Southeast Florida Coral Reef Evaluation and Monitoring 

Project 

2004 Year 2 Final Report 

June 2005 

A report of the 

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish & Wildlife Research Institute 

and the National Coral Reef Institute, Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic 

Center pursuant to FDEP contract number # G0099 

for 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

Office of Coastal & Aquatic Managed Areas 

Biscayne Bay Environmental Center 

1277 N.E. 79th Street Causeway 

Miami, FL 33138
1 

Southeast Florida Coral Reef Evaluation and Monitoring Project 

2004 

Year 2 Final Report 

INTRODUCTION 

The coral reef ecosystem in Florida extends beyond the Florida Keys northward through MiamiDade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Martin Counties; however, the primary focus for coral reef 

research and long-term monitoring has long been in the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas. Coral 

reef monitoring efforts in the Keys grew exponentially with the establishment of the Florida 

Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS). Since 1996, the Coral Reef Evaluation and 

Monitoring Project (CREMP) has documented changes in reef resources throughout the Florida 

reef tract from Key West to Carysfort. In 1999 the project was expanded to include 3 sites in the 

Dry Tortugas. 

In 2003 CREMP was further expanded to include 10 sites offshore southeast Florida in MiamiDade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Two years (2003 and 2004) of sampling have been 

completed. This CREMP expansion, named the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Evaluation and 

Monitoring Project (SECREMP), will assist in filling gaps in coverage of knowledge and 

monitoring of coral reef ecosystems nationwide and complement the goals of the National 

Monitoring Network to monitor a minimum suite of parameters at sites in the network. In 

addition, these efforts will assist the National Monitoring Network in building its capacity to 

archive biotic attributes of coral reef ecosystems nationwide. 

The reef system from northern Monroe County to Palm Beach County can be characterized as a 

series of discontinuous reef lines that parallel the shoreline. As an example, in Broward County 

there are generally three lines of reef (terraces) present that crest in 3 to 5 m (First Reef), 7 to 9 

m (Second Reef), and 16 to 23 m (Third Reef) water depths (Figure 1). 

Most previous monitoring efforts (Dodge et al., 1995; Gilliam et al., 2001, 2002) along the 

southeast coast originated as impact and mitigation studies from adverse environmental impacts 

to specific sites (dredge insults, ship groundings, pipeline and cable deployments, and beach 

renourishment). Studies like these are generally of limited duration (1–3 years) and focus on 

restoration with some baseline data collection at specific reference areas. 

Beginning in 1997, in response to beach renourishment efforts in Broward County, annual 

collection of environmental data (sedimentation quantities and rates and limited temperature 

measurements), and coral, sponge, and fish abundance/cover data was conducted at 18 sites. In 

2000 Nova Southeastern University (NSU) assumed the monitoring responsibility from the 

County. During that year, five new sites were added. In 2003 two additional sites were added. 

Monitoring of these 25 sites is ongoing and is scheduled to continue through 2007. 

Previous monitoring of reef habitats off Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties has been short 

term and localized, and of little use in evaluating the overall health and condition of the northern 

extension of the Florida reef tract. Estimates of cover are available from some local areas such as 

those in Broward County but, to a large extent, stony coral cover throughout the southeast 

Florida reefs is poorly defined. Because the area has few long-term data sets on abundance 
 

2

and/or cover for benthic components, it is difficult to provide scientifically valid information on 

status and trends for these reefs. 

In 2003, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) proposed and was awarded 

funding for inception of coral reef monitoring along the southeast Florida coast. To ensure that 

this monitoring is of the highest scientific quality, and consistent with National Monitoring 

Network protocols, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection contracted this work en 

toto to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research 

Institute (FWC-FWRI). The Coral Reef Research Group at FWC-FWRI has a long history of 

monitoring reefs in the FKNMS. Their on-going FKNMS Coral Reef Evaluation & Monitoring 

Project (CREMP) dates back to 1996 and has included parameters (e.g., depth, habitat 

delineation, and/or percent live/dead cover of corals, submerged aquatic vegetation, macroalgae, 

sponges) for benthic habitat characterization since its inception. 

Figure 1. View of reef tracts along the southeast Florida coast. 

Project Planning 

Planning for the Year 1 fieldwork began in early 2003. Year 1 fieldwork included locating, 

installing, and monitoring sites in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. Principal 

investigators from FWRI supplied to and discussed with researchers from the National Coral 

Reef Institute (NCRI) the Standard Operating Procedures for site selection and installation. 

Representatives from Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resource Management 

(DERM), Broward County of Environmental Protection Department (EPD), and Palm Beach 

County Environmental Resource Management (ERM) were kept informed on the progress of the 

project and invited to participate in the site selection and sampling. On 16 June 2003 a workshop 

Palm Beach County

Broward County

Fir st R eef

Sec ond Reef

Third Reef

Broward County

D ade C ounty

Southeast

Florida 

Coast
 

3

was held at Nova Southeastern University to discuss the purpose, background, and methods of 

CREMP and SECREMP. Participants included personnel from NCRI, FWRI (St. Petersburg and 

Tequesta), EPD, DERM, and ERM. 

