TRESPALACIOS, D.*; BEULIG, A.; New College of Florida; New College of Florida: Coral Luminescent Banding as Environmental Indicator in Bocas del Toro, Panama

Coral luminescent banding is explored as a potential environmental indicator in the region of Bocas del Toro, Panama. The luminescent banding pattern in two specimens of Porites astreoides taken from Almirante Bay in Bocas del Toro was examined to determine: 1) if there was a general banding pattern observable within a single cross section of coral, 2)if the banding patterns on cross sections from different corals taken from the same reef system exhibit a similar pattern, 3) if coral banding patterns can be effectively related to rainfall and river run off data. Bocas del Toro can be representative of many reef ecosystems in the wider Caribbean and also of reef ecosystems adjacent to growing coastal communities in developing countries. Reef ecosystems in the Bocas Archipelago are under stress from a variety of anthropogenic activities, and have witnessed severe decline over the last 15 years. The possible causes for reef decline are considered. In particular, problems of excessive resource use and sedimentation appear to have the greatest effects in Almirante Bay, in Bocas. Coral luminescent banding is presented as a possible methodology to derive information about environmental conditions over time. It is an especially attractive technique for use in these areas because it is a relatively easy and inexpensive method of constructing environmental records. It is readily accessible to those areas that need it the most.