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 20th � 25th, 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) |