Effects of St. Lucie Estuarine Discharge Water and Thermal Stress on the Coral Montastraea cavernosa
Date of Award
2017
Document Type
Thesis
Publication Status
Version of Record
Submission Date
October 2026
Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]
Voss, Joshua
Abstract
Coral reef declines, particularly in coastal zones, have been linked to thermal stress and anthropogenic impacts on water quality. St. Lucie Reef near Stuart, Florida receives increased estuarine efflux as a result of watershed changes and management policies that have substantially altered historic, natural flows. This research used ambient and elevated temperatures (25°C and 30°C, respectively), and offshore versus St. Lucie Estuarine discharge water to investigate the individual and interactive effects of thermal and water quality stress on Montastraea cavernosa, a dominant scleractinian coral species at St. Lucie Reef. These goals were accomplished using ex-situ, factorial, experimental design that was supplemented with existing in-situ monitoring on St. Lucie Reef. Zooxanthellae density and chlorophyll content were evaluated to determine effects on the corals and their symbionts. Zooxanthellae populations were significantly affected by thermal stress. Significant interactions between temperature and water treatment were observed, suggesting that the impacts of discharge water may be supplanted when corals are exposed to thermal stress. In a supplement to the experiment, M. cavernosa colonies transplanted from Palm Beach to St. Lucie Reef demonstrated resilience despite exposure to more variable environmental conditions. Collaborative partnerships with multiple state agencies and local government offices facilitated data sharing to inform decision making for South Florida’s resource management strategies. Creating effective resource management is crucial for the conservation of coastal ecosystems impacted by land-based sources of pollution both locally and globally.
Extent
91 p.
Recommended Citation
Shatters, Alycia, "Effects of St. Lucie Estuarine Discharge Water and Thermal Stress on the Coral Montastraea cavernosa" (2017). Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019. 1688.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general_6/1688
Identifier
FA00004843
Comments
Includes bibliography.|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Includes bibliography.