result of differences in wave action. The northern coast is exposed to more wave
action resulting from northeast trade winds and North Atlantic winter storms
(Ruiz-Ramos et al. 2011).
14.1.2 Shelf Morphology
Puerto Rico is crossed by two important geological troughs, the Muertos Trough in
the south with a depth of 5,000 m and the Puerto Rico Trench, the deepest
submarine trough ([8,400 m) in the Atlantic Ocean, located approximately 55 km
off the north coast. The ocean depth, shelf, and slope morphology varies greatly in
Puerto Rico (Morelock et al. 1977). The shelf off the northern and northwestern
coasts is narrow (3 km wide, Fig. 14.1) and is subjected to strong wave action
during the winter season (December–March). Along the southern coast, the shelfedge drops off at a depth of about 200 m with an almost vertical and abrupt steep
slope in some areas (García-Sais et al. 2005). Also along the southern coast is a flat
platform (*10 km wide) at a depth of about 30 m located between Salinas and
Ponce municipalities. The eastern coast is broad compared to the rest of the island
and has a wider shelf (Fig. 14.1). This area is partially protected by a cordillera
aligned between Culebra and Fajardo, the Cordillera Reefs System (CRS). The
southern coast is usually characterized by lower wave energy. However tropical
storms and southern trade winds can affect this area. In the west, the Mona Passage
has an average depth of 400 m, but some areas are more than 1,000 m deep. Puerto
Rico has 3,370 km
2 of fringing coral reefs surrounding the main island and also
Culebra, Vieques, Mona, Monito, and Desecheo (García-Sais et al. 2005).
14.1.3 Oceanographic Conditions
Coastal currents around Puerto Rico are mainly driven by tides and wind. The tide
along the north and western coast is semidiurnal and diurnal along the south coast
(Morelock et al. 1977). Wind driven currents are dominated by the easterly trade
winds, which push surface waters towards the west. Near bottom waters tend to
reverse the flow during times of weak easterly winds.
The main objective of this chapter is to describe the species diversity and
distribution of echinoderms around Puerto Rico. We also want to present a
comprehensive historical account of echinoderm research carried out in Puerto
Rico. Lastly, recommendations are given for future ecological echinoderm
research and management strategies that seem fit for the conservation of echinoderms in Puerto Rico.
14 Review of Echinoderm Research in Puerto Rico
439
action resulting from northeast trade winds and North Atlantic winter storms
(Ruiz-Ramos et al. 2011).
14.1.2 Shelf Morphology
Puerto Rico is crossed by two important geological troughs, the Muertos Trough in
the south with a depth of 5,000 m and the Puerto Rico Trench, the deepest
submarine trough ([8,400 m) in the Atlantic Ocean, located approximately 55 km
off the north coast. The ocean depth, shelf, and slope morphology varies greatly in
Puerto Rico (Morelock et al. 1977). The shelf off the northern and northwestern
coasts is narrow (3 km wide, Fig. 14.1) and is subjected to strong wave action
during the winter season (December–March). Along the southern coast, the shelfedge drops off at a depth of about 200 m with an almost vertical and abrupt steep
slope in some areas (García-Sais et al. 2005). Also along the southern coast is a flat
platform (*10 km wide) at a depth of about 30 m located between Salinas and
Ponce municipalities. The eastern coast is broad compared to the rest of the island
and has a wider shelf (Fig. 14.1). This area is partially protected by a cordillera
aligned between Culebra and Fajardo, the Cordillera Reefs System (CRS). The
southern coast is usually characterized by lower wave energy. However tropical
storms and southern trade winds can affect this area. In the west, the Mona Passage
has an average depth of 400 m, but some areas are more than 1,000 m deep. Puerto
Rico has 3,370 km
2 of fringing coral reefs surrounding the main island and also
Culebra, Vieques, Mona, Monito, and Desecheo (García-Sais et al. 2005).
14.1.3 Oceanographic Conditions
Coastal currents around Puerto Rico are mainly driven by tides and wind. The tide
along the north and western coast is semidiurnal and diurnal along the south coast
(Morelock et al. 1977). Wind driven currents are dominated by the easterly trade
winds, which push surface waters towards the west. Near bottom waters tend to
reverse the flow during times of weak easterly winds.
The main objective of this chapter is to describe the species diversity and
distribution of echinoderms around Puerto Rico. We also want to present a
comprehensive historical account of echinoderm research carried out in Puerto
Rico. Lastly, recommendations are given for future ecological echinoderm
research and management strategies that seem fit for the conservation of echinoderms in Puerto Rico.
14 Review of Echinoderm Research in Puerto Rico
439