Population dynamics and community structure of octocoral species (coelesterate: anthozoa: octocorallia) at Coiba National park, pacific Panama

A significant natural population decline of octocorals was observed across all study sites in Coiba National Park, Pacific Panama, without altering the overall community structure. However, distinct recovery trajectories were noted following anthropogenic disturbances. The study employed ecological descriptors like Rényi diversity profiles and Rank Abundance Distribution (RAD) plots to analyze community changes, alongside ordination analysis of similarities and abundance spectrums to assess disturbance impacts. This research highlights octocorals' resilience to population decline but varying recovery dynamics post-disturbance, underscoring their ecological importance in the Tropical Eastern Pacific.

Gómez Gómez, Catalina. (2012). Population dynamics and community structure of octocoral species (coelesterate: anthozoa: octocorallia) at Coiba National park, pacific Panama [McGill University]. https://doi.org/10.82308/47