{"id":211,"date":"2010-01-01T22:49:37","date_gmt":"2010-01-01T22:49:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.reefrelieffounders.com\/science\/?p=211"},"modified":"2010-01-15T00:57:12","modified_gmt":"2010-01-15T00:57:12","slug":"journal-of-applied-ecology-effects-of-recreational-scuba-diving-on-coral-reefs-trampling-on-reef-flat-communities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reefrelieffounders.com\/science\/2010\/01\/01\/journal-of-applied-ecology-effects-of-recreational-scuba-diving-on-coral-reefs-trampling-on-reef-flat-communities\/","title":{"rendered":"Journal of Applied Ecology: Effects Of Recreational Scuba Diving On Coral Reefs: Trampling On Reef-Flat Communities by J. Hawkins, C. Roberts"},"content":{"rendered":"

http:\/\/www.britishecologicalsociety.org\/journals_publications\/journalofappliedecology\/index.php<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Julie P. Hawkins and Callum M. Roberts
\nResearch Center, Sharim-el- Sheikh, Egypt
\n<\/span>Journal of Applied Ecology 1993, 30, p.25-30.<\/p>\n

ABSTRACT<\/p>\n

This study investigated the effects of trampling by scuba divers and snorkelers on reef-flats of coral reefs near Sharim-el- Sheikh, a popular resort in Egypt.<\/p>\n

There were significantly more damaged coral colonies and loose fragments of live coral rocks in heavily trampled areas. Percentage cover of bare rock and rubble was also significantly greater; conversely numbers of hard coral colonies and total percentage of live coral cover were lower.<\/p>\n

Coral colonies were smaller in trampled compared to control areas, with average height and diameter significantly less in heavily trampled areas. An area regularly visited be snorkelers exhibited intermediate effects.<\/p>\n

Coral species composition and the relative abundances of different coral growth forms did nor appear to be affected by the trampling.<\/p>\n

Several of the effects detected differed between outer and middle zones of the reef flat, suggesting that some communities were more vulnerable to trampling than others.<\/p>\n

In addition to causing biological damage, trampling reduced the aesthetic appeal of the reef-flat for tourists. An effective management strategy might therefore be to contain trampling within narrow areas rather than allowing free access by divers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

http:\/\/www.britishecologicalsociety.org\/journals_publications\/journalofappliedecology\/index.php Julie P. Hawkins and Callum M. Roberts Research Center, Sharim-el- Sheikh, Egypt Journal of Applied Ecology 1993, 30, p.25-30. ABSTRACT This study investigated the effects of trampling by scuba divers and snorkelers on reef-flats of coral reefs near Sharim-el- Sheikh, a popular resort in Egypt. There were significantly more damaged coral colonies and loose … Continue reading Journal of Applied Ecology: Effects Of Recreational Scuba Diving On Coral Reefs: Trampling On Reef-Flat Communities by J. Hawkins, C. Roberts<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-211","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t