Recent dynamics and condition of coral reefs in the Colombian Caribbean

Long-term monitoring data provide a basis to recognize changes in coral reef communities and to implement appropriate management strategies. Unfortunately, coral reef dynamics have been poorly documented at any temporal scale in the Southern Caribbean. Through the "National Monitoring System of Coral Reefs in Colombia" (Spanish acronym: SIMAC), we assessed 32 permanent plots at different depth levels in six reefs areas of the Colombian Caribbean from 1998 to 2004. Temporal trends in coral and algal cover were evaluated by repeated measures ANOVA. The model included the effect of depth levels (a fixed effect), monitoring plots (a random effect) as a nested factor within depths, and time (repeated factor). We found high spatial variability in major benthic components. Overall means indicated that algae were the most abundant biotic component in nearly all areas, ranging from 30.3% at Rosario to 53.3% at San Andrés. Live coral cover varied considerably from 10.1% at Santa Marta up to 43.5% at Urabá. Coral and algae cover per se are not always accurate reef indicators and therefore they need supplementary information. Temporal analyses suggested relative stability of coral and algal cover along the study but the causes for the observed trends were rarely identified. A significant decrease (p=0.042) in coral cover was only identified for some monitoring plots in Tayrona-time x plot (depth level) interaction, and importantly, few coral species explained this trend. Significant increase (p=0.005) in algal cover was observed over time for most plots in Rosario. Temporal trajectories in algal cover were influenced by depth-significant time x depth interaction-in San Andrés (increase, p=0.004) and Urabá (decrease, p=0.027). Algae trends were mainly explained by changes in algal turfs. Monitoring programs must focus on the mechanisms mediating the changes, in particular those concerning coral recovery and reef resilience in the current context of climate change. Rev. Biol. Trop. 58 (Suppl. 1): 107-131. Epub 2010 May 01.Este trabajo contiene el primer análisis temporal de la información obtenida por el Sistema Nacional de Monitoreo de Arrecifes Coralinos en Colombia (SIMAC). Entre 1998 y el 2004 se monitorearon un total de 32 parcelas permanentes ubicadas a diferentes niveles de profundidad en seis áreas arrecifales del Caribe colombiano. Los patrones temporales de algas y corales fueron evaluados mediante análisis de varianza de medidas repetidas. Los promedios generales indicaron que las algas dominaron en la mayoría de las áreas evaluadas, variando de 30.3% (Rosario) hasta 53.3% (San Andrés). La cobertura coralina fluctuó considerablemente entre 10.1% (Santa Marta) y 43.5% (Urabá). Los arrecifes estudiados han permanecido relativamente estables durante el periodo evaluado en términos de algas y corales. El único cambio significativo en la cobertura se detectó en algunas parcelas de monitoreo del Tayrona, y pocas especies coralinas explicaron la tendencia de disminución. En Rosario se detectó una tendencia significativa de incremento para las algas en la mayoría de las parcelas. En San Andrés y Urabá las tendencias temporales (aumento y disminución respectivamente) se presentaron en ciertos niveles de profundidad. En estas dos áreas las tendencias en la cobertura de las algas fueron explicadas principalmente por cambios en los tapetes algales. En general las causas de los patrones observados no pudieron identificarse. Los programas de monitoreo deben evaluar no solo las tendencias generales de algas y corales sino también las de sus componentes (especies de coral y grupos funcionales de algas). Así mismo, deben enfocarse en evaluar los mecanismos involucrados en los cambios, en especial aquellos relacionados con la recuperación coralina y la resiliencia arrecifal, de manera que se pueda enfrentar el deterioro arrecifal en el actual contexto de cambio climático

Temporal patterns in coral reef, seagrass and mangrove communities from Chengue bay CARICOMP site (Colombia): 1993-2008

