López-Hernández María A. 1 , Montilla Luís M. 1 , Verde Alejandra 1, Agudo- Adriani Esteban 1, Rivera Andreína 1, Miyazawa Emy 1 , Mariño Gloria 1 , Ascanio Alfredo 1 , Cróquer Aldo 1*. 1* Laboratorio de Ecología Experimental – Universidad Simón Bolívar. 1 panamalopezh@Gmail.com – Caracas, Venezuela *acroquer@ubs.ve – Caracas, Venezuela • Venezuelan coral reefs: A health assessment using the Reef Health Index with complementary variables THE PROBLEM REEF HEALTH INDEX The implantation and development of new methods aimed to assess the health status of coral reefs is a tenet core for the conservation science of these systems. For years, coral reefs communities have been described in Venezuela; however, no efforts to classify the health status of these systems have been accomplished. Part of the problem is that reefs have being always classified in terms of live coral cover, while other variables clearly linked with healthy reefs have been neglected. We used a modification of the Reef Health Index (RHI) proposed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC, 2016), with the addition of two variable: complexity index and algal turf height; because these two variables are currently seen as important proxies of reef health. HOW DID WE DO IT? The Reef Health “scores” are calculated by converting the average data value of each indicator into a condition ranking from ‘critical’ to ‘very good’ based on reference values (above). The seven scores are averaged to obtain the overall RHI score. In this work, we aimed to assess the health status of 36 reef sites encompassing seven different geographical locations in Venezuela using a multivariate approach. CRITICAL POOR FAIR GOOD VERY GOOD VARIABLES The Reef Health Index Turf Heigth (mm) Scleractinian Cover (%) Complexity Index Forager Fish Biomass (kg/100 m2) Fleshy Algae Cover (%) Commercial Fish Biomass (Kg/100 m2) < 0, 42 ≥ 0,42 - < 0,84 ≥ 0,84 - < 1,26 ≥1,26 - < 1,68 ≥ 1,68 OUR RESULTS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Our results indicated that health conditions in the reef sites of Venezuela are variable; we observed reefs that are in excellent condition, but also, we have degraded reefs. Additionally, this index offers a valuable tool for managers, educators and policy makers interested to implement future conservation actions in Venezuela. Only a few sites within Mochima National Park (Gabarra and San Agustín) and Cubagua (Punta Conejo) were rated as “Poor” and/or “Critical”. “Fair” sites were most likely located in Chichiriviche (La Pared, Punta Media Legua and Petaquire) and Los Frailes (La Pecha). IMPLICATIONS OF OUR FINDINGS Los Roques National Park (Boca de Cote, Rabusqui and Dos Mosquises), Morrocoy National Park (Cayo Norte and Sombrero) and Ocumare (Ciènaga Interno and Ciénada Oeste) the ones with the highest RHI values. 1 Morrocoy 2 Ocumare 3 Chichiriviche 4 Los Roques 5 Mochima 6 Cubagua 7 Los Frailes Boca Seca Bajo Caimán Cayo Medio Cayo Mero Cayo Norte Cayo Sombrero Cayo Sur Ciénaga Interno Ciénaga Este Ciénaga Oeste Guabinitas Tiburòn Media Legua La Pared Petaquire Punta Media Legua Punta Mono La Venada Cayo Agua Boca de Cote Dos Mosquises Madrisqui Rabusqui Salinas Garrapata Carabela Blanca Gabarra Punta Cruz San Agustín Charagato La Muerta Punta Conejo Cominoto La Pecha Puerto Real SITES VALUE Venezuela`s RHI VARIABLES: Forager Fish Biomass Scleractinian Cover Turf Heigth Complexity Index Fleshy Algae Cover Commercial Fish Biomass Overall RHI VALUE: Critical Very Good 1 - 1.8 1.9 - 2.6 2.7 - 3.4 3.5 - 4.2 4.3 - 5 ≥ 16 < 16 - ≥ 12 < 12 - ≥ 8 < 8 - ≥ 4 < 4 < 5 ≥ 5 - < 10 ≥ 10 - < 20 ≥ 20 - < 40 ≥ 40 < 1.5 ≥1.5 - < 2 ≥2 - < 2.5 ≥2.5 - < 3 ≥3 < 0,96 ≥3,48 > 25 ≤ 25 - > 12 ≤ 12 - > 5 ≤ 5 - ≥ 1 < 1 ≥ 2,88 - < 3,48 ≥ 1,98 - < 2,88 ≥ 0,96 - < 1,98