Changes in coral cover on a Belizean patch reef from 2006-2008: Implications for conservation and management

Background/Question/Methods   Increases in tropical ecotourism over the past 30 years have raised concerns about the impact of snorkeling and other recreational activities on coral cover and abundance. Divers and snorkelers break corals by touching them with their body and equipment or by kicking up sediment. In this study, the amount of living coral was examined over a 3-year period within a frequently-used patch reef adjacent to (< 75 m) South Water Caye, Belize, an increasingly popular ecotourist destination for international student-groups and snorkelers.

Results/Conclusions   The total number of intact coral formations observed within sampling transects decreased 17.6% from 2006-2008. The percentage of intact corals that supported living coral tissue differed between years in our study (ANOVA, F=20.695, P<0.001). The percentage of intact corals that supported 100% living coral cover decreased from 14.2% in 2006 to 8.3% in 2008, whereas the percentage of intact corals that supported no living coral tissue increased from 13.2% in 2006 to 24.1% in 2008. Such information on the magnitude and distribution of damage caused by snorkelers is an important component of any strategy to manage tourism on coral reefs. This research underscores the need for coastal marine management initiatives and snorkeler/diver education to reduce human-induced coral damage in frequently visited locales.