The Status of Coral Reefs in Bali

Abstract

Coral reefs in Brazil are distributed along 3,000 km of the Brazilian Northeastern coast, and represent the only coral reef ecosystem in the South Atlantic. In 2002, the Brazilian Ministry of Environment funded a pilot project to assess the status of conservation of Brazilian reefs using the global methods of Reef Check. Six representative regions of Brazilian reefs, between latitudes 3° and 18°S, were chosen for the assessment, including four coastal areas, one oceanic island and one atoll. The selected reefs were located inside the boundaries of marine protected areas of the two main types established in Brazil: fully protected and sustainable use, where extraction is allowed. Intensity of use in this last category was variable, largely depending on local conditions such as human population densities and management regimes. From March 2002 to April 2003, Reef Check surveys were conducted in several sites within this regions. A geographic information system was built using LANDSAT imagery. Reef Check methods were adapted to fit local requirements while permitting collection of the same basic data. Hard coral cover varied between 5 to 35%. Higher cover was found at Abrolhos reefs. Specific hard coral composition varied between regions, with lower diversity of corals registered at northern reefs. Indicator species of fish, including Lutjanids, Scarids, Serranids and ornamental species were significantly less abundant in areas were fishing and collecting were allowed. The same pattern was observed for commercially exploited species of lobster and octopus. Larger species of groupers were generally absent of all areas with very few exceptions. In the summer of 2003 a synchronized bleaching event was recorded. This is the first large scale event registered and shows the importance of large scale monitoring in Brazil.