Few monitoring programs have simultaneously assessed the dynamics of linked marine ecosystems (coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves) to document their temporal and spatial variability. Based on CARICOMP protocol we evaluated permanent stations in coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves from 1993 to 2008 in Chengue Bay at the Tayrona Natural Park, Colombian Caribbean. Overall, the studied ecosystems showed a remarkable stability pattern over the monitoring period. While there were annual variations in coral reefs (coral cover) and mangroves (litterfall) caused by hurricane Lenny in 1999, particular trends in seagrass (leaf area index and leaf productivity) appear to reflect the natural variability in this ecosystem. We suggest that monitoring sites at the three marine ecosystems had in general a healthy development in the last 16 years. Our results are critical to locally improve the management strategies (Tayrona Natural Park) and to understand the long-term dynamics of closely associated marine ecosystems in the Caribbean. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Spatial Distribution Patterns of the Benthonic Community in Coastal Continental and Oceanic Coral Reefs of the Colombian Caribbean

The Colombian Caribbean Sea coastal presents both continental and oceanic coral reef ecosystems. ecosystems. Based on quantitative sampling using video transects and multivariate analyses we Based on quantitative sampling Transects and video using multivariate analysis we found that there are small (hundreds of meters to few kilometers) and large scale (tens to hundreds found that there are small (few hundreds of meters to kilometers) and large scale (tens to hundreds of kilometers) spatial distribution patterns in the composition and abundance of sessile organisms. of kilometers) spatial distribution patterns in the composition and abundance of sessile organisms. Despite these coral reefs constitute a single community with the same coral species and other Despite these coral reefs constitute a single community with the same coral species and other organisms, Siderastrea siderea y Agaricia tenuifolia reef zones occur exclusively in the continental organisms, and Agaricia tenuifolia Siderastrea siderea reef zones occur exclusively in the continental sector, meanwhile, fore-reef terraces and lagoonal and windward peripheral reefs are characteristic sector, meanwhile, fore-reef and lagoonal terraces and peripheral windward reefs are characteristic of the oceanic sector. of the oceanic sector. These variations may reflect the different geologic histories, prevailing These variations may reflect the different geologic histories, Prevailing environmental conditions, frequency and intensity of disturbances, and life strategies of dominant environmental conditions, frequency and intensity of disturbances, and life strategies of dominant species. species. Within sectors (ie continental and oceanic), coral reef community structure seems to be Within sectors (ie continental and oceanic), coral reef community structure seems to be influenced by the intensity of wave exposure, water depth and reef geomorphology. influenced by the intensity of wave exposure, water depth and reef geomorphology. The different The different spatial scales in which the community responds to the environment should be considered when spatial scales in which the community responds to the environment should be considered when conservation and management strategies are taken in coral reefs of Colombia. conservation and management strategies are taken in coral reefs of Colombia

The Caribbean Coastal Marine Productivity Program (CARICOMP)

CARICOMP is a regional scientific program to study land-sea interaction processes in the Caribbean coastal zone. It has been collecting data since 1992, when a Data Management Centre was established at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica. Initially it focuses on documenting the structure and productivity of major coastal communities (mangrove forests, seagrass meadows and coral reefs) at relatively undisturbed sites in diverse physical settings. Second, by regular recording of physical and biological parameters, it monitors for change, seeking to distinguish natural from anthropogenic disturbance. Third, it constitutes a regional network of observers, able to collaborate on studies of region-wide events. Examples are presented of the diverse data sets collected by the Program

Time-dependent analysis of extra length of stay and mortality due to ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive-care units of ten limited-resources countries: findings of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC)

Ventilator-associated pneumonias (VAPs) are a worldwide problem that significantly increases patient morbidity, mortality, and length of stay (LoS), and their effects should be estimated to account for the timing of infection. The purpose of the study was to estimate extra LoS and mortality in an intensive-care unit (ICU) due to a VAP in a cohort of 69 248 admissions followed for 283 069 days in ICUs from 10 countries. Data were arranged according to the multi-state format. Extra LoS and increased risk of death were estimated independently in each country, and their results were combined using a random-effects meta-analysis. VAP prolonged LoS by an average of 2.03 days (95% CI 1.52-2.54 days), and increased the risk of death by 14% (95% CI 2-27). The increased risk of death due to VAP was explained by confounding with patient morbidity