Status of Caribbean Reefs: Initial Results from the Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) Program

Since June, 1998, over twenty large-scale ARGRRA assessments have been undertaken in the western Atlantic covering approximately 300 reef sites. At each site, nonpermanent 10-m line transects were used to measure a suite of standardized benthic parameters including coral cover, coral mortality (recent and old), coral size (diameter and height), coral condition, coral recruits, relative abundance of algae (turf, crustose coralline, and macro), macroalgal height, and Diadema antillarum abundances. In addition, the sizes and abundances of selected fish families were assessed using nonpermanent 30x2 m belt transects and overall fish diversity was measured with a roving diver census. All data have been compiled into a single ACCESS database using standardized species codes and hierarchically defined location codes. These data establish a baseline scale of Caribbean-wide reef condition and can be used to identify degraded, normal, or luxuriant areas.