Results
Location
Differences by Individual Taxonomic Groups
General Methods
I ran a one-way ANOVA in JMP for each
coral taxonomic group that was identified, comparing the distributions at
John Smith's, Whalebone, and the Causeway. If the results were significant
(f < or = .005) I ran another test, Tukey Kramer, to determine which
locations were responsible for the difference.
Hard Corals
The mustard coral did not vary
between locations (ANOVA, Tukey F = .255), while the brain corals did. In all cases D. strigosa and
P. astreoides made up most of the hard coral assemblage, with D. labrynthiformis comprising a small portion of the population. D. strigosa
was found in a statistically significant lower density at the causeway
(ANOVA, Tukey F = .0002), while D. labrinthiformis was in higher
density at John Smith's Bay (ANOVA, Tukey F = .0012).
While not quantified, it was noticed that the D. labrynthiformis had no large
individuals, and most were smaller, younger, then the D. strigosa at every
site. The ANOVA information, graphical depiction, and explanations can be
seen in the link above.
Hard Corals -
in depth tables
Soft
Corals
Gorgonia vantalina
(sea fan) was not present at John Smiths, and was not different in number
between the two other sites (ANOVA, Tukey F = .039). There was more of the
Plexaurella
sp. (common sea rod) in both
John Smith and Whalebone then at the Causeway (ANOVA, Tukey, F = .0001). Briareum asbestinum (Corky
Sea fingers) were found to have no variation between the three main
locations (ANOVA, Tukey, F = .054).
Soft Corals -
in depth tables
|
|
J.S. |
W.B. |
C. |
|
D. strigosa |
↑ |
↑ |
↓ |
|
D. Labyrinthiformis |
↑ |
↓ |
↓ |
|
Porites astreoides |
↔ |
↔ |
↔ |
|
Gorgonia vantalina |
---------------- |
↑ |
↑ |
|
Plexaurella |
↑ |
↑ |
↓ |
|
Briareum asbestinum |
↔ |
↔ |
↔ |
|
Sum vector |
↑↑↑ |
↑↑ |
↓↓ |
Location Differences in Overall Biodiversity
The Shannon evenness index for both John
Smith’s Bay and Whalebone Bay
was high, indicating species richness and evenness, while the index value at
the Castle Harbor Causeway was much lower. (SHEI; JS 0.82, WB .84, C
.28).
The Shannon evenness index was conducted
for both North Rock and Wells Bay based on their approximated percent cover
data. Both locations had high values for evenness and richness (SHEI; NR
.93, Wells .82). North rock has a higher index value then Wells Bay, it
also has a higher value then John Smith or Whalebone bay, but this may be
misleading as the data is less exact.