Planning for the Year 2 fieldwork began in early 2004. NCRI managed all the Year 2 planning 

and fieldwork. Prior to sampling, FWRI, EPD, DERM, and ERM were notified of the proposed 

sampling dates and invited to participate. 

Monitoring Site Selection and Sampling 

The project initially required three sites be installed and sampled in each of three southeast 

Florida counties (Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach). For Miami-Dade and Broward 

Counties one site was to be selected and installed on each off the three reef tracts from nearshore 

to offshore. Because Palm Beach does not have three separate reef tracts, one site was selected 

on a patch of nearshore hardbottom and two sites were selected on the offshore reef tract. 

Additionally, because of the unique Acropora cervicornis patches located off Broward County, a 

fourth site was added to the project in Broward to monitor one of these patches. All 10 sites 

include four standard CREMP stations. 

Personnel from NCRI, FWRI, and each of the Counties were present during site selection. Each 

county assisted by providing vessel support. Industrial Divers Corp. (IDC) was subcontracted to 

install the reference stakes. Project Year 1 sampling was conducted between 17 June and 20 

August 2003. Project Year 2 sampling was conducted between 3 June and 22 July 2004. Table 1 

provides depths and locations of each of the SECREMP sites, and Table 2 provides the Year 1 

and Year 2 work dates including the date sampling was completed at each site. 

Table 1. Location and depth for the 10 SECREMP monitoring sites (BC = Broward County; DC = 

Miami-Dade County; PB = Palm Beach County). 

Site Code Depth 

(ft) Latitude (N) Longitude (W) 

BCA 25 26° 08.985’ 80° 05.810’ 

BC1 25 26° 08.872’ 80° 05.758’ 

BC2 40 26° 09.597’ 80° 04.950’ 

BC3 55 26° 09.518’ 80° 04.641’ 

DC1 25 25° 50.530’ 80° 06.242’ 

DC2 45 25° 50.520’ 80° 05.704’ 

DC3 55 25° 50.526’ 80° 05.286’ 

PB1 25 26° 42.583’ 80° 01.714’ 

PB2 55 26° 40.710’ 80° 01.095’ 

PB3 55 26° 42.626’ 80° 00.949’ 
 

4

Table 2. Location and Year 1 and 2 work dates (BC = Broward County; DC = Miami-Dade 

County; PB = Palm Beach County).

Site Code Date 

Selected 

Date 

Installed 

Yr 1 Date 

Sampled 

Yr 2 Date 

Sampled 

BCA 5-06-2003 5-30-2003 6-19-2003 6-11-2004 

BC1 5-06-2003 5-30-2003 6-17-2003 6-14-2004 

BC2 5-12-2003 5-29-2003 6-18-2003 6-03-2004 

BC3 5-06-2003 5-28-2003 6-18-2003 6-09-2004 

DC1 5-16-2003 6-2-2003 6-24-2003 6-15-2004 

DC2 5-16-2003 6-4-2003 6-24-2003 6-15-2004 

DC3 4-30-2003 6-6-2003 6-23-2003 6-04-2004 

PB1 5-05-2003 6-12-2003 8-20-2003 7-21-2004 

PB2 5-05-2003 6-11-2003 8-18-2003 7-21-2004 

PB3 5-05-2003 6-11-2003 8-19-2003 7-22-2004 

METHODS 

Each of the 10 SECREMP monitoring sites consists of four monitoring stations delineated by 

permanent stainless steel markers. Stations are approximately 2 x 22 meters. The SECREMP 

stations have a north-south orientation, which is generally parallel to the reef terraces of 

southeast Florida. Within each station, field sampling consists of a station species inventory 

(SSI), three video transects (100, 300 & 500), and a bio-eroding sponge survey (Figure 2). The 

SECREMP sampling protocols generally follow standard CREMP sampling protocols. 

Video Transects 

Video was selected as the method for cover evaluation because it is a rapid and efficient means 

of field data collection that provides a permanent data record. Traditional transect and quadrat 

methods used in terrestrial environments are often too time consuming for underwater use, in 

addition to being less accurate and precise. 

Percent cover of live coral, sessile benthic biota, and selected substrates is determined annually 

from video transects filmed at each station. The videographer films a clapperboard prior to 

filming each transect. This provides a complete record of date and location of each segment 

recorded. Three video transects are filmed at a constant distance above the substrate at each 

station. 

Two lasers converge 40 cm from the camera lens and guide the videographer in maintaining the 

camera at a uniform distance above the reef surface. Filming is conducted perpendicular to the 

substrate at a constant swim speed of about 4 meters per minute. 
 

5

Figure 2. Typical layout of SECREMP station. 

All transects are filmed with a SONY TRV 900 digital video camcorder. The minimum number 

of digital images necessary to represent each station are framegrabbed and then written to and 

archived on CD-ROM. 

