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The Role of Environmental Factors in Porites lobata Growth Anomalies Dynamics. Courtney S. Couch 1, Eric Grossman 2, Drew Harvell 1 1. Cornell University,

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Presentation on theme: "The Role of Environmental Factors in Porites lobata Growth Anomalies Dynamics. Courtney S. Couch 1, Eric Grossman 2, Drew Harvell 1 1. Cornell University,"— Presentation transcript:

1 The Role of Environmental Factors in Porites lobata Growth Anomalies Dynamics. Courtney S. Couch 1, Eric Grossman 2, Drew Harvell 1 1. Cornell University, 2. USGS

2 Why study growth anomalies? Growth anomalies is the most prevalent disease on West Hawai`i. – Affects coral physiology: reduced colony growth, fewer polyps and zooxanthellae, decreased reproduction, and partial or complete mortality. – Causes: largely unknown Environmental stress, water quality GA prevalence near cities

3 Objective Determine the relationship between Porites lobata growth anomaly (GA) patterns (prevalence, number of GAs/colony, and rates of linear extension and tissue loss of GAs linear extension rates and rates of tissue loss) and proximity to high submarine groundwater discharge/elevated nutrient loading.

4 Study Sites Kaloko- Honokōhau National Park Kailua Bay

5 (ANOVA, F 11.763, p=0.0047, Tukey-Kramer post hoc tests P<0.05) (ANOVA, F=6.326, P=0.022, Tukey-Kramer post hoc tests P<0.05)

6 Kaloko-Honokōhau NHP

7 Whats Next? Develop model to determine relative importance of ecological and environmental factors. Conduct higher resolution water quality samples across different tidal regimes and seasons. Incorporate other hydrological and climatological processes such as water circulation and rainfall into models (starting in winter with USGS). Conduct other diagnostics on P. lobata growth anomalies to identify causative agent.

8 Mahalonuiloa! My husband, Chris My advisor, Dr. Drew Harvell Field Assistants: – Joao Garriques – Katie Gaab – Camille Barnett – Linda Preskitt – JonathaGiddens – NiegelRozet Funding: – The Kohala Center – NOAA-GCRGP – NSF Collaborators: DAR Dr. Rebecca Vega Thurber The Kohala Center Dr. Misaki Takabayashi Keith Olson NPS USGS TNC Others: Kona Diving Company My family My Hawai`i ohana You!


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