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APPENDIX 1.

Glossary

Sclerochronology

The study of physical and chemical variations in the accretionary hard tissues of organisms,

and the temporal context in which they formed. Sclerochonology focuses primarily upon growth

patterns reflecting annual, monthly, to even sub-daily increments of time. Familiar examples

include annual bandings in reef coral skeletons or daily growth increments in mollusk shells

and fish otoliths. Sclerochronology is analogous to dendrochronology, the study of annual rings

in trees, and equally seeks to deduce organismal life history traits as well as to reconstruct

records of environmental and climatic change through space and time

Scrapers

Herbivores that can actually dig into the substrate or corals, such as parrot fish or urchins.

Secchi disk

Visibility disk used to measure the transparency of the water column.

Sessile

Permanently attached or fixed; not free-moving.

Spawning aggregation Aggregation is loosely defined as at least three times the normal population or grouping of the

species; spawning can be determined by physical or behavioral changes or actual spawning.

Stable isotope

An isotope of a chemical element which is not spontaneously radioactive. Elements can exist

in both stable and unstable (radioactive) forms. Most elements of biological interest (including

C, H, O, N and S) have two or more stable isotopes, with the lightest of these present in much

greater abundance than the others. Among stable isotopes the most useful as biological

tracers are the heavy isotopes of carbon and nitrogen. These two elements are found in earth,

the atmosphere, and all organisms.

Structure

Structural attributes are the key physical components of an ecosystem and their organization,

including abiotic (e.g., sun, water) and biotic (abundance and distribution of organisms)

attributes. Abiotic and biotic parameters contribute to biodiversity by providing different arrays

of organisms and habitats.

Target

A target is the optimally feasible condition or goal to aim for in the next 15-20 years in order to

achieve long-term ecological integrity.

Trace elements

A chemical element required in minute quantities by an organism to maintain proper physical

functioning.

Transect

A line used to survey the distribution of organisms or substrate across a given area. Sample

plots or points are established along the transect for collecting data

Trophic integrity

A balanced, nutritional environment (in tact food web) where complex functional biological

processes are maintained as matter and energy are passed up to successive levels of the

food web.

Trophic level

The specific position or hierarchy in a food web (e.g., primary producer, herbivore, first level

carnivore).

Water quality

Refers to abiotic conditions or qualities such as pH, salinity, turbidity, and nutrient levels.

Zooxanthellae

Single-celled, photosynthetic dinoflagellates that live symbiotically in coral polyp tissue. They

provide corals with food, color, and assist with calcification.

For additional terms see http://coris.noaa.gov/glossary/and http://en.wikipedia.org

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