Spatial Characterization of Pocillopora along the North Shore of Moorea, French Polynesia

Abstract

Spatial characteristics of coral reefs give insight into a variety of life history characteristics and key identifiers to the overall health of the coral reefs. Coral colony formation plays a large role in the overall efficiency that coral reefs have in capturing the necessary nutrients and filtering other inorganic compounds that are constantly being passed over via inshore and offshore water flow. Benthic complexity can also give great insight into the health and diversity of a coral reef ecosystem. Previous studies on coral colony formation have mainly focused on the effect that unidirectional flow has on in-situ grown coral colonies. While traditional benthic complexity measurements have been known to be both invasive and harmful to coral reef ecosystems, this study uses a novel, non-invasive imaging approach to estimate benthic complexity. This study was conducted on the Indo-pacific island of Moorea, French Polynesia. The two main goals were: 1. Determine any significant formational trends of in-situ coral colonies of Pocillopora and 2. Calculate the benthic complexity using a non-invasive and non-detrimental 3-dimensional imaging software technique. Results showed a formational trend that was present at four locations along the north shore of Moorea, demonstrating a mean colony angle parallel to inshore/offshore water movement. Benthic complexity measurements were successfully calculated with ease that brought no harm or destruction to the coral reefs.