NCORE completes a coral reef survey for the Punta Cana
region of the Dominican Republic

September 12, 2003 - The National Center for Caribbean Coral Reef Research (NCORE) has recently sent a team of graduate students down to the Punta Cana region on the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic where they completed a week long coral reef survey.  The team included Marilyn Brandt, Wade Cooper, Cara Dickman, and Johnathan Kool who are all currently enrolled at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.  The team used the Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) methodology to complete the survey (http://www.coral.noaa.gov/agra/) that occurred from August 20^th – 25^th, 2003. This method is effective in evaluating the condition of a reef in a short period of time.  Also, the data can be compared to the AGRRA database which includes data from over fifteen countries in the Caribbean region. 

The Punta Cana survey was intended to provide an initial database of information which future NCORE activities, local managers and other scientists can use to make comparisons or management decisions.  Sixteen sites were surveyed total, including 7 shallow backreef or patch reef sites and 9 deeper forereef sites.  Three of the sites were surveyed in the Babaro region, north of Punta Cana.  A small report was recently generated for the residents of the Punta Cana Club located at the northern edge of the Punta Cana property (see links to the reports below). 

NCORE would like to thank Mr. Ted Kheel for his generosity in providing for the team’s housing and boat support. Mr. Manolo Despradel was significant source of excellent local information on the distribution of coral reefs throughout the area which was vital to our work.  (Marilyn Brandt, NCORE)

Reports Generated:

1. A Description of the Northernmost Lagoon of Punta Cana: Preliminary Report (0.2MB)
2. Results of a coral reef survey of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, with comparisons to past studies
    and other Caribbean reefs: Executive Summary (0.2MB)
3. Results of a coral reef survey of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, with comparisons to past studies
    and other Caribbean reefs: Detailed Report (21MB)
4. Map of Punta Cana (0.2MB)