Belize Coral Bleaching Response & Management Plan

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3 Belize Coral Bleaching Response & Management Plan An Overview of the Response, Management Activities & Recommendations

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5 List of Figures List of Tables List of Acronyms Forward TABLE OF CONTENTS ii ii ii iii I. INTRODUCTION 1 1. Importance of Coral Reefs 1 2. Impact of Climate Change on Coral Reefs 2 3. Coral Bleaching in Belize 5 4. Belize Coral Reef Monitoring Network 6 5. Coral Reef Monitoring Programs in Belize 6 AGRRA 7 MBRS SMP 7 Water Quality 8 Temperature 8 II. CORAL BLEACHING EARLY WARNING ALERT SYSTEM 9 1. Developing a Coral Bleaching Response Plan 9 2. Climate Monitoring Volunteer Monitoring 13 Methodology - Roving Diver/Snorkeler 18 Data Use Scientific Monitoring 19 Methodology Bar Drop 19 Data Collection & Entry 20 Selection of Sites & Survey Dates 22 Data Use Current Conditions Reports & Communication 6. Supporting Resilience III. CONCLUSION Successes Recommendations 26 IV. REFERENCES 28 V. APPENDICES 1. Coral Watch Volunteer Bleaching Report Form NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Activity Bleaching Response Plans Coral Bleaching Data Sharing Agreement Belize Coral Reef Monitoring Network Members in i

6 List of Figures 1. Components of the Coral Bleaching Early Warning Alert System Samples of NOAA s Coral Reef Watch Coral Bleaching Thermal Stress Outlook for the Caribbean Graphs of sea surface temperatures and degree heating weeks from NOAA s Coral Reef Watch program for virtual stations at Banco Chinchorro, Mexico and Glover s Atoll, Belize (NOAA 2013) Coral Watch poster produced and distributed to marine guides and divers centers throughout Belize Belize Coral Watch Volunteer Handbook cover that was produced in collaboration with tour guide and operator associations and NGOs involved in program outreach Two- sided Coral Watch ID Card summarizes data to be recorded by program participants Template imprinted on the underwater slate available to Coral Watch volunteers Sample PVC stick embellished with electrical tape every 25 cms; red markings are 10 cm in length Section of data sheet used to record observations when deploying the Bar Drop Method. 21 List of Tables 1. Factors affecting recovery of bleached coral reefs. 4 List of Acronyms BAS Belize Audubon Society Coral BLEWS Coral Bleaching Early Warning Alert System MAR Mesoamerican Reef MBRS Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System PACT Protected Areas Conservation Trust SEA Southern Environmental Association SMP Synoptic Monitoring Program TIDE Toledo Institute for Development & the Environment TNC The Nature Conservancy UBERI University of Belize Environmental Resource Institute WWF World Wildlife Fund WQPM Water Quality Monitoring Program ii

7 Forward The launch of the Mesoamerican Reef Coral Watch Program in the region in 2008 brought about a renewed organization of coral reef practitioners in Belize. The Belize Coral Reef Monitoring Network was revitalized in 2008 with a primary mission: to conduct scientific monitoring on the impact of climate change on our coral reefs. The Coral Watch Program also aimed at recruiting stakeholders that visit the reef on a regular basis, including marine dive and snorkel guides and visitors to Belize, to become volunteers and submit reports of their observations on the reef sites they frequent. The Coral Network utilized existing methodology, created a database, and developed a Coral Bleaching Data Sharing Agreement. From the Coral Reef Monitoring Network members worked together to monitor more than 50 coral reef sites throughout Belize during coral bleaching events. While the lack of financial resources has recently curtailed that level of coral bleaching monitoring, the University of Belize s Environmental Resource Institute developed an online database in close collaboration with members of the Coral Network. The Coral Network now encourages members to conduct coral bleaching surveys when possible, enter the data into the database, and the University of Belize s Environmental Resource Institute will prepare annual reports based on the data entered. Simultaneously, the MAR Coral Watch Program also launched a program whereby stakeholders professional and recreational divers and snorkelers and fishermen- could assist scientists and submit reports of their observations after visiting reef sites throughout Belize. Training materials were developed and distributed through workshops held in coastal communities. ECOMAR coordinated the Belize Coral Watch Program since 2008 and has recently launched the Adopt A Reef Program in efforts to increase support for the Coral Watch Program and recruit additional volunteers that can monitor the condition of their favorite reefs and submit regular reports. The Coral Bleaching Early Warning Alert System unites stakeholders with common goals. Marine guides, fishermen and coastal communities depend on a healthy reef for their livelihood, and scientists and marine protected area managers, whose goals is to conserve reefs for future generations Linda Searle We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children. iii

8 Photo ECOMAR/Linda Searle

9 I. Introduction The objective of the Belize Coral Bleaching Response Plan is to provide a practical guide for marine protected areas managers and coral reef biologists to respond to the threat of climate induced coral bleaching. The report briefly describes the importance of coral reefs, the impacts of climate change on coral reefs, the history of coral bleaching in Belize and methods the Belize Coral Reef Monitoring Network and Coral Watch volunteers employ to monitor coral bleaching on coral reefs in Belize. The Belize Coral Bleaching Response Plan (BCNRP) provides detailed protocols that the Belize Coral Watch Program uses to monitor coral bleaching including the more general methodology developed for Coral Watch Volunteers that report observations on bleaching by shape of coral, and the Bar Drop methodology utilized by marine scientists that record observations of bleaching coral by the corals scientific name. The BCBRP also outlines a framework to guide implementation of management actions that can help build the resilience of coral reefs to coral bleaching events. Additional objectives of a response plan are to document and assess: I. The extent and severity of coral bleaching. II. The duration of a coral bleaching event. III. The ecological impacts of a coral bleaching event including changes to: Species diversity Relative abundance of different species Diversity and abundance of coral disease Impact on other species susceptible to coral bleaching The ability of reefs to recover IV. Other anthropogenic stresses that may affect the severity of coral bleaching and recovery in collaboration with other reef managers. V. Identification of resilient sites or factors that contribute to resiliency. 1. Importance of Coral Reefs For more than 200 million years coral reefs have constituted an essential part of Caribbean. They contain the largest diversity of species of marine life and produce more living biomass than any other marine ecosystem. Coral reefs form an integral unit with nearby seagrass beds and mangrove forests relying on each other for important ecosystem functions. The Belize Barrier Reef World Heritage Site and associated marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, have important intrinsic values. Coral reefs provide shelter and food for valuable fishery exports like Lobster, conch and fish, which support the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen and their families. Barrier reefs provide shoreline protection for private homes and business located along the entire coast of Belize. Coral reefs in Belize support a growing marine tourism industry snorkelers, divers and fishermen - come to Belize to experience the exceptional marine environment and the life it supports. These visitors support hundreds of business and 1

10 provide jobs for thousands. Corals also mitigate the impacts of climate change by removing and recycling carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) thereby reducing the amount of CO 2 in the atmosphere. Medicinal cures are also being found from coral reef organisms and coral skeletons are used in bone replacement surgeries. If there were no coral reefs in Belize, Belize would suffer greatly. When corals die, not only is there an environmental impact, but there are also great social and economic impacts. The Economic Contribution of Belize's Coral Reefs and Mangroves (Cooper, Burke, Bood 2008) report: Coral reef- and mangrove- associated tourism contributed an estimated US$150 million to $196 million to the national economy in 2007 (12 percent to 15 percent of GDP). Fishing is an important cultural tradition, as well as a safety net and livelihood for many coastal Belizeans. Annual economic benefits from reef and mangrove dependent fisheries are estimated at between US$14 16 million. Reefs and mangroves also protect coastal properties from erosion and wave- induced damage, providing an estimated US$231 to US$347 million in avoided damages per year. By comparison, Belize s GDP in 2007 was US$1.3 billion. These estimates capture only three of the many services provided by coral reefs and mangroves, and should not be considered the total value of these resources. While some people and businesses may take coral reefs for granted, with these valuable contributions to Belize s economy, without them many people would surely have a lower standard of living that could contribute to an increase in crime. Lobster, conch and fish would not find shelter and food, and the fishermen would have reduced income and would not be able to provide food and shelter for their families. If marine life on the reef were reduced, the marine tourism industry would be severely impacted; for many businesses and individuals, income and livelihoods would no longer be sufficient to support their families. The communities dependent on coral reef structure stony corals, gorgonians, sponges, crustaceans and echinoderms would not have a niche for shelter or food, and there would be no new medicines found from coral reefs. Once coral reefs disintegrate they would no longer prevent high waves from causing increasing shoreline erosion. Protecting the shelter and food afforded by coral reefs is key in providing an opportunity for many different stakeholders in Belize to be able to provide food and shelter for their families. It is therefore imperative that coral reefs be protected now before further decline occurs. 2. Impact of Climate Change on Coral Reefs Coral bleaching usually refers to pale or white coral tissue that is impacted by global warming, or climate change. The triggers of bleaching can be temperature, high irradiance, prolonged darkness, heavy metals, or disease. Climate change is a naturally occurring event exacerbated by human impacts and since the 1880s temperatures have increased 4-5 o C worldwide (Fuller 2009). The increase in temperature impacts the 2

