MERC Biological Station

German Mendez Conducting Biological Study

We are developing working relationships with existing permanent stations in the local Caribbean area. We will also be utilizing our existing relationships with universities throughout the United States and abroad to better serve the marine environment collectively beginning in 2009.

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Permanent Biological Stations - isla Cozumel & Mahahual Mexico

Justification for the establishment of two Permanent Marine Biological Stations

The island of Cozumel, located in the Mexican Caribbean within the state of Quintana Roo, México, has been a frequently visited island because of its underwater beauty, including imposing coral reefs. In 1982 there were 27,000 people living on the island on regular basis, and only about 20 dive stores. In 2008 the island has a population of almost 100,000 people, and about 100 dive stores, multiple hotels and numerous boats.

Four years ago, in 2005, Cozumel was hit by Wilma, a category 5 hurricane. This was a severe storm that remained stationary on the island for 3 days before finally moving away to strike the peninsula of Florida. Wilma, ruthlessly damaged the coral reefs, some being reduced to only rubble (Filip A. L. and Gil I. (2006).

In 1988, Gilbert, another category 5 hurricane, affected the reef systems as well. Two days after Gilbert departed I was personally able to assess the damage, it had the same effect, only rubble was left; all the fish, the coral, the soft corals, and everything else were gone (personal observation). However, within the following 4 to 5 years after the hurricane, the coral and all related marine life were restored. The difference between then (1988), and 2009, was there the absence of human development in the region that exists today.

The foremost question for research and scientific understanding is, with the greater increase in development that there is now on the island, development that continues its yearly increase, will the reefs eventually recover as they did after Hurricane Wilma? Or will the regeneration be the same as with hurricane Gilbert? Will there be more diseases, coral bleaching, sedimentation, global warming effects, and acidification?

It is very important to compare the Cozumel data with the other permanent station in Mahahual, which is a new resort area with a much smaller population. Recovery rates and other pertinent data need to be cross referenced from these different human density populations.

Dr. German Mendez
Science Director, MERC
8/14/2009

The monitoring and outcomes of these biological stations will be of great importance in helping with the management of these areas and our own understanding of the effect hurricanes have on coral reef systems. A wealth of information is waiting to be observed such as transplantation of coral, renovation of species such as the black sea urchin (D. antillarum), water quality control, effects of development, and renourishment of beaches are only some aspects of the type of studies that must be done on a regular basis in order to help with the regeneration and protection concerning this fragile ecosystem contained within the above two Mexican areas as well as the interconnectivity of rest of the Mesoamerican reef systems.