Responses of Benthic Coral Reef Responses of Benthic Coral Reef Organisms to the Zoning Action PlanOrganisms to the Zoning Action Plan

Steven MillerSteven Miller11, Mark Chiappone, Mark Chiappone11, Dione Swanson, Dione Swanson22 and Leanne Ruttenand Leanne Rutten11

11Center for Marine Science, University of North CarolinaCenter for Marine Science, University of North Carolina--WilmingtonWilmington22Division of Marine Biology and Fisheries, RSMASDivision of Marine Biology and Fisheries, RSMAS--University of MiamiUniversity of Miami

Possible Benthic ResponsesPossible Benthic ResponsesOrganisms that are removed will likely respond Organisms that are removed will likely respond in terms of abundance and/or sizein terms of abundance and/or size

Organisms not directly removed may respond Organisms not directly removed may respond due to changes in predation or competitiondue to changes in predation or competition

Example:Example:

Urchin predators Urchin abundance

Algal abundance Coral recruitment

Benthic Coral Reef Organisms

Parting ThoughtsParting ThoughtsItIt’’s a mixed bag and it may take some time s a mixed bag and it may take some time for trophic effects to play outfor trophic effects to play out

The noThe no--take zones are the controlstake zones are the controls

Is fishing pressure the major driver of Is fishing pressure the major driver of change for the benthos in this system?change for the benthos in this system?

NonNon--compliance is an ongoing challengecompliance is an ongoing challenge

Some interesting experiments: Urchin Some interesting experiments: Urchin predation, Damselfishes, predation, Damselfishes, CoralliophilaCoralliophila