GMI conducted the monitoring of the percent survival, growth, and cover of seagrass transplants as a mitigation site in Vieques, Puerto Rico. The GMI scientific dive team completed quarterly monitoring of the site’s transplanted plugs containing Thalassia testudinum, and/or Halodule wrightii or Syringodium filiforme, during the year that followed the planting. Following the first year, bi-annual monitoring was conducted for the extent of four years. Fieldwork included a SCUBA diving survey effort that encompassed the entire mitigation site. The Braun-Blanket method was used to quantitatively document each planting unit as well as random samples in the general area. GMI assessed the boundaries of the planting sites, the number of seagrass plugs that survived the transplant, the aerial extension of the seagrass plugs, and the number of shoots per seagrass plug.

GMI participated in the post-hurricane damage and recovery assessment of reefs and banks in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. The focus of the study was to distinguish natural from anthropogenic impacts on benthic natural resources and associated biota. GMI documented the effects of coral bleaching and Hurricane Rita on the reef ecosystems at East Flower Garden Bank, Sonnier Bank, and Geyer Bank. The assessments were conducted using state-of-the-art coral reef research techniques with SCUBA and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). GMI assisted in the collection of information on the benthos, fish, and standard water quality at each study site. Results of these assessments were used to document impacts in protected areas and support future natural resources management decisions.

GMI scientists developed a protocol to map (worldwide) and conduct in-depth characterization of coral reef habitats, to plan applied research to examine the causes and consequences of coral reef degradation, and to provide analysis and recommendations on conservation, mitigation, and restoration of coral reefs.

Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (GTMO), Cuba was selected as a demonstration site. We developed a standard coral reef ecosystem monitoring protocol and provided detailed mapping products of terrestrial and marine resources. We planned, coordinated, and facilitated two field expeditions at GTMO to test the monitoring protocol and gather data for mapping purposes.

We conducted an in-depth characterization of representative sites (200 meter [m] scale) within four reef systems (1 to 10 kilometer [km] scale). At each site, we documented the status of coral communities (including coral bleaching, diseases), reef fish populations, submerged aquatic vegetation, reef keystone species (e.g., long-spined urchin), and water quality (temperature, salinity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and pH). Of the sites studied, we selected ten using field reconnaissance and satellite mapping information. At each of the ten study sites, we surveyed and fully documented approximately 2,500 square meters (m2).

We provided detailed mapping products of terrestrial and marine resources. GTMO consists of approximately 80,000 acres of terrestrial and marine habitats and contains significant numbers of endangered plants and unique habitats due to its location in an isolated rain shadow created by mountains, rising to 6,000 feet (ft) that surround the base. To assist GTMO staff in the management of the base’s unique resources, our GIS staff performed extensive onsite natural resource surveys using DGPS, remote sensing analyses developed from custom collected, true color and multispectral satellite imagery, and conversion of hardcopy mapping to digital form.

GMI scientists evaluated the feasibility of widening and deepening the outer entrance channel of Port Everglades, Florida. The project was to determine (a) the extent and nature of possible impacts, (b) possible minimization of impacts, (c) the amount of mitigation required to compensate for unavoidable impacts, and (d) the extent of hardbottom habitats. GMI scientists mapped the reef habitats and collected underwater belt transect data and quantitative data of reef community characteristics and conditions, including species cover, diversity, size class distribution, and density of stony corals, gorgonians, sponges, macroalgae, and fish. In addition, GMI reviewed the plan of study and the draft report.

GMI marine scientists assessed the coral reef ecosystem of Diego Garcia atoll and seaward reefs following the 1998 mass coral mortality in the Indian Ocean. The GMI team established basic protocols, with emphasis on evaluating the distribution and health of sessile benthic organisms (soft and stony corals, algae and seagrass), and selected macroscopic benthic mollusks and echinoderms, sharks, and high trophic level bony fishes. Additionally, we evaluated the “undisturbed” condition of marine resources in near-shore habitats, and identified major natural environmental factors controlling community structure, determined the extent of environmental change caused by man-induced actions, evaluated the significance of the man-induced changes, and assessed what mitigation, if any, is appropriate and feasible to reduce man-induced changes in future actions.

The final report was included in the Diego Garcia Natural Resources Management Plan and, based upon our work, we provided recommendations for the marine natural resources section of the Natural Resources Management Plan.

GMI conducted compensatory mitigation for the unavoidable loss of 780 square meters (m2) of seagrass bed to be displaced by the planned construction of the Vieques Ferry Terminal – Cargo Ferry Landing, Mosquito Pier. We harvested 533 mat plugs of seagrass containing Thalassia testudinum, and/or Halodule wrightii or Syringodium filiforme, from ten donor sites in the immediate vicinity of the area and planted these mat plugs at the restoration site. Our scientific dive team, complemented by surface support personnel, harvested, transported, and planted seagrass mat plugs to restore the seagrass area at Mosquito Pier, Vieques. During the transport of the mat plugs, we maintained the temperature and salinity at donor-site values to prevent the desiccation of the donor mat plugs.

GMI performed a biological characterization survey of the coral reef resources of Diego Garcia atoll and seaward reefs. Particular emphasis was placed upon evaluating the distribution and health of sessile benthic organisms (algae, seagrass, soft and stony corals), selected macroscopic benthic mollusks and echinoderms, sharks, and high trophic-level bony fishes. Coral reef communities at Diego Garcia were described in 10 sites using SCUBA to conduct direct underwater observations and data collection to diving depths of 100 ft. Visual and photographic assessments were conducted. Water quality conditions (depth, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity) were collected at each site. The geographical coordinates of each site were recorded using DGPS. The assessment was done following mass coral mortality in the Indian Ocean. A peer-reviewed technical report containing the analyses of both Navy and GMI data was prepared and is used to manage the coral reef resources at Diego Garcia.