Analysis of benthic cover images is predicated on selecting video frames that abut, with minimal 

overlap between images. At a filming distance of 40 cm above the reef surface, the field of view 

is approximately 40 cm wide. A set of abutting images that best covers the station is grabbed 

directly from the video tape. 

The Year 1 and 2 image analyses were conducted using a custom software application, 

PointCount, for coral reefs. The software places ten random points on each image. Under each 

point, selected benthic taxa (stony coral species, octocoral, zoanthid, sponge, seagrass, and 

macroalgae) and substrate are identified. The software has a “point and click” feature that feeds 

the identification data into a backend spreadsheet. After all images are analyzed, the data are 

converted to an ASCII file for Quality Assurance and entry into the master ACCESS data set. 

Standard video protocol is modified slightly for site BCA (Broward County nearshore Acropora 

cervicornis patch), and the Palm Beach County sites. Standard protocol calls for a plastic chain 

to be laid across the substrate to delineate the transect, and act as a guide for the videographer. At 

site BCA, extensions are added to the transect end stakes in order to raise transect lines above the 

coral. Fiberglass tapes are used to delineate the transects and guide the videographer instead of 

Station Layout

Species Inventory Video Transects 
 

6

chains. All transect videos are taken on the east side of the transect tapes. These modifications 

reduce the potential for damage to the A. cervicornis colonies during sampling. 

Off Palm Beach County, there is generally a strong north-flowing current present at offshore 

sites (PB2 and PB3). This current adds safety risk and greatly increases the effort required to 

complete the sampling. In order to reduce risk, the use of fiberglass tapes is used in lieu of chains 

to mark transects and guide the videographer. Transect videos at all Palm Beach County sites are 

taken on the east side of the transect tapes. Additionally, all transects are videotaped with the 

diver swimming into the current to slow the divers speed (all stations in Miami-Dade and 

Broward Counties are sampled north-south). 

Station Species Inventory (SSI) 

Stony coral species (Milleporina and Scleractinia) presence is recorded at each station. Two 

observers conduct simultaneous, timed (15 minute) inventories within SSI area and enter the data 

on underwater data sheets. Each observer records all stony coral taxa and enumerates longspined urchins (Diadema antillarum) within the station boundaries. During the species inventory, 

any species within a station that exhibits specific signs of either bleaching or disease is 

documented on the data sheet. Diseases are sorted into three categories: black band, white 

complex (including white plague, white band, white pox), and other (dark spot, yellow band, and 

idiopathic diseases). After conducting the survey, the observers compare data (5 minutes) 

underwater and each confirms the species recorded by each observer. Data sheets are verified 

aboard the vessel and entered into the database. All data and data sheets are then forwarded to 

Fish & Wildlife Research Institute for quality assurance checks. This method facilitates robust 

data collection with broad spatial coverage at optimal expenditure of time and labor. 

Bio-eroding Sponge Survey 

Three clionid sponge species (Cliona delitrix, C. lampa, and C. caribbaea) recorded by CREMP 

are known to be aggressive coral bio-eroders and over-growers. Three 1 meter wide belt 

transects provide the maximum spatial coverage within each station. A 22 meter survey tape 

marks the center of reference for each transect. A diver delineates the survey area by swimming 

directly above the tape holding a meter stick perpendicular to the tape and parallel to the reef 

surface. The location, species, and size of each clionid sponge colony and species of stony coral 

affected by the clionid colony is recorded. Area is measured by means of a 40 cm2 quadrat frame 

subdivided into 5 cm squares. The area occupied by the clionid colony is recorded to the nearest 

half square. 

YEAR 2 (2004) RESULTS 

Stony Coral Species Richness 

Stony coral species richness were summarized from SSI data. In 2004, a total of 29 stony coral 

species were identified within the 10 SECREMP sites (Table 3). These 29 species were also 

identified in 2003. The mean number of species identified per site was 10.34. Three species, 

Montastraea cavernosa, Porites astreoides and Dichocoenia stokesii were identified at all 10 

sites, and 15 species were identified in all three counties. Miami-Dade and Broward Counties 

had 23 stony coral species identified and Palm Beach County had 22 (Figure 3). 
 

7

Miami-Dade County had a mean 11.58 stony coral species per station while Broward County had 

9.88 species per station and Palm Beach had 9.83 species per station. Stony coral species counts 

at Broward County sites were slightly skewed by site BCA, which is dominated by Acropora 

cervicornis. Without site BCA, Broward County had a greater mean number (11.17) of species 

per station. The offshore sites (third reef sites DC3, BC3, and PB3) had lower species richness 

than the first and second reef sites. 

Table 3. Stony coral species presence/absence for all SECREMP sites in Broward, Miami-Dade, 

and Palm Beach Counties for 2004. Key: A, 1, 2, 3 = species present at sites; O = species absent. 

