Belize Bleaching Update
Michael P. Lesser
mpl at christa.unh.edu
Wed Jun 19 10:23:53 EDT 1996
Having just returned from Belize at Carrie Bow Cay I wanted to update the
reports of widespread bleaching there in 1995 on the coral-list. At this
time temperatures have returned to their seasonal norms (27=B0C @ 15-20 m an=
d
28-29=B0C at <1m) at mid-day. Surveys of both the outer and inner reefs at
Carrie Bow and adjacent areas suggest widespread recovery of corals. An
occasional sample of Agaricia lamarki (@15 m or greater) or Montastrea
annularis (Morphotype I and II in 1-5 m) still appear to be recovering, or
recently bleached, as suggested by their mottled coloration. No widespread
mortality of corals, that might be attributable to the 1995 bleaching
event, was evident as well.
Michael P. Lesser
University of New Hampshire
Departments of Zoology and Microbiology
Durham, NH 03824
(603) 862-3442 (W)
(603) 862-3784 (FAX)
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