Abstract

Coral reefs are experiencing many environmental stressors due to anthropogenic climate change. The effects of environmental stressors, such as high sea surface temperatures, can lead to coral bleaching and mortality that result in unprecedented assemblage shifts and changes in algae abundance. To aid recovery in these habitats, it is important to implement management and monitoring projects. The status of coral bleaching and benthic composition across five reefs in the Nargana region of Guna Yala, Panama was recorded using the point count method to (1) Compare coral assemblage composition between reefs, (2) Observe coral species abundance and the abundance of benthic categories and, (3) Observe coral bleaching cover. Statistical analysis revealed differences in coral assemblage composition between the five reef sites, with some sites having very few or no reef-building species. In general, reef-building species experienced higher proportions of bleaching in comparison to other coral species. Therefore, processes of erosion and bleaching mortality may be occurring faster than coral reef assemblages can restore themselves. Current abundance and bleaching data were then compared to previous research conducted in Guna Yala, with the goal of illuminating long-term ecological trends. These comparisons show that algae cover has remained higher than live coral cover, and that coral species abundance has not recovered since mass bleaching events began occurring in the 1980s.

Advisor

Lehtinen, Richard

Department

Biology

Disciplines

Biodiversity | Biology | Environmental Health and Protection | Life Sciences | Marine Biology

Keywords

Coral reef, coral bleaching, Guna Yala, Panama, Caribbean, El Niño, community assembly, algae, SST

Publication Date

2025

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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Available for download on Wednesday, July 17, 2030

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© Copyright 2025 Brydon Deanna Hollander