III.
Study Objectives
I. Search, review and catalog the available historical (archival) information on deep
reefs and associated communities around Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands.
II. Construct a digitized and geo-referenced map of the deep benthic habitats of
Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands, incorporating geo-physical (bathymetric),
hydrographic (CTD profiles) and biological (taxonomic, habitat type, photographic)
information as gathered throughout the literature review process into a
Geographical Information System (GIS) database available on a compact disk.
III. Provide a biological characterization of the sessile-benthic, motile-megabenthic
and fish communities associated with the deep hermatypic reef system at Isla
Desecheo using advanced (re-breather) diving technology. Specific objectives of
the field program at Isla Desecheo included:
a. Taxonomic identifications, density of coral colonies, diversity indices, and
quantitative determinations of percent reef substrate cover by sessile-benthic
biota (corals, sponges, algae, etc.) and abiotic categories (sand, mud, holes,
etc.) along transects encompassing a depth gradient between 30 – 50 meters
b. Taxonomic identifications and quantitative determinations (density, relative
abundance and species richness) of fishes and motile megabenthic
invertebrates across a depth gradient between 30 – 50 meters
c. Population assessments of commercially important fish species, including
species for consumption, and target species for the aquarium trade
d. Characterization of benthic habitats and preparation of bathymetric map of
the deep hermatypic reef system at Isla Desecheo
e. Digital still photographic album and DVD video of the deep reef system and
associated reef community at Isla Desecheo.
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Study Objectives
I. Search, review and catalog the available historical (archival) information on deep
reefs and associated communities around Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands.
II. Construct a digitized and geo-referenced map of the deep benthic habitats of
Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands, incorporating geo-physical (bathymetric),
hydrographic (CTD profiles) and biological (taxonomic, habitat type, photographic)
information as gathered throughout the literature review process into a
Geographical Information System (GIS) database available on a compact disk.
III. Provide a biological characterization of the sessile-benthic, motile-megabenthic
and fish communities associated with the deep hermatypic reef system at Isla
Desecheo using advanced (re-breather) diving technology. Specific objectives of
the field program at Isla Desecheo included:
a. Taxonomic identifications, density of coral colonies, diversity indices, and
quantitative determinations of percent reef substrate cover by sessile-benthic
biota (corals, sponges, algae, etc.) and abiotic categories (sand, mud, holes,
etc.) along transects encompassing a depth gradient between 30 – 50 meters
b. Taxonomic identifications and quantitative determinations (density, relative
abundance and species richness) of fishes and motile megabenthic
invertebrates across a depth gradient between 30 – 50 meters
c. Population assessments of commercially important fish species, including
species for consumption, and target species for the aquarium trade
d. Characterization of benthic habitats and preparation of bathymetric map of
the deep hermatypic reef system at Isla Desecheo
e. Digital still photographic album and DVD video of the deep reef system and
associated reef community at Isla Desecheo.
7