Broward Miami-Dade Palm Beach Species List Present/Absent Present/Absent Present/Absent

Acropora cervicornis A 1 O 

Agaricia agaricites A, 1, 2 1 2, 3 

Agaricia fragilis 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 O 

Agaricia lamarki 2, 3 O O 

Cladocora arbuscula O O 1 

Colpophyllia natans A, 1 1, 2 1, 2 

Dichocoenia stokesii A, 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 

Diploria clivosa A 1 1 

Diploria labyrinthiformis 1 1, 3 O 

Diploria strigosa O 2 1, 2 

Eusimilia fastigiata 1, 2 2 O 

Madracis decactis 1, 3 2, 3 2, 3 

Madracis mirabilis O O 2 

Meandrina meandrites 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 

Millepora alcicornis A, 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 

Montastrea annularis complex 1, 2 1, 2, 3 3 

Montastrea cavernosa A, 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 

Mycetophyllia aliciae O O 2, 3 

Mycetophyllia lamarckiana O 2 O 

Oculina diffusa 1 O 1 

Phyllangia americana 1, 2 1, 2 1, 2 

Porites astreoides A, 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 

Porites porites A, 2 1, 2 O 

Scolymia cubensis 2, 3 2, 3 2 

Scolymia lacera O O 3 

Siderastrea radians A, 1, 2, 3 1, 2 1, 2 

Siderastrea siderea 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 

Solenastrea bournoni A, 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 1 

Stephanocoenia michelinii 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 2, 3 
 

8

Figure 3. Stony coral species richness at SECREMP sites for Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm 

Beach Counties for 2003 and 2004 (n= 12 stations for Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties, n= 

16 for Broward County). 

Stony Coral Condition 

In addition to recording stony coral species presence, the SSI protocol also includes an 

assessment of stony coral condition, the presence or absence of bleaching and diseases. Disease 

categories included black band, white complex (white plague, white band, white pox), and 

“other” (dark spot, yellow band, and idiopathic diseases). In 2004, images were taken of each 

diseased colony. In order to track the fate of these colonies, images will also be taken of them in 

2005. 

Partially bleached colonies (no completely bleached colonies were observed) were observed 

more frequently than diseased colonies. Bleaching was recorded at sites DC3, DC2, DC1, BC1, 

BC2, BC3, PB3, PB2, and PB1, with BC2 and PB2 having the greatest incidence of bleaching.. 

Diseased colonies were identified at four sites (10 stations). “Other” diseases were seen at four 

sites (11 stations), while “white complex” diseases were identified at one site (one station). Most 

of the “other” diseased colonies were Siderastrea siderea with Dark Spot. Black band disease 

was not seen within any of the 10 sites. Table 4 lists all stony coral species that displayed 

symptoms of disease. Table 5 compares stony coral species with the presence of disease and 

partial bleaching at each of the stations in 2003 and 2004. Quantitative data (number of diseased 

or partially bleached colonies) was not collected in 2003. Bleaching data is qualitative only 

(presence/absence) for each station. Disease (probably white band) and bleaching was present 

within site BCA, A. cervicornis thicket, however, due to the “thicket” growth form of A. 

cervicornis it is not possible to quantify the number of affected colonies within a station. 

 

22

24

21

23 23

22

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

Broward Miami-Dade Palm Beach

County

Number of Stony Coral 

Species

2003 2004
 

9

Table 4. List of all sites and stations with diseased stony corals and the stony coral species affected 

(O = other disease, W = white complex disease). 

County Site Station Species Affected No. of Colonies Condition 

Miami-Dade DC1 1 Siderastrea siderea 3 O 

 DC1 2 Siderastrea siderea 1 O 

 DC1 3 Siderastrea siderea 1 O 

 DC1 3 Montastrea annularis 1 O 

 DC1 4 Siderastrea siderea 2 O 

 DC1 4 Dichocoenia stokesii 1 W 

DC2 1 None 0 --- 

DC2 2 None 0 --- 

DC2 3 None 0 --- 

 DC2 4 None 0 --- 

DC3 1 None 0 --- 

DC3 2 None 0 --- 

DC3 3 None 0 --- 

 DC3 4 None 0 --- 

Broward BC1 1 Siderastrea siderea 1 O 

 BC1 2 Siderastrea siderea 1 O 

 BC1 3 Siderastrea siderea 1 O 

 BC1 4 None 0 --- 

 BC2 1 None 0 --- 

BC2 2 None 0 --- 

BC2 3 Siderastrea siderea 1 O 

BC2 4 None 0 --- 

 BC3 1 None 0 --- 

 BC3 2 None 0 --- 

 BC3 3 None 0 --- 

 BC3 4 None 0 --- 

Palm Beach PB1 1 Siderastrea siderea 2 O 

 PB1 2 None 0 --- 

PB1 3 Siderastrea siderea 0 --- 

PB1 4 Diploria clivosa 1 O 

PB2 1 None 0 --- 

PB2 2 None 0 --- 

PB2 3 None 0 --- 

PB2 4 None 0 --- 

 PB3 1 None 0 --- 

 PB3 2 None 0 --- 

 PB3 3 None 0 --- 

 PB3 4 None 0 --- 
 

10

Table 5. Stony coral species within each site and station with the presence of disease or partial 

bleaching (A = absence of bleaching or disease; H = bleaching, O = other disease, W = white 

complex disease). 

