Biodiversity, ecological structure, and change in the sponge community of different geomorphological zones of the barrier fore reef at C arrie B ow C ay, B elize

A significant shift in the benthic community structure at the barrier fore reef of Carrie Bow Cay, Belize, has been observed between 1978 and 2009. Coral cover has decreased by over 90%, while sponge and octocoral communities have expanded, with six dominant sponge species accounting for 42.6% of the total assemblage. The study analyzed four geomorphological zones—spur-and-groove, inner reef slope, outer ridge, and fore-reef slope—to assess biodiversity, density, diversity, and evenness indexes. Despite statistical similarities across zones, some species exhibit dominance in specific areas, indicating a transition from coral-dominated ecosystems to sponge and octocoral recovery.

Villamizar, E., Díaz, M. C., Rützler, K., & De Nóbrega, R. (2013). Biodiversity, ecological structure, and change in the sponge community of different geomorphological zones of the barrier fore reef atCarrieBowCay,Belize. Marine Ecology, 35(4), 425–435. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/maec.12099