Factoid/2003/03/24
From Beachapedia
< Beachapedia:Factoid | 2003 | 03
Construction Sediment Runoff Bad for Elkhorn Coral
- "An outbreak of disease (patchy necrosis) was recorded on Acropora palmata at Steps Reef during 1996. The occurrence of the disease may be associated with high sediment loads that affected corals at the time of construction of a residential structure across the street from Steps. The construction project involved removal of all trees, and the land was bulldozed, exposing the underlying sediment. Unfortunately, this occurred during the rainy period in summer, and run-off was exacerbated. Fortunately, the amount of sediment run-off declined within a few weeks, and the disease outbreak subsided. However, this indicates that coral populations are very vulnerable in this location, and development of the land immediately in front of Steps may seriously compromise elkhorn coral populations, especially if construction coincides with the rainy season." - excerpt from a report by Andrew Bruckner, Ph.D. found at http://www.surfrider.org/rincon/bruckner.pdf
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