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Spatial patterns and ecology of benthic communities on a high-latitude South Florida (Broward County, USA) reef system

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Abstract

High-latitude reef communities consisting of typical Caribbean fauna of variable composition and density exist on four parallel ridges at varying depths along the Broward County (Florida, USA) coast. Two of these ridges, at 7–13 and 15–30 m in depth, are drowned early Holocene coral reefs of 5 and 7 ky uncorrected radiocarbon age. In this study, community data were collected on each reef using 50-m, line-intercept transects. Using multivariate non-metric statistics, the data show distinct differences in benthic community structure across several spatial gradients. Diversity indices revealed that while all values were low, species diversity (H′) was consistent throughout the county, and species richness (d) and evenness (J′) increased along a north-south gradient. Scleractinian coral (27 species) cover was low (<6%) in all areas, and Montastrea cavernosa dominated as the major hermatypic scleractinian. Notably absent was the major Caribbean reef-builder Acropora palmata. A rich alcyonacean fauna was present on all studied reefs, and these were typically the most important faunal group determining community structure. Although during the 2-year period 2000–2002 mean water temperatures never fell below 20 °C, scleractinia were small in size.

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Acknowledgements

This study was made possible by funding from the Broward County DPEP and the National Coral Reef Institute through the NOAA Coastal Ocean Program under award number NA16OA1443. B.R. was also supported by Austrian Science Foundation grant FWF P13165-GEO, which covered all geological investigations. B. Precht and PBS&J aided in the handling of some grant funds. The following people helped with data collection and boat handling: M. Cho, Capt. B. Ettinger, D. Gilliam, E. Glynn, J. Keck, Capt. L. Robinson, S. Thornton, and J. Vernacchio. LADS bathymetry made available by Broward County DPEP. B. Walker processed LADS data and provided LADS images. M. Izaguerre (NOAA) assembled and processed temperature data. Comments and suggestions from P. Larcombe and S. Smithers greatly improved the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Coral Reef Institute, Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center, 8000 North Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, FL, 33004, USA

    Ryan P. Moyer, Bernhard Riegl & Richard E. Dodge

  2. Broward County Department of Planning and Environmental Protection, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 33301, USA

    Kenneth Banks

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  1. Ryan P. Moyer
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  2. Bernhard Riegl
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  3. Kenneth Banks
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  4. Richard E. Dodge
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Correspondence to Ryan P. Moyer.

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Moyer, R.P., Riegl, B., Banks, K. et al. Spatial patterns and ecology of benthic communities on a high-latitude South Florida (Broward County, USA) reef system. Coral Reefs 22, 447–464 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-003-0334-1

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