Black Band Disease

What is known about this topic....

Black band disease is a natural phenomenon and not caused as a result of pollution. It is caused mainly by a cyanobacteria called Phormidium corallyticum.
It shows up as a black line with live coral on one side of it and dead coral on the other side.

What is believed to be true, but not yet proven...

High incidence of BBD may be due to adverse environmental conditions and physiological stress

Cyanobacterial toxins may kill corals

What is needed for greater understanding...

Why is this topic important?

BBD is an Important factor in coral reef habitat degradation

Coral reefs are very diverse ecosystems and habitats for many species and if the corals die, then many species will have no habitat to live in

Specific Research question/hypothesis...

I am looking at which corals species are more senstive to black band disease and whether BBD is more common on different regions of the reef

1. Data being gathered...
2. location on the reef
3. type of corals observed with BBD
4. size of the coral
5. % of BBD coverage
6. area(sq m) of the specific sites

Particular ecological/environmental
concerns and factors which influence
this research effort...

Many of the coral reefs throughout the world are being degraded and BBD is one of those causes and also because coral reefs are home to many different species that may not survive if the corals continue to die from the disease

Preliminary evaluation and comments...

I hope to obtain enough information to begin a data base for future studies on the Belize Barrier Reef so one can determine any changes or patterns that are occurring with the corals and BBD