County Site Station Species 2003 2004 

Miami-Dade DC1 1,3,4 Siderastrea siderea A H 

 DC1 2 Porites astreoides H H 

 DC1 2, 3 Siderastrea siderea A O 

 DC1 4 Dichocoenia stokesii A W 

 DC1 4 Siderastrea siderea O O 

DC2 1 None A A 

DC2 2 Montastrea annularis O A 

DC2 2 Solenastrea bournoni A H 

DC2 3 None A A 

 DC2 4 None A A 

DC3 1 None A A 

DC3 2 None A A 

DC3 3 None A A 

 DC3 4 Montastrea annularis A H 

Broward BC1 1, 2, 3 Siderastrea siderea A O 

 BC1 2 Montastrea cavernosa A O 

 BC1 3 Siderastrea siderea A H 

 BC1 3 Montastrea cavernosa O A 

 BC1 3 Porites astreoides H A 

 BC1 4 None A A 

 BC2 1 Siderastrea radians H A 

 BC2 1 Dichocoenia stokesii A H 

BC2 2 Meandrina meandrites A H 

BC2 2 Stephanocoenia michelini A H 

BC2 3 Porites astreoides A H 

BC2 3, 4 Montastrea cavernosa A H 

BC2 3, 4 Siderastrea siderea A H, O 

BC2 4 Solenastrea bournoni W A 

 BC3 1 Dichocoenia stokesii H A 

 BC3 1 Siderastrea siderea A H 

 BC3 2 Siderastrea siderea H H 

 BC3 3 Meandrina meandrites A H 

 BC3 4 None A A 
 

11

Table 5. Continued.

Sea Urchin Diadema Abundance 

Diadema sea urchin abundance was recorded for each station during the SSI sampling. No 

Diadema were seen at any of the 10 sites (40 stations) in 2003. In 2004, six individuals were 

counted, one each at of the following stations: DC2 station 4, BC1 stations 1 and 2, BC2 station 

1, BC3 stations 3 and 4. 

Stony Coral Cover 

Mean stony coral cover for the 10 SECREMP sites was 5.9%. Broward County (13.04%) had the 

greatest mean stony coral cover followed by Palm Beach (1.23%) and Miami-Dade (1.09%) 

Counties (Figure 4). The disparity between the Broward sites and both the Miami-Dade and 

Palm Beach sites was due to the significantly greater coral cover at site BCA which had 39.63% 

stony coral cover, and site BC1 which had 11.76% stony coral cover. Site BCA is dominated by 

Acropora cervicornis with a cover of 39%. The remaining Broward sites BC3 and BC2 had stony 

coral cover similar to that at Miami-Dade and Palm Beach sites. Mean stony coral coverage for 

all sties is presented in Table 6. 

County Site Station Species 2003 2004 

Palm Beach PB1 1 Solenastrea bournoni H, O H 

 PB1 1, 2 Siderastrea radians H H 

 PB1 1, 3 Siderastrea siderea A O 

 PB1 2 Meandrina meandrites H A 

 PB1 2 Solenastrea bournoni H A 

 PB1 3 Siderastrea radians H A 

 PB1 3 Diploria clivosa A H 

 PB1 3 Oculina diffusa H A 

PB1 4 Diploria clivosa A H 

PB1 4 Siderastrea radians H A 

PB1 4 Solenastrea bournoni H, W H 

 PB2 1 Meandrina meandrites A H 

 PB2 1 Meandrina meandrites A H 

PB2 1, 2 Porites astreoides A H 

PB2 1, 2, 3, 4 Siderastrea siderea A H 

PB2 3 Siderastrea radians A H 

PB2 4 Stephanocoenia michelini H 

PB2 4 Montastrea cavernosa A H 

 PB3 1 None A A 

 PB3 2 Dichocoenia stokesii A H 

 PB3 3 None A A 

 PB3 4 None A A 
 

12

The offshore Miami-Dade (DC3) and Broward (BC3) sites had reduced coral cover compared to 

both second (DC2 and BC2) and first reef (DC1 and BC1) sites. Table 7 lists the mean cover for 

stony coral species at each site. 

Figure 4. Mean percent stony coral cover at SECREMP sites in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm 

Beach Counties for 2003 and 2004. 

Functional Group Benthic Cover 

Tables 8, 9, and 10 list the mean functional group cover for each County (Broward, Miami-Dade, 

and Palm Beach, respectively) and site. Functional groups included substrate (rock, rubble, and 

sediments), stony corals, octocorals, zoanthids, sponges, and macroalgae. Substrate dominated 

benthic cover at all sites (>50%), ranging from 86.58% at BC2 to 53.37% at PB3 (Figure 5). 

Octocoral was generally the second most common functional group. Offshore (third reef) sites 

tended to have greater octocoral cover than inshore sites. Macroalgae cover was greatest at the 

Miami-Dade sites, while sponge cover was greatest at Palm Beach sites

11.15

1.07 1.26

13.04

1.09 1.23

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Broward Miami-Dade Palm Beach

County

Mean % Stony Coral 

Cover

2003 2004
 

13

Table 6. Mean stony coral cover for SECREMP sites by county and habitat for 2003 and 2004. 

