Marine Resources Surveys of Naval Base Guam Naval

Marine Resources Surveys of Naval Base Guam & Naval Support Activity Andersen Air Force Base Andres Joshua Reyes, M. Sc. March 29, 2018

Background & Rationale Summary Future Studies Study Design & Objectives Survey Results: Benthic Coral Fish Invertebrate Water Quality Management Application

Study Design

Objectives 1) Develop a statistically-sound survey design compatible with monitoring programs in Guam, CNMI, and FSM 2) Establish a record of water quality parameters at project sites 3) Characterize reef slope habitats at project sites 4) Assess reef systems at project sites based on community composition and diversity parameters

Benthic Surveys

Coral Surveys

Fish Surveys A = ~512 N= ~598

Invertebrate Surveys

Water Quality Surveys

Management Application • Survey design allows for ample replication (long-term monitoring) to assess reef health • Spatial patterns and environmental stratification uniqueness • At minimum, field surveys should address abundances to species level, increasing resolution • Mission-essential activities can be tailored within NBG or NSAA project sites and by season (rainy vs. dry)

Future Studies • Improved survey techniques can detect increases/decreases in population cover • Spatial planning allows for rapid response to coral bleaching, invasive species, and the presence-absence of ESA-listed species • Baseline studies should identify taxa that are significant indicators of change in reef community composition, increasing accuracy and efficiency (reduced survey time, labor, and cost) of future marine survey efforts in Guam

Summary • Ecological gradients reflect the biological distribution within NBG and NSAA sites (wave exposure, proximity to watersheds, fishing pressure, nutrient loading etc. ) • NBG sites are highly variable (patchy) compared to NSAA (uniform) • Water quality is driven by seasonal events • A clear delineation exists between east-west sites in NBG and north-northeast sites in NSAA

Thank you This material is based upon work supported by the Do. D Cooperative Agreement N 40192 -13 -