11 symbiotic relationship that has existed between coral hosts and their symbiotic algae, collectively termed zooxanthellae, for millions of years. Increased water temperatures have a negative impact of corals since this relationship becomes stressed and the densities of zooxanthellae decrease as the stress is prolonged. If the stress causing bleaching is not too severe and if it decreases quickly, the affected corals can regain their symbiotic algae within several weeks or a few months. If the stress continues and zooxanthellae loss is prolonged the zooxanthellae populations are not recovered, partial areas of the coral colony can be invaded by disease that can spread throughout the entire colony and the coral eventually dies. When corals die the intrinsic properties provided by coral reefs are lost, and the reef no longer can provide shelter and food for other marine organisms, protection for coastal dollars. Since the 1990s regional and global bleaching events have been reported with more than 50% at some locations (Searle 2010). With forecasted increase in sea surface temperature, coral bleaching events are predicted to become more frequent with greater stress and impacts. Coral bleaching not only has negative impacts on coral and fish communities, it also affects the human communities that depend on coral reefs for food and income, especially when bleaching leads to mortality. Some of the more obvious impacts of coral bleaching and related mortality outlined in The Nature Conservancy s Reef Resilience Toolkit include: Coral reefs that bleach are weakened, and therefore unable to provide the ecosystem services on which local communities depend. For example, weakened reefs cannot provide the benefits of shoreline protection or buffering from wave energy. Bleached corals can be less visually Corals can recover if stress is reduced and if the water quality is good and surrounding reefs are healthy. Some coral colonies may retain a small quantity of zooxanthellae, or become repopulated from zooxanthellae in the water column. If the corals do die, the reefs can recover if there is good water quality, there are healthy populations of herbivorous fish that graze algae, and there is a good source of coral larvae. increasing frequency. These have been associated with warmer than normal sea water temperatures, extended periods of doldrums conditions where penetration of visible light and UV radiation may increase, and are especially common during El Niño or El Niño Southern Oscillation years. Geographically widespread coral bleaching was first reported from the southeast tropical Pacific the 1980s and in the Caribbean Sea in the 1990s. The years 1995, 1998 and 2005 were the years when severe coral bleaching occurred and in 2008 and 2009, coral were reported bleaching appealing. In contrast to the vibrancy of healthy reefs, stark bleached reefs may be less attractive to divers, and may turn them away from traditionally popular diving sites. Of course, nobody wants to see dead corals and this loss of revenue from decreased tourist activity can threaten the livelihoods of local communities. Bleached reefs dominated by species particularly sensitive to coral bleaching may change their coral composition to being dominated by species with a higher resistance or faster recovery 3

12 rate. This could result in the local loss or extinction of those susceptible species. Changes in coral species also affect the species that depend on them. Immediately following the mortality event, the most obvious effect is on fish that rely on live coral for food, shelter, or recruitment habitat. In the long term, coral communities are negatively affected. Significant declines occur in coral genetic and species diversity when corals die as a result of bleaching. Change in the size structure of the reef fish populations and assemblages when corals die as a result of bleaching. Bio- erosion and collapse of structural complexity of the reef will accelerate changes in reef communities, erosion of beaches, and loss of coral islands. Reefs that suffer substantial mortality face different challenges than those that where the majority of corals manage to survive the bleaching event. The biggest difference is a much longer time lag until returning to pre- bleaching structure, for those that have recovered versus those that have survived. How long it takes a coral community to recover from bleaching related mortality depends on a variety of factors, including the supply of larval recruits, the recruitment conditions at the site, and controls on post- recruitment survival, and growth rates. Some of these factors are further outlined below (TNC 2010) in Table 1. Table 1. Factors affecting recovery of bleached coral reefs (TNC 2010). Favorable recruitment conditions Connectivity Larval supply Grazing Natural selection Synergistic effects These include good water quality, open hard substrate for settlement, presence of coralline algae (good settlement substrate), and healthy herbivore populations. Reefs with high mortality after bleaching depend on connectivity to other sources of live corals for re- seeding. For example, it is possible for reefs receiving great numbers of larvae from other source reefs to recover in a relatively short time span (~10 years), provided that recruitment conditions are favorable. Regardless of how good recruitment conditions are (e.g., availability of substrate, presences of important herbivores) reefs that do not receive a robust supply of larvae from source reefs will be slow to recover (decades or longer). If important herbivores are missing, overgrowth by algae can slow reef recovery by taking up space that could otherwise be available to coral recruits. The recovery of coral reefs may be facilitated by settlement of larvae from nearby, more heat- resistant corals that survived the temperature- driven bleaching event. Over time, this could lead to heat- tolerant species increasing their distribution range into habitats previously dominated by other species. Factors not previously recognized as important to resilience, such as robust tissue regeneration, high competitive ability of the corals, seasonal dieback in seaweed bloom, a backdrop of an effective marine protected area system, and moderate water quality, can result in rapid coral recovery, as was the case in the Keppel Islands, Australia. 4

