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automated and data transferred by satellite transmission to the main support facility, the Marine Science and 

 Conservation Center on Long Key, roughly midway in the chain of islands. The data will be used to establish 

 long-term trends along the geographic scope of the reef tract and as support information for the more site 

 specific studies designed to fill in known data gaps. 



Four site specific studies are planned to fill these data gaps and are as follows. 



1. Water circulation and transport (N. Smith, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution) 



The water circulation and transport studies will focus on quantifying water exchange (tidal and non- 

 tidal) between Florida Bay and the reef tract. Secondarily, net transport from the island chain to the 

 reefs will be determined. 



2. Coral reef dynamics (J. Porter, University of Georgia; W. Jaap, Florida Department of Natural 

 Resources) 



The coral dynamics portion will use photographic recording of quadrants to determine long-term changes 

 in coral coverage and growth. This will build on an existing five year library for Key Largo and Looe 

 Key. The process will be automated to make it more suitable for management purposes. 



3. Ecological and physiological indicators of coral health (A. Szmant, University of Miami) 



This portion of the program will evaluate a variety of factors influencing coral growth such as incidence 

 of disease, biomass of zooxanthellae, and recruitment. Coral growth will be measured directly using 

 Alizarin Red techniques. 



4. Nutrient dynamics (A. Szmant, University of Miami) 



The integrated effect of increased nutrients will be assessed using settling tiles (caged and uncaged) to 

 determine the growth of macroalgae. Additionally, macroalgae will be plotted in selected quadrants at 

 the core sites and assessed quarterly to determine seasonal and longer term trends. 



While the environmental monitoring stations and site specific studies will provide much needed information to 

 develop effective management strategies for the Florida Keys reef tract, none of these strategies will be effective 

 without broad based public support. It is quite likely that any effective management will involve further 

 restriction of activities on the reef. Therefore, we have incorporated in this program a means of public education 

 via a videotape explaining the relationship of the reef to the larger seascape and how man's activities affect this 

 ecosystem. 



