| To assess the status of coral formations dominated by Acropora palmata (APF) and A. cervicornis (ACF) in the Tayrona National Natural Park (TNNP), Colombian Contribución No. 855 del Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras – INVEMAR Caribbean, a study was conducted at the bays of Chengue, Gayraca, Nenguange and Cinto between May- December 2001. The distribution and extension of the formations in the study area were evaluated by swimming along the coast and using draft maps, a GPS and a calibrated flow-meter, and their living cover were estimated in quadrat-belt transects (1x10 m). Atotal of 29 APF (119320 m2) and 12 ACF (21760 m2) were assessed. Almost all the APF exhibited living colonies of A. palmata, but the mean cover by this species reached... |
