Fish Prevalence Research

I was able to go to Belize through a course I was taking at my university. I have posted the research below that was done through my visit to Belize.



Kyndall McDorman
Dr. Erik Terdal
Coral Reef Zoology
July 30, 2009

Fish Prevalence in Corals or Grass Flats?
Caye Caulker, Belize


Introduction
Ocean creatures live in certain areas or near certain objects for various reasons including survival. I am interested in researching this topic because it may explain why corals are important for fish and their dependence on them. This would, in turn, explain why we need to protect our corals. I would also like to know where the richest fish life exists so I will know where to look while diving or snorkeling. I hypothesize that I will find fish prevalence to be greater in or around corals because of the benefits of nourishment, shelter, etc. that corals naturally provide. What I remember from snorkeling and diving leads me to believe that fish richness was greatest in and around the corals.

Research Question
Do fish populations have prevalence in grass flats or corals?

Procedure
I am using 19 underwater pictures from a recent trip to Caye Caulker, Belize as my data. The pictures show fish near grass flats and corals. I will calculate the number of fish in each photo in the two different areas. These numbers will allow me to come to a conclusion as to the prevailing area for the fish.
Results
Photo Grass Flat or Coral # of Fish
1 Grass Flat 1
2 Grass Flat 1
3 Coral 1
4 Grass Flat 1
5 Grass Flat 1
6 Grass Flat 0
7 Grass Flat 1
8 Coral 16
9 Coral 22
10 Coral 2
11 Coral 6
12 Coral 19
13 Grass Flat 5
14 Grass Flat 1
15 Grass Flat 21
16 Grass Flat 4
17 Coral 0
18 Grass Flat 4
19 Grass Flat 0

Total # of Fish Out of 12 Grass Flat Photos: 40
Total # of Fish Out of 7 Coral Area Photos: 66

Averages:
Grass Flat 3.33
Coral 9.43

74% of fish remain in or around corals
26% of fish remain in grass flats




Discussion
The results show that my hypothesis is correct. Fish are more abundant in or around corals. Nearly 75% of the research points to corals. Coral reefs provide a way for many fish to reproduce, eat, make a home, and stay hidden from predators and this is supported by my results. (1)
The fish populations in the grass flats were usually a single larger fish or a school of fish. This suggests that the grass flats do not provide much protection. The open area does not act very well as a shield from ocean dangers. The majority of the grass flat photos contain a one larger sized fish that may have better luck protecting itself from predators. The other grass flat photos containing the schools of fish suggest that they stick together as a means of security and protection.
Many fish need corals to survive as shown by this research. It is our duty as human beings to protect the corals that will, in turn, protect the fish. If we do not pay attention to their health, we will lose corals and fish species will begin to disappear.
“The marine fishes reach their greatest diversity in the coral reef ecosystems. Increasing pollution, urban development, mining activities, deforestation and destructive fishing are endangering the coral reef and its fish diversity.” (2)
-Luis A. Rocha
Works Cited
(1) Deloach, N. , Humann, P. Reef Fish Behavior. New World Publications, Inc. Jacksonville, FL. 2008.

(2) Rocha Lab. 2009. www.luizrocha.com/academic/home.html. Accessed 26 July 2009.

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