Abstract

The degree of resilience of six reef crest sites was compared at the east of the gulf of Batabanó, Cuba. Three of them were located at the north of the gulf of Cazones (Northern Stretch), while the remaining ones at west of Cayo Largo (Southern Stretch). Those of the Northern Stretch were Cazones beacon, north of the crest of Diego Pérez key and Diego Pérez beacon. The remaining sites were those of the Rico key, Los Ballenatos reefs, and Hijos de Los Ballenatos reefs. The AGRRA biological indicators were applied. The Northern Stretch presented the most resilient crests, mainly that of Cazones beacon. Those of the Southern Stretch did not reveal signs of resilience. Several interrelated factors were apparently more linked to resilience. Four of them were considered as driving forces: shelter from waves, usual cyclonic revolving water circulation in the Cazones cove, nutrient input from the great Zapata swamp and deep water, and the abundance of the herbivore sea urchin Diadema antillarum. Triggered by these driving forces, the remaining factors apparently were: less effect of waves and sediments; stabilization of live coral fragments; favorable benthic macro-algae indices; some retention of nutrient and plankton; increased coral heterotrophic feeding; better conditions for recruit settlement and viability, and for coral re-sheeting; faster coral growth and recuperation; and better thermal conditions against coral bleaching. Unexpectedly, in these specific conditions, herbivore and carnivore fish average biomass and density did not reveal to exert a clear influence in inferred higher resilience at Cazones beacon reef crest.

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