13 3. Coral Bleaching in Belize While coral bleaching events have occurred throughout the tropics since the 1980s, there are no records of mass bleaching along the Belize Barrier Reef until 1995, from which most coral colonies recovered (McField 1999). Subsequent years where coral bleaching was observed include 1998, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, other severe events are expected to occur. During the first mass bleaching event in 1995, McField (1999) reports that water temperature and solar radiation were elevated and wind speeds were low. Results from the study indicate: Between October November 1995, 52% of corals surveyed were affected by bleaching, compared to only 7% in May No spatial trends were found, although some taxa had significantly different levels of bleaching at different depths. A positive correlation was found between the relative abundance and the percent affected of different taxa, indicating that bleaching may act to increase diversity if mortality occurs. By May 1996, 25% of the originally bleached, tagged specimens experienced at least partial tissue mortality, and it is estimated that approximately 10% of all coral colonies experienced some partial tissue mortality by May 1996 as a result of this bleaching event. Such bleaching- induced partial tissue mortality may decrease the structural integrity of the reef framework and decrease the ecological competitiveness of corals and other symbiotic reef organisms. The worst coral bleaching event in Belize occurred in 1998 that was compounded by Mitch, a category five hurricane, that passed through causing damaging waves and extensive fresh water run- off passed the main Barrier Reef for several months. Seven years later, in 2005, reefs in Belize were once again impacted by climate change and reefs exhibited signs of bleaching. McField et al (2008) summarized the impacts of climate change on reefs in the Mesoamerican region: Mass bleaching events in 1995, 1998 and 2005 have affected the reefs in the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR), although the 2005 bleaching resulted in little to no coral mortality; The 1995 event caused widespread bleaching, but minimal mortality (~10% of colonies had partial mortality in Belize); 1998 was the most significant bleaching event for the MAR, combined with a catastrophic hurricane that culminated in about 50% reduction in coral cover in Belize, with somewhat less in the other countries; Large- scale bleaching in late 2005 affected most reefs within the MAR, however, coral mortality was lower than in previous years; The active 2005 storm season may have contributed to greater mixing of oceanic waters and minimized doldrum conditions that were associated with the previous, more severe bleaching events in the MAR; Reefs in Mexico were damaged by Hurricanes Wilma and Emily, but most of the other 2005 storms passed through the Yucatan channel into the Gulf of Mexico without causing substantial damage to reefs; The devastating coral bleaching and hurricanes of 1998 initiated the planning for potential adaptation and mitigation strategies into reef management efforts; 5

14 The bleaching and hurricanes in 2005 may have further delayed potential recovery from the bleaching- related losses in 1995 and 1998; and Coral cover throughout the region remains moderately low, with little to no overall recovery from the 1998 losses. Between September 2008 and April 2010 members of the Coral Network monitored impacts of coral bleaching at sites throughout Belize. Results indicate that during the event the southern reefs were affected more than the northern reefs, and in the following year, from , the opposite occurred and the northern reefs were more impacted (Searle, Bach & Day 2012). Analysis of the results is underway. 4. Belize Coral Reef Monitoring Network Revitalizing the Belize Coral Reef Monitoring Network, which was originally established in 1999, was one of the first activities undertaken in Belize when the Mesoamerican Coral Reef Watch Program was launched in Members of the Coral Network include government departments, non- government organizations and educational institutions involved in coral reef management and/or monitoring. A list of the current organizations that are members can be found in the Appendix. Elections for the position of Chair and secretary are held every two years. The first officer posts in 2008 were held by the Belize Fisheries Department and ECOMAR, and in 2013, TIDE and WCS hold the current officer positions of chair and secretary. The Belize Coral Reef Monitoring Network meets quarterly to discuss current events that affect the coral reef ecosystem and works together to standardize monitoring methods and plan future activities. The following guidelines have been jointly prepared to oversee activities of the Coral Network: Terms of Reference Coral Bleaching Data Sharing Agreement National Coral Reef Monitoring Workplan. 5. Coral Reef Monitoring Programs in Belize Long term monitoring of coral reefs in Belize has taken place by visiting researchers based at established field stations and by biologists working for MPA managers. Visiting researchers utilize established methodology for their area of expertise, while members of the Belize Coral Reef Monitoring Network use regional methodology to document condition of reefs. Most of these methodologies are integrated into the member organization s annual workplan. Presented here are methods that have a coral bleaching monitoring component, or complement coral bleaching monitoring. 6

15 AGRRA The Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) Program is an international collaboration of scientists and mangers aimed at determining the regional condition of reefs in the Western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico (Lang et al 2010). AGRRA is the first and only program that has developed an extensive regional database on Caribbean coral reef condition. Using an innovative regional approach to examine the condition of reef- building corals, algae and fishes, our teams of reef scientists have assessed 819 reef areas at 39 sites throughout the region. Already our preliminary findings have provided valuable baseline data for scientists and government officials responsible for selecting marine protected areas and maintaining their condition. Over 100 scientists and resource managers have joined AGRRA to conduct capacity training workshops, field assessments, data analysis and prepare results for publication and press releases. MBRS SMP The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Systems Synoptic Monitoring Program (MBRS SMP) is a regional effort that involves the countries of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico with the objective of compiling data and information about the health of the coral reefs and associated ecosystems as well as key species in the Mesoamerican Region to provide a solid scientific base of information for its short, medium and long- term management (2003). The methodology of the MBRS SMP is based on the AGGRA methodology and the following parameters are recorded: Benthic Cover - corals, algae, sponges, encrusting coralline algae, Millepora Condition of Coral Colonies species richness, diameter and height of coral colonies, mortality, disease, bleaching of scleractinian corals The goals of the AGRRA Project are to: Complete the regional assessment of the health of coral reefs throughout the Western Atlantic; Analyze the results and develop a database so as to establish a practical scale of comparative reef condition; and Promote the transfer of this information to a wider audience including the general public, resource managers, government officials, policy makers, tourist operators, and students. The AGRRA method includes a category for bleached coral. Healthy Reefs Initiative conducts annual training workshops on AGRRA and utilizes this methodology in their biennial Healthy Reefs Report Card (Healthy Reefs 2008, 2010, 2012) Fish Density total and by family, size structure, biomass, density of recruits Seagrass Mangroves Marine Pollution Water Quality Note under the Condition of Coral Colonies there is a component that asks observers to record observations of coral bleaching. The Fisheries Department employs this monitoring method twice annually in April and October to survey their sites. Other MPA managers employ this methodology once annually, usually in June or July. Since the close of the program Coral Network members have expressed concern about data collected and how it can be accessed. 7

