Stoddart J, Jones R, Page C, Marnane M, De Lestang P, Elsdon T. No effect of dredging on the prevalence of coral disease detected during a large dredging program.
Mar Pollut Bull 2019;
140:353-363. [PMID:
30803655 DOI:
10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.01.047]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The frequency of disease within coral communities was evaluated using an 18-month series of coral photographs taken before, during, and after a major dredging program at Barrow Island, off Australia's northwest coast. Up to 60 corals were assessed repeatedly at each of four dredging 'impact' sites (<1 km from dredging), and four 'reference' sites (>20 km from dredging). Contrary to an earlier report, the frequency of occurrence of coral disease (usually <5% of corals) was not significantly altered by dredging. The pattern of occurrence of coral disease does not constitute a suitable early warning bioindicator of dredging impacts on coral. This study suggests that disease is difficult to measure and evaluate, and is not a key indicator in the potential impacts of dredging on coral health. We propose that environmental monitoring during dredging should continue to focus on known impact indicators.
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