Baseline Assessment of the Coral Reef Habitat in Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park Adjacent to the Shores at Kohanaiki Development, 2006-2007 

Date
2014-06
Authors
Marrack, Lisa
Beavers, Sallie
Weijerman, Mariska
Most, Rebecca
Contributor
Advisor
Department
Instructor
Depositor
Speaker
Researcher
Consultant
Interviewer
Annotator
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Volume
Number/Issue
Starting Page
Ending Page
Alternative Title
Abstract
This study provides current-condition baseline data and long-term monitoring methodology for coral reef habitats within the northern portion of Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park for 2006-2007. The Park contains approximately 596 acres of coral reefs, state-designated pristine coastal waters, and unique coastal aquatic ecosystems such as Hawaiian fishponds and anchialine pools. The Park is located on the rapidly urbanizing Kona Coast on the west side of Hawai'i Island and will be surrounded by large-scale developments that include a golf course; commercial, light industrial, and residential developments; and a possible harbor expansion resort complex. Coastal development in the Kailua-Kona area will also impact the Park's reefs through increases in fishing, anchoring, and recreational use. Worldwide, coastal development has had profound impacts on coral benthic communities, and is implicated in shifts from coral dominance to algal dominance with resulting loss of habitat for reef organisms. In response to the construction of the "Shores at Kohanaiki" development adjacent to the Park's north boundary, this study was initiated to establish a current baseline and to identify changes in percent coral cover, algal cover, and coral survival over time at two habitat zones within Kohanaiki Reef compared to two reference sites. In Spring 2006, Fall 2006, and Summer 2007, pre-development baseline data were collected on (1) randomly selected photo transects, (2) individual corals, and (3) macroinvertebrate densities to monitor coral reef health. Benthic cover at all three sites was primarily composed of coral, turf algae, and crustose coralline algae. Mean coral cover at Kohanaiki Reef as a whole remained stable throughout the 17-month study period, varying from 30.7 to 34.3%. Macroalgae were a minor component, comprising less than 1% cover at all sites on all survey dates except at Kohanaiki Reef vertical-wall sites where macroalgae were approximately 4.5% of benthic cover. Grazing urchin populations were present at all sites, averaging 6.0 urchins/m2 +/- SD 2.8. Acanthaster planci were present, but uncommon. Porites Tissue-Loss Disease was encountered on several Porites lutea colonies at the Kaloko Reference Site in the summer of 2006, and Porites Trematodiasis was observed throughout the study at all sites. Partial bleaching was widespread on Pocillopora meandrina heads at Kohanaiki Reef in October of 2005, but corals had recovered or died by the time of our surveys. Results indicate that the study design and survey methods are robust and have a good probability of correctly identifying >10% absolute change in coral cover over time.
Description
Reports were scanned in black and white at a resolution of 600 dots per inch and were converted to text using Adobe Paper Capture Plug-in.
Keywords
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park (Hawaii), Coral reef ecology -- Hawaii -- Hawaii Island., Coral reefs and islands -- Monitoring -- Hawaii -- Hawaii Island., Benthos -- Monitoring -- Hawaii -- Hawaii Island.
Citation
Marrack L, Beavers S, Weijerman M, Most R. 2014. Baseline assessment of the coral reef habitat in Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park adjacent to the Shores at Kohanaiki development, 2006-2007. Honolulu (HI): Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, University of Hawaii at Manoa. Technical Report, 190. 58 pages.
Extent
Format
Geographic Location
Time Period
Related To
Table of Contents
Rights
CC0 1.0 Universal
Rights Holder
Local Contexts
Email libraryada-l@lists.hawaii.edu if you need this content in ADA-compliant format.