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Track: Oceanography, Coastal Zone, Marine Resources
Eric Treml
University of Charleston
205 Fort Johnson Road
Charleston, SC 29412
Telephone: 803-795-9877
Fax: 803-953-5446
E-mail: tremle@folly.cofc.edu
Mitchell W. Colgan
Using a GIS in Studying the Landscape Ecology of Coral Reefs: Example from St. John, USVI
Defining Issue: Benthic invertebrates dominate coral reef ecosystems and are often spatially limited. Physical and biological factors that control coral community development operate along a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. To better understand the processes and patterns within coral reefs, each of these controlling and limiting factors must be assessed on the appropriate temporal and spatial scale. GIS Solution: Using a GIS appears to be the most appropriate tool in managing and analyzing the multiple temporal and spatial layers involved in the ecological development and maintenance of coral reef ecosystems. Methodology: Aerial photography and detailed submarine in situ survey and historical information were used to build the comprehensive St. John database. Coverages include Holocene carbonate thickness, water quality, current regime, substrate characteristics, coastal topography, bay geometry, watershed size, sedimentation, tropical storm impact, bathymetry, species diversity, species
evenness, and coral cover. Querying the database reveals spatial correlation that may provide new insight to reef development processes. Software: The GIS ArcInfo and ArcView were used to display and analyze the multiple layers of spatial data. The purpose is to emphasize the usefulness of a GIS for the analysis of the complex coral reef ecosystem.
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