef BF, LTB BJZ, SL F, M no 1 Divers: BF- Beverly French; BJZ- Brian Zgliczynski; LTB- Lindsay Bonito; MF- Mike Fox; MV- Mark Vermeij; SAS- Stuart Sandin; SMC- Samantha Clements; SH- Scott Hamilton; SL- Steve Lindfield; ZRC- Zach Caldwell 2 Data Collected: M- Mosaic; T- Temperature logger deployed 4

10 Benthic Photomosaic Survey Methods Benthic photomosaics were completed to collect a permanent record of reef habitat on a larger scale (100m 2 ). The benthic photomosaic system consists of a diver operating a camera system including dual SLR cameras and video camera mounted to a custom frame. The first still camera is setup to use a wide-angle 18mm focal length lens to sure high overlap among adjacent images while the second still camera uses a 55mm focal length lens to capture images with sub-cm resolution. The high-resolution wide-angle video camera serves as a backup in the event that images from the still cameras are compromised. To obtain the large image covering 10m x10m the diver operating the camera system swims a gridded pattern approximately 1.5 m above the benthos recording images at 1 sec intervals throughout the plot. A pair of lasers is mounted within the frame of the 55mm camera to provide scale in the high-resolution imagery. Images are later stitched together analytically using custom algorithms to create a single image file representative of the 100m 2 plot. Figure 3. Photomosaic Data Collection Method. Each mosaic is stitched together from ~2000 photos acquired by swimming back and forth over the reef in the pattern on the left. Figure 4. Photomosaic Processing Method. Once stitched, each mosaic is ecologically post-processed by tracing individual coral colonies and algae species of interest. Once individual colonies are traced and identified (E), data is exported and run through custom algorithms to evaluate both standard metrics including percent coral cover and more complex spatial statistics.

11 Summary Findings Figure 5. Sites surveyed around the main island, Babeldaob,in

12 Summary Findings Figure 6. Sites surveyed around the southwest islands of in

13 Summary Findings Figure 7. Sites surveyed around the southwest islands of in

14 Summary Findings Benthic Cover 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% Turf Fleshy Macro Fleshy Crust Calc Macro Nonbiological Invertebrate Soft Coral CCA Hard Coral 0% PALA_N PALA_C PALA_S FANN SONS PULO MERI TOBI HELE Figure 8. Mean percent benthic cover for major functional groups across the an archipelago. 5

15 Sample Mosaic Site: PULO_03 Island: Pulo Ana Date: June 26, 2017 Notes: 100m 2 on forereef 6

16 Photomosaic Results & Products All mosaic products are available online both on the 100 Island Challenge website and through our public Google Drive. Below are links to the photomosaics and 3D model videos from the 2017 expedition. 100 Island Challenge Google Drive YouTube Channel n Landscape 7