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Bonaire and Curaçao

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Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems

Part of the book series: Coral Reefs of the World ((CORW,volume 12))

Abstract

Bonaire and Curaçao are oceanic islands surrounded by coral reefs on their leeward sides extending steeply down to mesophotic depths (30–150 m). Easy access from shore, as well as the geopolitical context of the two islands, has made the mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) of Bonaire and Curaçao among the most well studied in the world. MCE research has been conducted in the region since the 1970s, and ongoing research employs state-of-the-art exploration technologies such as manned submersibles, autonomous underwater vehicles, and mixed-gas, rebreather technology. Mesophotic coral communities in Bonaire and Curaçao are typically dominated by agariciids, with Agaricia lamarcki and A. grahamae covering a substantial proportion of the substrate at upper mesophotic depths (30–60 m), while the lower mesophotic (>60 m) consists predominantly of A. grahamae and A. undata. Although much of the habitat is dominated by sediment with only patchy coral growth, in some locations coral assemblages can cover up to 100% of the seafloor down to depths of 70–85 m. Recent biodiversity studies, mostly focusing on fishes, sponges, and corals, documented only limited overlap between shallow and mesophotic reef communities, and that MCE biodiversity is strongly structured by depth. Since MCEs in Bonaire and Curaçao harbor highly specialized communities facing specific threats deriving from their proximity to urbanized land, these ecosystems warrant new management policies and conservation measures. These measures should protect the whole extent of these reefs, which rank among the healthiest in the Caribbean region.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the STINAPA Marine Park Bonaire, the CARMABI Foundation, and the Sea Aquarium Curaçao, in particular the crew of the Curasub, for supporting research on Bonaire’s and Curaçao’s MCEs over the years. We are also grateful to funding sources supportive of MCE research on the islands, in particular the XL Catlin Group, the Austrian Science Funds (FWF), the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), the University of Amsterdam (UvA), and the Smithsonian Institution. Bonaire AUV MCE surveys were funded by the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research Award #NA07OAR4600291. PRF was supported by the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT) through fellowship SFRH/BPD/110285/2015.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal

    Pedro R. Frade

  2. CARMABI Foundation, Piscaderabaai z/n, Willemstad, Curaçao

    Pedro R. Frade, Pim Bongaerts, Rolf P. M. Bak & Mark J. A. Vermeij

  3. ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia

    Pim Bongaerts

  4. Department of Vertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA

    Carole C. Baldwin

  5. School of Marine Science and Policy, College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA

    Arthur C. Trembanis

  6. Coastal Systems, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Utrecht University, Texel, The Netherlands

    Rolf P. M. Bak

  7. Aquatic Microbiology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Mark J. A. Vermeij

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  1. Pedro R. Frade
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  6. Mark J. A. Vermeij
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Correspondence to Pedro R. Frade .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Yossi Loya

  2. National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Silver Spring, MD, USA

    Kimberly A. Puglise

  3. Biodiversity and Geosciences Program, Museum of Tropical Queensland, Queensland Museum Network, Townsville, QLD, Australia

    Tom C.L. Bridge

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Frade, P.R., Bongaerts, P., Baldwin, C.C., Trembanis, A.C., Bak, R.P.M., Vermeij, M.J.A. (2019). Bonaire and Curaçao. In: Loya, Y., Puglise, K., Bridge, T. (eds) Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems. Coral Reefs of the World, vol 12. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92735-0_9

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