16 Water Quality The Coral Network s Water Quality Monitoring Program was launched in 2011 after a widespread harmful algae bloom (HAB) impacted a majority of coastal waters in Belize. Surface water along the coast was saturated with microscopic algae and there were reports of isolated die offs of spiny lobster and queen conch. The HAB was so severe that it also negatively impacted the shallow water patch reefs. Between Belize City and Gladden Spit visibility was less than Temperature Researchers have deployed digital temperature loggers in Belize since the 1990s. The Coral Network has compiled a list of locations where temperature loggers are deployed and have discussed uploading the data to the UBERI database so that the data captured by temperature loggers can be layered with the results from coral bleaching monitoring. This will be especially valuable for sites that have temperature data and are monitored for coral bleaching severity. Currently two types of temperature data loggers are being used within Belize, both 1 meter. This impacted the marine tourism industry since visitors were not able to see the reef while snorkeling. While the exact cause of the HAB in 2011 has not been identified, increased nutrient and fresh water run- off associated with Hurricane Richard in 2010, is one theory. Coral Network members have discussed layering the resulting data captured from this monitoring effort with data collected on coral bleaching at select sites. HOBO models made by Onset. The most common one deployed is the HOBO Water Pro V2 Logger Model U and the other is Model UA The HOBO PRO V2 water temperature logger is designed for durable underwater temperature monitoring and recording. The logger features 12- bit resolution, rugged case design and non- volatile EEPROM memory and is equipped with an Optic USB interface for data offload in the field, even when the logger is wet. A protective boot is available for added protection and extremely rugged environments. 8

17 III. Coral Bleaching Early Warning Alert System 1. Developing a Coral Bleaching Response Plan Foreseeing that the impacts of climate change on coral reefs would be increasing, The Nature Conservancy and World Wildlife Fund created the Mesoamerican Coral Reef Watch Program (MAR Coral Watch) in 2008 with the goal of developing an Early Warning Alert System for Coral Bleaching with the goal of identifying and conserving resilient reefs. This Coral Bleaching Early Warning Alert System (Coral BLEWS) is essentially a bleaching response plan in action (Figure 1). While many activities were launched in 2008, including the production of a Coral Watch Program Bleaching Report form (Appendix 1), none specifically described the production of a Coral Bleaching Response Plan. However, as Coral Network members incorporated coral bleaching monitoring in their research and as ECOMAR reached out to stakeholders in coastal communities, the need to document the management activities became apparent. In 2009 NOAA s Coral Reef Conservation Program Office and Healthy Reefs Initiative coordinated a Coral Bleaching Workshop in Belize City. NOAA s online tools available for reef managers were presented to Coral Network members. Participants also worked together and prepared Draft Coral Bleaching Response Plans (Appendix 2). The guidelines in the plans summarized the activities that had been ongoing since 2008 when the Coral Watch program was launched in the MAR. In Sep 2011 ECOMAR and partners coordinated a Coral Bleaching Workshop were participants reviewed the Draft Coral Bleaching Response Plan, methodology, participated in a field exercise, and worked with the online coral bleaching database launched by UB ERI. The Coral BLEWS plan is based on the founding premise of the MAR Coral Watch program and has six main components that are dependent on each other and include: Climate monitoring weather reports Volunteer Monitor Roving Diver/Snorkeler Growth Form Scientific monitoring Bar Drop Current conditions reports - summarize results Communication - sharing results with stakeholders, gov t department heads, MPA managers and other members of the scientific community Supporting resilience - Generate reports summarizing findings with the goal of identifying resilient reefs, or factors that may contribute to reef resiliency. The remainder of this section reviews each component in detail. 9

18 Figure 1. Components of the Coral Bleaching Early Warning Alert System. 2. Climate Monitoring Coral Network members can access tools provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that summarize weather conditions and predict impact on coral reefs. The following products are available to coral reef biologists and marine park managers to monitor onset of a coral bleaching event: Seasonal Coral Bleaching Thermal Stress Outlook Sea surface temperature and degree heating weeks at NOAA s Virtual stations at Banco Chinchorro, Mexico and Glover s Atoll, Belize. Seasonal Coral Bleaching Thermal Stress Outlook (Figure 2) is updated weekly and forecasts the coral bleaching thermal stress outlook for a period of four months and forecasts four potential stress levels: 1. Watch 2. Warning 3. Alert Level 1 4. Alert Level 2 NOAA has established 46 virtual stations in the Atlantic Ocean of which 23 are located in the Caribbean Sea. Members of the Coral Network can monitor two, one at Glover s Atoll, Belize and another at Banco Chinchorro, Mexico. Coral Network members that monitor reefs in northern Belize are able to assess potential stress levels by monitoring the Banco Chinchorro virtual station, while those members monitoring reefs in southern Belize can monitor the virtual station at Glover s Atoll. Each station charts sea surface temperature against degree heating weeks (Figure 3) 10