County Site Code Habitat 2003 Mean % 

Coral Cover 

2004 Mean % 

Coral Cover 

Broward All All 11.15 13.04 

 BCA Nearshore 31.72 39.63 

 BC1 First Reef 12.21 11.76 

 BC2 Second Reef 0.40 0.44 

 BC3 Third Reef 0.28 0.35 

Miami-Dade All All 1.07 1.09 

 DC1 First Reef 2.40 2.57 

 DC2 Second Reef 0.61 0.47 

 DC3 Third Reef 0.20 0.23 

Palm Beach All All 1.26 1.23 

 PB1 First Reef 0.97 0.86 

 PB2 Third Reef 1.79 1.80 

 PB3 Third Reef 1.02 1.03 

Table 7. Mean percent cover of stony coral species at SECREMP sites for 2004. BC = Broward 

County, DC = Miami-Dade County, and PB = Palm Beach County. 

Percent Cover Stony Coral Species BC BCA BC1 BC2 BC3 DC DC1 DC2 DC3 PB PB1 PB2 PB3

Acropora cervicornis 9.75 38.99 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.31 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Colpophyllia natans 0.02 0.00 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.04 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00

Dichocoenia stokesii 0.01 0.00 0.04 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.02 0.01 0.05

Diploria clivosa 0.05 0.19 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.06 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.16 0.00 0.00

Diploria labyrinthiformis 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Diploria strigosa 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.09 0.28 0.00 0.00

Eusmilia fastigiata 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Meandrina meandrites 0.05 0.00 0.03 0.17 0.01 0.08 0.04 0.19 0.00 0.17 0.12 0.20 0.19

Millepora alcicornis 0.02 0.00 0.01 0.03 0.05 0.06 0.04 0.05 0.10 0.09 0.01 0.08 0.16

Montastraea annularis complex 0.13 0.00 0.52 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.29 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Montastraea cavernosa 2.74 0.2 10.59 0.06 0.12 0.41 1.10 0.04 0.10 0.69 0.17 1.34 0.57

Porites astreoides 0.09 0.26 0.04 0.01 0.05 0.15 0.39 0.05 0.00 0.03 0.00 0.02 0.06

Scleractinia 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Siderastrea radians 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.03 0.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00

Siderastrea siderea 0.08 0.00 0.21 0.07 0.04 0.08 0.17 0.06 0.01 0.04 0.01 0.10 0.00

Solenastrea bournoni 0.05 0.00 0.17 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.04 0.01 0.00 0.02 0.06 0.01 0.00

Stephanocoenia michelinii 0.04 0.00 0.04 0.08 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.02 0.00
 

14

. Table 8. Mean percent cover of functional groups in Broward County for SECREMP sites in 2003 

and 2004. Mean values are based on n = 16 for Broward County (BC). 

Table 9. Mean percent cover of functional groups in Miami-Dade County for SECREMP sites in 

2003 and 2004. Mean values are based on n = 12 stations for Miami-Dade County (DC).

Table 10. Mean percent cover of functional groups in Palm Beach County for SECREMP sites in 

2003 and 2004. Mean values are based on n = 12 stations for Palm Beach County (PB). 

Percent Cover 2003 Percent Cover 2004 Functional Group 

BC BCA BC1 BC2 BC3 BC BCA BC1 BC2 BC3 

Substrate 73.59 55.85 73.21 87.09 78.2 77.17 64.96 77.37 86.58 79.76

Stony Coral 13.04 39.63 11.76 0.44 0.35 11.15 31.72 12.21 0.40 0.28 

Octocoral 7.83 2.03 6.41 6.89 15.99 7.24 2.34 6.46 6.63 13.54

Macroalgae 2.16 0.96 4.04 1.92 1.74 1.94 0.03 0.43 3.70 3.62 

Porifera 2.34 0.47 1.99 3.27 3.64 1.89 0.27 1.84 2.67 2.79 

Zoanthidea 0.60 0.84 1.40 0.14 0.03 0.59 0.68 1.68 0.00 0.00 

Other Biota 0.38 0.23 1.00 0.25 0.05 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 

