The Geological Oceanography Program at UPR has been involved in coral reef studies for more than 30 years. Theory, concept and ideas are best expressed in areas where coral reef studies have been conducted. In this section we will present five of the areas that have been investigated.
Mayaguez - Research, thesis activity and consulting have provided a fairly large data bank for this area. This was also the site for a Sea Grant Program funded research study in 2001.
Parguera - This is the site of many student theses, faculty research and other studies. The best basic guide to the area is the USGS map of Parguera-Guanica.
Guanica-Guayanilla-west Ponce - These reefs have been heavily impacted by sediment influx following the construction of a refinery complex at Guayanilla in the late 1960's. This site offers a marked contrast to the reefs at Parguera.
Ponce - Both heavily impacted reef areas and clean water healthy reefs can be found close to one another. A long study for construction of a deep water outfall and UPR theses provide data.
Jobos - This is the location of the NOAA Estuarine Sanctuary. Studies of the coral reefs go back to the 1980's.
Mona - The University has no active research program at Mona. The logistics of travel to this site and lack of a cooperative program between the Department of Marine Sciences and DNER precludes active research. The material presented is a collection of the limited data available.