19 which may result in five different levels of bleaching: 1. No Stress 2. Bleaching Watch 3. Bleaching Warning 4. Alert Level 1 5. Alert Level 2 Figure 2. Samples of NOAA s Coral Reef Watch Coral Bleaching Thermal Stress Outlook for the Caribbean (NOAA 2013). 11

20 Figure 3. Graphs of sea surface temperatures and degree heating weeks from NOAA s Coral Reef Watch program for virtual stations at Banco Chinchorro, Mexico and Glover s Atoll, Belize (NOAA 2013). 12

21 3. Volunteer Monitoring The Coral Watch Program highlighted the important contribution of marine guides that visit the reef regularly. This group of stakeholders relies on the reef for their livelihoods and visits reef sites regularly and can notice changes in a timely manner. Becoming a Coral Watch Volunteer was designed to be easy so that marine guides could take ownership of the reefs they visit and regularly submit their observations. ECOMAR, with support from project partners, developed training materials for the Coral Watch Volunteers in efforts to get them actively submitting reports on their reef sites. The following materials were produced and distributed through outreach workshops and to those who requested more information. Coral Watch DVD Posters & Stickers How- to Newsletter Volunteer Handbook Laminated ID Cards Underwater Slates with data recording template Volunteer Membership Cards The 10- minute mini- documentary on the Coral Watch Program is available for viewing online or upon request with the Coral Watch materials. This short piece summarizes the reasons for launching the program and how easy it is for marine guides and tourists to become volunteers. The Coral Watch poster produced in Belize is a colorful education tool displayed at dive centers to attract tourism interest (Figure 4) and initially stickers were made that dive centers could display on their store window announcing they participated in the program. The accompanying printed newsletter reiterates key concepts and the Belize Coral Watch Volunteer Handbook (Figure 5) acts as a reference manual for volunteers. The laminated ID Coral Watch Volunteer ID Cards (Figure 6) are designed to be taken on the boat for easy reference before becoming submerged to record observations and the Coral Watch Slate has a preprinted template on one side to record observation (Figure 7) and one side to record other significant observations like other species bleaching or unique sightings. Volunteers can record observations taken at two sites and then submit the data online with pictures on the ECOMAR website. A summary of reports are produced monthly and shared on ECOMAR s website and with members of the Coral Network. In 2010 ECOMAR launched the Adopt A Reef Program whereby marine guides and dive centers could adopt their favorite reef sites and monitor them and submit regular reports. In 2013 ECOMAR launched an annual Membership Program with different levels available for interested persons and dive centers and resorts. Next Page Figure 4. Coral Watch poster produced and distributed to marine guides and dive centers throughout Belize. 13

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23 Figure 5. Cover (back and front) of the Belize Coral Watch Volunteer Handbook that was produced in association with tour guide and operator associations and NGOs involved in program outreach. Next 2 Pages Figure 6. Two- sided Coral Watch ID Card summarizes data to be recorded by program participants. 15

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26 Methodology - Roving Diver/Snorkeler Prior to participating in the program each observer should become familiar with the information outlined in the training materials or participate in a training workshop available at tour guide associations and dive centers throughout Belize. Each participant will learn to distinguish between coral bleaching and disease, and the level of bleaching severity as Pale, Part Bleached or Whole Bleached. The Roving Diver technique does not require the observer to know coral species by name, and only the shape of the growth must be identified. Once the program is completed then volunteers are ready to record and submit observations from the sites they visit. As the observer dives or snorkels when a Pale, Part Bleached, or Whole Bleached coral colony is observed a hash mark is placed in the appropriate column for the growth form observed. It is extremely important that observations are submitted even when no bleaching is observed. Only in this way can we report that in XYZ months there was no bleaching. Figure 7. Template imprinted on the underwater slates available to Coral Watch participants. Data Use ECOMAR prepares monthly summaries of reports received and when a report indicates that more than five coral colonies are whole bleached the Coral Network will be notified and the nearest Coral Network member will investigate the report by visiting the site and making an assessment. If the report is confirmed then members of the Coral Network will schedule a nationwide coral bleaching monitoring event. Members of the Belize Coral Reef Monitoring Network are also encouraged to employ the roving diver/snorkeler methodology designed for the Coral Watch Volunteers, and record their observations when conducting other surveys underwater. The results submitted by volunteers and biologists can then be compared 18

