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MMS ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM: ONGOING STUDIES |
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MMS OCS Region: |
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Title: |
Post-Hurricane Assessment of Sensitive Habitats of the Flower Garden Banks Vicinity (GM-06-x11) |
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Planning Area: |
Central and Western |
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Total Cost: $357,009 |
Period of Performance: FY 2006-2008 |
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Conducting Organization: |
PBS&J Ecological Sciences |
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MMS Contact: |
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Description: Background: Hurricane Rita entered the Initial assessment of the East and West Flower Garden Banks reveals mechanical damage from the hurricane and a significant bleaching event. Some coral heads over two meters in diameter are overturned. Some instances of meter-sized chunks broken off were observed. Numerous smaller pieces less than a meter were seen wedged into crevices. Sand was moved significantly to expose bottom in some places and bury others. A mass of turbid water passed over the Flower Garden Banks after the storm. The water temperature at the EFGB was high before the storm (300 C), producing the danger of bleaching. The combination of the heat stress and added mechanical stress from the hurricane may have triggered the bleaching or exacerbated bleaching if already in progress. Bleaching on the reef cap was 100% on some species with lesser degrees for others. Bleaching was less evident at deeper depths and disappeared by a depth of 120 feet. There were sixteen other banks closer to the storm track than the EFGB. These lesser known banks do not support thriving coral reefs the same as the Flower Garden Banks. However, they do support a number of the same species of corals and other organisms. These and other banks are important habitats for reef fish and comprise a network of suitable habitats for reef organisms. Sonnier, Geyer, and McGrail Banks are three of the more developed bank habitats in this area. These banks have all been studied in the past to some extent. They are populated by lush assemblages that include sponges, fire coral, star coral, pencil coral, brain coral, and numerous other invertebrates. Since these banks were in the direct path of the hurricane, damage may be more severe than on the East Flower Garden Bank (EFGB). The MMS needs to document direct damage caused by Hurricane Rita at a representative sample of these banks. We also need to assess bleaching of corals that may have occurred following the passage of Hurricane Rita. In addition, it is important to establish the long-term effects by tracking the recovery of both bleached and damaged corals. This assessment is necessary to provide MMS the ability to distinguish between natural impacts and potential impacts from oil and gas activity. The banks in this region are deep, starting around 100 feet. Dive time with SCUBA at these depths is severely limited. The study will need to utilize a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to adequately survey and assess damage at these deeper banks. |
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Objectives: The condition of the communities on these banks and the FGB are important to the health of the ecosystem as a whole. This study will follow up at the EFGB and make assessments at other key banks to determine their condition and track the progress of recovery from Hurricane Rita impacts. This study will enhance MMS’ ability to distinguish natural from anthropogenic impacts. Results from these banks can be considered representative of others in the area and will improve MMS’ ability to make management decisions. |
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Methods: This study will conduct field surveys
at the East Flower Garden Bank and at Sonnier, Geyer,
and possibly West Flower Garden and McGrail Banks to
assess damage caused directly by Hurricane Rita and to track bleaching and damage
recovery. 1. Belt transects will be done where possible using SCUBA to assess the extent of bleaching and the species affected. 2. A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) will be used to film video transects at each bank in depths not feasible with SCUBA. Video transects will be used to make a quantitative assessment of species affected by mechanical damage and bleaching. 3. Roving video surveys will also be used to make a qualitative assessment of the extent of bleaching and direct mechanical damage to the habitat. These will be done with SCUBA and ROV. 4. Other methods may be employed as seem appropriate. |
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Products: Final report with statistical analyses, images products, archived data sets, and peer-reviewed publications. |
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Importance to MMS: The impact of hurricanes to sensitive habitats in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) is crucial to the mission of the MMS to protect the marine and human environment. Topographic features in the GOM comprise a network of sensitive habitats that make up a complex ecosystem that supports coral reef organisms. The MMS needs the ability to distinguish natural impacts from potential oil and gas impacts in order to make informed management decisions to protect this ecosystem. This study will promote understanding of hurricane impacts, characterize the condition of these banks, enhance the ability of the MMS to distinguish natural from anthropogenic impacts, and support MMS’ decision-making capability. |
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Current Status: Awarded June 1, 2006. Draft Final Report under review. |
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Field Work: |
Completed |
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Final Report Due: |
April 2008 |
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Publications: |
None |
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Affiliated WWW Sites: |
Environmental Studies Program Results at the East and West Flower Garden Banks |
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Revised date: |
March 2008 |
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ESPIS |
ESPIS
- All completed ESP Studies: |
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