Coral Reef Assessment at Ritidan Unit, Guam NWR

1. Characterize benthic structure and coral assemblages within the Refugeâ¿¿s boundaries. 2. Provide an inventory of all coral species found in the fore reef (lower spur and groove and upper terrace) and reef flats (i.e., back reef & reef crest) to include presence/absence of ESA listed corals. 3. Determine the presence/absence of coral disease, coral bleaching, or predation upon corals. 4. Produce a final product report that includes photos of coral species and assemblage, benthic GIS maps showing benthic structure and coral species locations, and provide measures of coral diversity, and abundance. A comparison of data collected from the transects surveyed in the previous study will be made.