Week Four Location: KML

Pillar Patch Description by Bailey Slater and Caitie Turnbull

           

Throughout our week at the Keys Marine Lab, we visited several marine ecosystem sites and documented the biodiversity and unique characteristics that were seen. Specifically, on Wednesday we traveled to an offshore marine area noted as Pillar Patch.

 The sun was concealed behind a sky heavy with clouds and the ocean winds created a slight current throughout the water column. Approximately twenty feet below the surface, Thalassia seagrass beds, sponges, and corals scattered throughout the sandy bottom. Although coral coverage was much lower in this site compared to the previously seen Coffin Patch, it provided habitat for nearly fifty-five pillar corals (Dendrogyra cylindrus) and allowed for incredibly high biodiversity. As well, this site contained no artificial reefs and much lower human impact than at the nearby site, Coffin Patch.

           

Pillar Patch consisted of many three-dimensional structures including corals, sponges, and algae. Thus, it provided habitat and protection for numerous organisms. Blue Tang, Rock Beauties, and Queen Angelfish fluttered over coral heads and Sergeant Majors curiously inspected the boat’s hull. 

Parrotfish plucked algae from corals while Squirrelfish hid carefully within rocky crevices. The entire reef was embellished with life and every place we explored seemed to introduce new species. 

Corals such as Porites astreoides, Siderastrea radians, and Acropora cervicornis carpeted the habitat. Vase sponges held tiny organisms such as juvenile Bicolor and Beaugregory Damselfish. Spiny Lobster hid in tight fractures between the corals and sediment. Overall, Pillar Patch contained high diversity and abundance of species. It was wonderful to observe an ecosystem so alive and thriving.