Percent Cover 2003 Percent Cover 2004 Functional Group

DC DC1 DC2 DC3 DC DC1 DC2 DC3 

Substrate 70.25 53.04 79.50 78.20 73.42 72.21 69.56 78.48 

Stony Coral 1.09 2.57 0.47 0.23 1.07 2.40 0.61 0.20 

Octocoral 10.36 7.31 11.54 12.25 12.00 5.86 14.67 15.48 

Macroalgae 12.87 31.44 3.26 3.92 8.51 13.32 9.97 2.25 

Porifera 2.61 1.08 4.02 2.74 3.16 0.85 5.14 3.50 

Zoanthidea 1.54 4.57 0.05 0.00 1.80 5.36 0.03 0.00 

Other Biota 1.27 0.00 1.16 2.66 0.04 0.00 0.03 0.09 

Percent Cover 2003 Percent Cover 2004 Functional Group 

PB PB1 PB2 PB3 PB PB1 PB2 PB3 

Substrate 66.72 82.55 61.92 55.69 68.71 83.54 67.23 55.37 

Stony Coral 1.23 0.86 1.80 1.03 1.26 0.97 1.79 1.02 

Octocoral 21.30 2.88 31.20 29.84 20.12 2.70 27.32 30.34 

Macroalgae 1.40 1.39 0.26 2.54 0.12 0.10 0.00 0.27 

Porifera 7.61 9.82 4.15 8.87 8.10 10.29 3.53 10.46 

Zoanthidea 0.68 0.78 0.05 1.20 0.67 0.55 0.09 1.36 

Other Biota 1.06 1.71 0.63 0.83 1.02 1.84 0.05 1.17 
 

15

Figure 5. Mean percent cover of functional groups by county at SECREMP sites for 2003 and 2004. 

Substrate Stony Coral Octocorallia Macroalgae

 Porifera Zoanthidea Other Biota 

0

20

40

60

80

100

% Cover

Broward Miami-Dade Palm Beach

2003

0

20

40

60

80

100

% Cover

Broward Miami-Dade Palm Beach

2004
 

16

Bio-eroding Sponge 

Cliona delitrix was the only bio-eroding sponge species identified at any SECREMP site. C. 

delitrix was seen in all three Counties (Table 11). Only site BCA did not have bio-eroding 

sponge present. Broward County had the greatest coverage of C. delitrix, while Palm Beach 

County had the greatest number of C. delitrix colonies. The first reef sites tended to have greater 

cover and more colonies than offshore (third reef) sites. 

Table 11. Clionid sponge, C. delitrix, total colony area (cm2), habitat type and number of colonies 

for 2003 and 2004. Note: Site BCA had no C. deletrix present during both years. 

 2003 2004 

County Site 

Code 

Habitat 

Type 

Colony 

Area (cm2

) 

# of 

Colonies 

Colony 

Area (cm2) 

# of 

Colonies 

Broward All All 7,062.5 14 5,465.6 53 

 BC1 First Reef 6,525 9 5,102.5 44 

 BC2 Second Reef 125.0 1 117.8 4 

 BC3 Third Reef 412.5 3 245.3 5 

Miami-Dade All All 1,362.5 7 907.7 8 

 DC1 First Reef 287.5 4 284.6 4 

 DC2 Second Reef 1,000.0 2 593.7 3 

 DC3 Third Reef 75.0 1 29.4 1 

Palm Beach All All 3,212.5 16 2,266.7 25 

 PB1 First Reef 1,787.5 4 1,854.6 19 

 PB2 Third Reef 1,175.0 9 323.8 5 

 PB3 Third Reef 250.0 3 88.3 1 

DISCUSSION 

The coral reef ecosystem off southeast Florida is a marginal system near the environmental 

threshold for significant reef growth. Southeast Florida reefs generally have reduced stony coral 

species richness and stony coral cover than the Dry Tortugas or Florida Keys coral reefs. Benthic 

cover by octocorals is, interestingly, very similar throughout the Florida reef system while 

southeast Florida reefs appear to have reduced macroalgae cover compared to reefs in the Dry 

Tortugas and the Florida Keys. 

Although it is not possible to identify trends with only two years of data, in general, the status of 

the southeast Florida reef system has changed little from 2003 to 2004. Stony coral species 

richness (Table 3; Figure 3) and cover are very similar between years (Figure 4; Tables 6 and 7). 

There appears to have been a greater incidence of bleaching and disease in 2004 compared to 

2003. The fate of the diseased colonies will be tracked through the use of images taken of each 

colony in 2004. The percent cover of the major functional groups has also remained similar 

between years (Tables 8, 9, and 10; Figure 5). Substrate and octocorals remain the two groups 

with the most cover for the region. Site BCA was added to the project as the fourth site in 

Broward County for the purpose of monitoring one of the unique Acropora cervicornis patches. 

With the recent interest in listing A. cervicornis as a protected species, it is important to note that 

BCA A. cervicornis cover increased slightly from 31% in 2003 to 39% in 2004. 
 

17

Despite their reduced diversity and coral cover compared to reefs in the Florida Keys, the coral 

reefs of southeast Florida represent a significant economic resource to the region. Between June 

2000 and May 2001 visitors spent 28 million person-days enjoying artificial and natural reefs in 

southeast Florida. During the same period, reef related expenditures amounted to some 1.81 

billion dollars and generated 61,300 jobs in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties 

(Johns et al., 2003). 

