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Bio-optical water quality trends and back-reef benthic community structure in southwestern Puerto Rico
Juan L Torres-Pérez1, William J Hernández2, Carlos Ramos-Scharrón3
1Biospheric Branch, Earth Science Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States of America.
Marine Pollution Bulletin
|March 21, 2026
Summary
Puerto Rico
Area of Science:
- Marine ecology
- Coral reef science
- Water quality monitoring
Background:
- Guánica Bay and La Parguera Nature Reserve are vital to Puerto Rico's ecosystem and economy.
- These areas face declining coral cover due to climate change and pollution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze benthic composition and coastal water quality in Guánica Bay and LPNR.
- To assess the impact of land-based pollution and climate on coral reef health.
Main Methods:
- Benthic composition data collected from 2014-2018.
- Remotely sensed coastal water quality data (chlorophyll-a and Kd490) from 2012-2021.
- Analysis of river runoff impacts on water quality.
Main Results:
- Back-reef zones dominated by macroalgae and octocorals, with low calcifying coral cover.
- Elevated chlorophyll-a and Kd490 levels exceeding water quality thresholds.
- Reefs exposed to poor water quality for over a decade, indicating a phase shift.
Conclusions:
- Puerto Rico's coral reefs are shifting from coral dominance to macroalgae/octocoral dominance.
- Persistent poor water quality threatens reef resilience.
- Further research with larger temporal scales is needed to understand water quality trends.
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