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Spatial heterogeneity of benthic community assemblages with an emphasis on reef algae at French Frigate Shoals, Northwestern Hawai‘ian Islands

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Abstract

Reefs in tropical atoll systems have historically been described on a geomorphic basis, and segregated into loosely defined fore-reef, back-reef, and lagoonal reef zones. However, recent oceanographic monitoring data have shown that physical factors within a single geomorphic zone can vary significantly, calling into question whether benthic communities within a single zone are biologically similar. To determine the amount of benthic variability that may occur in a geomorphic zone, percent cover of benthic organisms was determined at the species level for 28 sites in three geomorphic zones at French Frigate Shoals, Northwestern Hawai‘ian Islands. Multivariate statistical analyses found most windward fore-reef and back-reef sites to be statistically similar, but considerable variation to exist among sites within calmer lagoonal areas. Surveys revealed macroalgae to dominate over scleractinian coral species at the majority of sites in this healthy, subtropical reef system, although select lagoonal areas were dominated by dense coral communities.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank those involved with the field collections analyzed in this study: K. Geisler, J. Kenyon, E. (Klohn) Muse, K. McDermid, R. Okano, L. Preskitt, and B. Stuercke. Special thanks to I. Abbott, J. Kenyon, and W. Kooistra for taxonomic expertise, J. Maragos for use of his field notes, R. Hoeke for map preparation and oceanographic data analysis, J. Smith for statistical advice, and the crews of the RV Rapture and NOAA Ship Townsend Cromwell for field support. Thanks also to M. Albins, R. Brainard, M. Kalson, J. Kendig, J. Kenyon, and J. Smith for critically reviewing the manuscript before submission. Funding to CRED for scientific expeditions to the NWHI was provided through the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation as part of the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program. The Botany Department of the University of Hawai‘i-Mānoa is acknowledged for their support of KAP. This research was conducted under JIMAR’s Coastal Research Theme as part of a cooperative study of the NWHI Coral Reef Ecosystem. The study is funded and directed by the Coral Reef Ecosystem Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, NOAA, Honolulu, Hawai‘i.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, University of Hawai‘i, 1125B Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu, HI, 96814, USA

    Peter S. Vroom & Kimberly N. Page

  2. Department of Botany, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, 3190 Maile Way, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA

    Kimberly N. Page, Kimberly A. Peyton & J. Kanekoa Kukea-Shultz

Authors
  1. Peter S. Vroom
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  2. Kimberly N. Page
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  3. Kimberly A. Peyton
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  4. J. Kanekoa Kukea-Shultz
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Correspondence to Peter S. Vroom.

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Communicated by Ecological Editor Peter Sale

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Vroom, P.S., Page, K.N., Peyton, K.A. et al. Spatial heterogeneity of benthic community assemblages with an emphasis on reef algae at French Frigate Shoals, Northwestern Hawai‘ian Islands. Coral Reefs 24, 574–581 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-005-0028-y

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