27 4. Scientific Monitoring The role of scientific monitoring of coral bleaching is to record impacts of climate change on our reefs. Ideally, the following impacts are to be measured: Bleaching extent and severity Mortality and survival Recovery Ecosystem Impacts are they system wide, do they impact only habitats, or only populations. Prior to commencement of the coral bleaching monitoring program, Coral Network members reviewed available methodology and chose to utilize the Bar Drop Method developed by McField (1999) to rapidly survey bleached reefs in 1995 and was later used to monitor reefs during the 1998 bleaching event. The methodology was described as being a rapid way to monitor impacts with little investment in equipment. The data collected could also be compared with the studies on coral bleaching conducted in the 1990s. Methodology Bar Drop The Bar Drop Method or the Weighted- bar Swimming- transect Method which was developed as a bleaching assessment tool in 1995 by McField (1999), modified by Kramer and Kramer (2000) to include information on disease and mortality, and modified by Arrivilliaga (2009) to permit for the measure of variability between transects. The Bar Drop Method enables observers to cover large areas of reef in either deep water, while scuba diving, or in shallow water, while snorkeling. Because no transect lines are set, more data are collected for the time expended and a larger area of reef can be covered. The method also increases the number of samples of more rare and smaller coral species as compared with traditional line intercept methods. Due to the previous use of this method, further use would allow comparisons within the Mesoamerican reef system. The Bar Drop Method utilizes a one meter, small diameter (2.54 cm) PVC tubing filled with stones or sand and capped at both ends, or left open to fill with water (Figure 8). Each bar is marked with five strips of black electrical tape (or other marking) spaced 0.25 meters apart. Thus there are five marks per bar, including the two ends. The observer swims in a straight line along a compass bearing or depth contour (parallel to the reef crest axis), holding the bar perpendicular to the line of the swimming- transect. Every three kick- cycles (one full push down and up for both legs is one kick- cycle) the bar is dropped/placed straight down onto the substrate. The number of kick cycles can be varied according to reef configuration and desired size of study area. Kramer and Kramer (2000) used 10 kicks. The species and condition of corals equal to or greater than 10 centimeters (=>10 cm) lying under the 5 marks are recorded. Condition refers to that of the entire colony and not to the individual polyps under the mark. If a mark does not fall directly on top of a coral, record the condition of the nearest coral colony to the mark that falls within a 12.5 cm radius of the mark. This distance of 12.5 cm is fairly easy to gauge since it is half the distance between any two marks. Thus the bar demarcates five adjacent but non- overlapping circles each centered on a mark. If no coral lies within a given circle no data is recorded for that mark, therefor, for each bar- drop, 19

28 anywhere from zero to five corals are assessed. As such it may be necessary to drop the bar more than 20 times to record 100 observations. While swimming, observers should look into the distance along the compass bearing and avoid looking down at the substrate until the bar is resting on the bottom. The size of each transect can be delimited by dive time, distance traveled, or number of coral condition records desired (like 100 records per transect), depending on habitat and sampling conditions. Each transect should remain within a pre- defined depth range or habitat zone. Several observers can swim parallel to each other to increase the sample size per dive at each site. Observers should remain at least ten meters apart, and cover approximately equal distances by swimming at the same speed. Bar Drop Methodology 2008 Additions When the Coral Watch program was launched in 2008, The Nature Conservancy s program coordinator outlined a series of conditions that were emphasized to ensure uniformity of data collection and importation into GIS for analysis (Arrivilliaga 2009). Where possible, more than one surveyor should record data at a given site. At each site 200 colonies are to be counted, therefor if there are two surveyors then each would count 100 colonies. After recording 50 colonies, swim 5 meters away and begin a new transect, counting 50 more colonies. Each site should therefore have 4 transects of 50 colonies each if two persons are conducting the survey. For continuity it is crucial that the sites monitored be surveyed each time and that the name of the site remains the same. Only stony corals and fire corals should be recorded. If other species are observed bleaching (soft corals, sponges or zooanthids) please make note of how many per transect. Abbreviated names of coral species should be used consistently the first letter of the genus and first three letters of the species in all caps. Methodology states that coral colonies only greater than 10 cm must be recorded. Goal is to complete six sites per area. At minimum four must be completed. There should be an equal number of deep sites and shallow sites, and preferably in close proximity to each other. For each site surveyed the GPS coordinates, map datum, reef zone and depth must be recorded. Data Collection & Entry Coral Network members that participate in the coral bleaching surveys agree to record the condition of 200 coral colonies for each of their six sites. The number of persons conducting the surveys varies from one to four persons, thus the number of persons participating in the survey determines the number of coral colonies monitored and recorded as follows: 20

29 4 persons each record 50 observations 3 persons each record 67 observations 2 persons each record 100 observations 1 person each record 200 observations Slates must be prepared in advance, or a template of the data sheet printed on waterproof paper. All data collected by members must be entered into the database within two weeks of collecting data. Members should refer to the National Coral Reef Monitoring Network Coral Bleaching Monitoring Database Manual (2012) for instructions on how to enter data. Prior to logging in to the database members must get a username and password from UBERI. A sample date sheet row is presented in Figure 9. The following details must be recorded on the data sheet: Location Date Transect Recorder Species % Recent Mortality Disease Bleaching Severity Comments Figure 8. Sample PVC stick embellished with electrical tape every 25 cms; red markings are 10 cm in length. DATA ENTRY Location Date Transect Recorder Species ABC Wall % Recent Mortality Disease Bleach Comments 1- Jan James Mfav 5 BB P fish bites Figure 9. Section of data sheet used to record observations when deploying the Bar Drop Method. Please note that each member must also record coordinates for site and provide depth details and type of reef structure surveyed. Each time coral bleaching 21

