Award Abstract # 8716726
Effects of the 1982-83 El Nino Event on Tropical, Eastern Pacific Coral Reefs: Disturbance, Recovery and Retrospective Analyses

NSF Org: OCE
Division Of Ocean Sciences
Recipient: UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
Initial Amendment Date: January 19, 1988
Latest Amendment Date: August 6, 1990
Award Number: 8716726
Award Instrument: Continuing Grant
Program Manager: Phillip R. Taylor
OCE
 Division Of Ocean Sciences
GEO
 Directorate for Geosciences
Start Date: January 15, 1988
End Date: December 31, 1990 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $397,059.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $397,059.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 1988 = $149,025.00
FY 1989 = $125,232.00

FY 1990 = $122,802.00
History of Investigator:
  • Peter Glynn (Principal Investigator)
    pglynn@rsmas.miami.edu
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: University of Miami
1251 MEMORIAL DR
CORAL GABLES
FL  US  33146-2509
(305)421-4089
Sponsor Congressional District: 27
Primary Place of Performance: DATA NOT AVAILABLE
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): KXN7HGCF6K91
Parent UEI: VNZZYCJ55TC4
NSF Program(s): BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY,
SHIP OPERATIONS,
LATIN AMERICA, SDC,
SCIENCE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIE,
CROSS-DIRECTORATE PROGRAMS
Primary Program Source:  
Program Reference Code(s): 1650, 9232
Program Element Code(s): 165000, 541100, 592600, 592900, 912000
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.050

ABSTRACT

The severe 1982-83 ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) event caused historically unprecedented and catastrophic disturbances to the Eastern Pacific coral reefs. In the aftermath of this event, disturbances to the reefs have continued and may have accelerated. Coupled with low coral recruitment, reef recovery could well take many years. The ecological effects and cause(s) of this regional disturbance have been investigated by a team of Latin and North American colleagues and students in Costa Rica, Panama, and Ecuador (Galapagos Islands) from 1983 to 1984 (Smithsonian Institution support) and from 1985 to 1987 (NSF support). This proposal focuses on coral reef recovery, disturbance processes per se, and retrospective analyses to be studied by a multidisciplinary, international team. Secondary or delayed disturbance effects that will be studied are (a) the disruption of biotic barriers allowing predator (Acanthaster planci) entry to coral prey refugia, (b) predator (corallivore) concentration on surviving coral prey, (c) post-El Nino sea urchin bioerosion of damaged reef frames, (d) damselfish colonization of damaged massive corals, and (e) damselfish/sea urchin/corallivore interactions vis-a-vis massive coral survival. Recovery processes will be studied chiefly with respect to the recruitment of calcifying organisms (corals and coralline algae) onto formerly occupied reef surfaces including examiniation of patch size, character of colonists (asexual or sexual propagules), and relative abundances of surrounding species. Retrospective studies (sclerochronology, oxygen and carbon stable isotope analyses, cadmium analysis, and fluorescent banding patterns) will also be performed on coral cores dating back at least to 1601 to provide a long-term record of ENSO disturbances. Since it is likely that major El Nino disturbances are recurring events, such information should provide a firm basis for understanding the processes controlling coral reef development and distribution in the tropical eastern Pacific.

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