These important economic and recreational benefits are threatened as the coral reef environments 

of southeast Florida are under varied and chronic stressors. This area is highly urbanized along 

the coast. Dredging for beach renourishment, channel deepening, and channel maintenance can 

have significant impacts on water quality. Chronic turbidity and deposition of silt can smother 

sessile invertebrates and result in barren areas. Nearshore reef areas are at risk from diverting of 

millions of gallons of fresh water into the ocean, and the resultant reduction in salinity and 

introduction of agricultural and industrial chemical contamination, and excess nutrients. 

Impacts from boating and fishing activities are a significant threat to reef areas as damage from 

fishing gear and anchoring can be severe. Adverse impacts from SCUBA divers can also occur. 

Traffic from large ports (Miami, Port Everglades, and Palm Beach) including cruise and 

container ships, military vessels, and oil tankers, can conflict with reef resources. Ships 

occasionally run aground and anchor on reefs causing extensive, and often long-lasting damage. 

Other recent impacts include those of the installation of fiber optic cables deployed across the 

reefs, which may cause abrasion and detachment of corals and sponges (Jaap, 2000). 

The chronic nature of disturbances to, and the significant economic value of the southeast 

Florida reefs requires comprehensive, long-term monitoring be conducted to define change and 

help identify threats to the ecosystem. Scientifically valid monitoring of reefs will help local 

resource managers understand the implications of actions occurring in terrestrial and adjacent 

marine habitats. This knowledge is necessary if resource managers are to development sound 

management plans for coral reefs that permit continued use, and realization of the economic 

value of these fragile marine ecosystems. 

The expansion of the Coral Reef Monitoring Project to include sites in Broward, Miami-Dade, 

and Palm Beach Counties has insured that this minimum suite of parameters is being monitored 

for the full extent of the Florida coral reef ecosystem. One of the goals of the NOAA Coral 

Ecosystem Monitoring Program is monitoring with an explicit link to assessing the efficacy of 

"coastal" management strategies. While a true effects study designed to assist resource managers 

gauge potential effects from past or future impacts (e.g., beach renourishment, pipelines, etc.) is 

not possible with our limited sample size, local resource managers (County) were directly 

involved in choosing the sample sites and were present during the site selection field work. Site 

BCA (Broward County Acropora cervicornis patch) is an example of a site specifically chosen 

by State and County resource managers in order to monitor potential changes to this unique area. 

The partnership with Nova Southeastern University and its constituent National Coral Reef 

Institute has worked to expand local capacity for maintaining long-term monitoring sites, 

complementing those being sampled as part of the National Coral Reef Monitoring Network. As 
 

18

a monitoring project under the Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program for the Florida east coast, 

the SECREMP will continue characterization of baseline ecosystem condition, 

inventory/mapping of biotic resources, and data base development, providing resource managers 

with the critical information required to manage this valuable natural resource. 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

The following Fish & Wildlife Research Institute personnel assisted with project planning, 

management, site selection, and data collection and management and analysis: Jennifer Wheaton, 

Carl Beaver, Walter Jaap, Mike Callahan, Selena Kupfner, Shannon Wade, Jim Kidney, Stopher 

Slade, Erin McDevitt, Eric Ault, and Fred Voss. 

The following NCRI personnel assisted with project planning, management, data collection, 

analysis, and report writing: David S. Gilliam, Brian E. Ettinger, Daniel Fahy, Elizabeth Fahy, 

Shaun Gill, Jamie A. Monty, Lauren Shuman, Brian Walker, and Richard E. Dodge. 

The following Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management 

personnel assisted with project planning, and site selection: Tim McIntosh and Steven Blair. 

The following Broward County Environmental Protection Department personnel assisted with 

project planning, site selection, and data collection: Ken Banks, Lou Fisher, Dave Stout, and Joe 

Ligas. 

The following Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management personnel assisted 

with project planning and site selection: Janet Phipps. 

LITERATURE CITED 

Dodge, R.E., W. Goldberg, G.G. Messing and S. Hess. 1995. Final report Biological monitoring 

of the Hollywood-Hollandale beach renourishment. Prepared for the Broward County (BC) 

Board of County Commissioners, BC Dep. of Natural Resources (DNR), Biological Resources 

Division (BRD). 103 pp. 

Gilliam, D.S., R.E. Dodge, R.E. Spieler, S.T. Thornton and L.K.B. Jordan. 2001 Marine 

Biological monitoring in Broward County, Florida: Year 1 Annual Report. Technical Report 01-

08. Prepared for the BC Board of County Commissioners, BC DNR, BRD. 62 pp. 

Gilliam, D.S., R.E. Dodge, R.E. Spieler, S.T. Thornton and L.K.B. Jordan. 2002 Marine 

Biological monitoring in Broward County, Florida: Year 2 Annual Report. Technical Report 02-

01. Prepared for the BC Board of County Commissioners, BC DNR, BRD. 67 pp. 

Jaap, W.C. 2000. Coral reef restoration. Ecological Engineering. Vol.15:345-364. 

Johns, G.M., V.R. Leeworthy, F.W. Bell, and M.A. Bonn. 2003. Socioeconomic study of reefs in 

southeast Florida October 19, 2001 as revised April 18, 2003. Silver Spring MD: Special 

Projects NOS 255 pp.