30 monitoring is scheduled the same site must be monitored. Location - Name of dive site Date - Day, Month, Year format Transect - Each observer should record 50 observations and swim 10 meters to begin another transect. Recorder - Observer name Species - Use first initial of genus and first three letters of species name Recent Mortality - The percent of old dead and recent dead (based on the intactness of non- living corallite structure) can also be recorded (as described in AGRRA methods Coral mortality estimates provide information to help determine transient and lethal effects of bleaching, disease or other disturbances. However, this estimation adds additional time spent examining each colony and will reduce the number of colonies surveyed per dive. If bleaching/disease is the focus of the study this information could be skipped. If mortality estimates are included, they include the estimation of the percent (%) of the coral that is "recently dead" and the % of the coral that is "old dead" as viewed from above in "plan" or "map" view. "Recently dead" is defined as any non- living parts of the coral in which the corallite structures are white and either still intact or covered over by a layer of algae or fine mud. Old dead" is defined as any non- living parts of the coral in which the corallite structures are either gone or covered over by organisms that are not easily removed (certain algae and invertebrates). Disease - Coral Network members may also record the presence of coral disease when conducting the surveys for coral bleaching. The following abbreviations are used for the specific diseases described below. BB = Black band WB = White band WS = White spots, patches or pox WP = White plague YB = Yellow blotch (aka yellow band) RB = Red band DS =Dark Spot disease UK = Unknown Bleaching Severity If a coral appears healthy this item can be left blank. If corals are bleaching one of 3 categories are used to describe bleaching severity. PA = Pale definite loss of pigment or lighter coloration for the species. PB = Part Bleached patches of fully bleached or some white tissue on the colony not due to other coral diseases such as white band, black band, or white plague WB = Whole Bleached over 90% totally white- bleached tissue.. Selection of Sites and Survey Dates Members of the Belize Coral Reef Monitoring Network coordinate selection of sites and dates to conduct surveys. Coral Network members that participate in the coral bleaching monitoring surveys agreed to monitor six sites within their communities: three deep water sites and three shallow water sites. Members were asked to monitor whenever possible the potentially resilient sites that were identified during the 2006 Rapid Reef Assessment launched by TNC and WWF 22

31 throughout the MAR. Subsequently, however, many of the sites monitored for coral bleaching were sites that members were already monitoring using other protocols. At quarterly meetings members will review current state of coral bleaching in Belize and discuss if any actions outlined in this plan are necessary. If severe Data Use Ecosystem impacts are evaluated and determined if they are system wide, effecting only habitats, or specific populations. This data should feed into supporting resilience of coral reefs through bleaching occurs between meetings then the Chair of the Coral Network will notify members via the Secretary that severe bleaching has been confirmed in Belize. A period of 2 weeks will be provided for members to conduct monitoring for coral bleaching at their sites. management and research. Members of the Coral Network have developed the Coral Bleaching Database Data Sharing Agreement (Appendix 3) to govern use of data collected when reports are prepared. 5. Current Conditions Report & Communication Results from all monitoring events must be utilized and distributed to stakeholders, MPA managers and decision makers in formats understandable by the recipient. ECOMAR will summarize reports received from Coral Watch volunteers using the Roving Diver/Snorkeling Methodology and will notify the Coral Network if any reports indicate there are five or more whole bleached coral colonies. Stakeholders will also be kept up to date with postings on ECOMAR website and Facebook page and through newsletters. All data collected by Coral Network members using the Bar Drop Method must be entered into the online Coral Bleaching database housed at the University of Belize Environmental Research Institute. Each member should prepare a report summarizing the results after each monitoring session and review and compare results with previous surveys and other sites. The findings from these reports can then feed into a comprehensive annual report on coral bleaching in Belize. The Coral Network should also produce a short report on impacts of climate change on coral reefs that can be shared with decision makers in government departments. Coral Network members should incorporate impacts of climate change in their outreach and education campaigns that are part of their annual work plan. The audience for these awareness campaigns can be schools, tourism associations and fishing cooperatives. 23

32 6. Supporting Resilience The Mesoamerican Reef Coral Watch Program was launched in 2008 to identify resilient reefs, identify factors that contribute to resiliency (and whether they could be replicated to effect other reefs) and to protect reefs that are confirmed to be resilient. Coral Network members involved in marine protected area management should work towards incorporate the resulting coral bleaching data so that it can aid in managing for reef resiliency within the MPAs they manage, and also to reefs outside MPAs that can contribute to resiliency in the long term. Often it is hard to focus on long- term goals that will impact future generations, but with the right tools, and existing data, ways in which coral reefs can be managed for resiliency, can be identified. Photo ECOMAR/Linda Searle 24