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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, 2. USGS. Why study growth anomalies?. Growth anomalies is the most prevalent disease on West Hawai`i.
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The Role of Environmental Factors in Porites lobata Growth Anomalies Dynamics. Courtney S. Couch1, Eric Grossman2, Drew Harvell1 1. Cornell University, 2. USGS
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
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.
Study Sites Kaloko- Honokōhau National Park Kailua Bay
Kailua Bay (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)
What’s 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.
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! 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