Baseline reef health surveys at Bangka Island (North Sulawesi, Indonesia) reveal new threats.

ABSTRACT: Worldwide coral reef decline appears to be accompanied by an increase in the spread of hard coral diseases. However, whether this is the result of increased direct and indirect human disturbances and/or an increase in natural stresses remains poorly understood. The provision of baseline surveys for monitoring coral health status lays the foundations to assess the effects of any such anthropogenic and/or natural effects on reefs. Therefore, the objectives of this present study were to provide a coral health baseline in a poorly studied area, and to investigate possible correlations between coral health and the level of anthropogenic and natural disturbances. During the survey period, we recorded 20 different types of coral diseases and other compromised health statuses. The most abundant we

SUBMITTER: Ponti M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5088584 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature