Habitat Monitoring

Benthic Habitats have been the focus of study for several GMI scientists at sites throughout the world. Locations for which habitat monitoring or assessment have taken place include: the Western Atlantic (Caribbean: Puerto Rico, St. Croix, Cuba, Florida), Gulf of Mexico (Flower Gardens), Pacific (Hawaii), and Indian Ocean (Diego Garcia).

These studies have included combining technology with regional knowledge. Within the context of these programs GMI scientists have conducted:

  • Long-term Habitat Monitoring
  • Baseline Assessments
  • Remote Sensing (hyperspectral, LIDAR)
  • Data Collection and Analysis Incorporation of Digital Imagery (aerial analysis, photo mosaic)
  • Habitat Mapping (GIS)
  • Ground Truthing (via scientific diving)

Related Projects

Assessment and Management of Coral Reefs, Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory

At Diego Garcia, coral reef resources are significant and/or potentially at risk of accelerated degradation. GMI marine scientists assessed the coral reefs (benthos and fishes) of Diego Garcia atoll and seaward reefs following the 1998 mass coral mortality in the Indian Ocean. GMI scientists established the basic protocols with emphasis on evaluating the distribution and health of sessile benthic organisms (algae, sea grass, soft and stony corals); selected macro-scopic benthic mollusks and echinoderms; sharks; and high trophic level bony fishes. We also:

  • Evaluated the “undisturbed” condition of the marine resources in the near-shore habitats, and determined the major natural environmental factors that control community structure
  • Determined the extent of environmental change caused by man-induced actions
  • Evaluated the significance of the man-induced changes
  • Determined what mitigation, if any, is appropriate and feasible to reduce man induced changes in the future actions

The final report became an appendix to the Diego Garcia Natural Resources Management Plan. In addition, based upon this report, we will also provide recommendations for the marine natural resources section of the Natural Resources Management Plan.

Coral Reef Monitoring Protocol Development, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

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 10 using field reconnaissance and satellite mapping information. At each of the 10 study sites, we surveyed and fully documented approximately 2500 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 6000 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.

Seagrass Bed Mitigation and Monitoring, Vieques Ferry Terminal, Vieques Island, Puerto Rico

GMI's Scientific Dive Team provided compensatory mitigation of seagrass bed resources on behalf of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority for the unavoidable losses of 780 m2 of seagrass bed by the construction of the Vieques Ferry Terminal – Cargo Ferry Landing (Mosquito Pier). We harvested 780 plugs of seagrass and transplanted 533 plugs of seagrass containing Thallassia testudinum, and/or Halodule wrightii or Syringodium filiforme from ten donor sites in the immediate vicinity of the area.

In July 2005, our scientific dive team assessed the baseline conditions of the transplanted seagrass community developed in April 2005. The baseline conditions were determined by the number of plugs that survived the transplant, the aerial extension of the plugs, and the number of shoots per plug. GMI scientific divers have conducted quarterly monitoring of the condition, growth, and cover of the transplanted plugs during the year that followed the planting and will conduct bi-annual monitoring for four years thereafter.