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  Nearshore > Locations > Saipan > Wing Beach and Outside Managaha

 

Saipan's Northern Barrier Reef

The barrier reef on Saipan's northwestern shore extends from Managaha Island to Wing Beach. Along this coast there is little to no influence from land as the lagoon accepts stormwater runoff from Saipans watersheds. Out here, the reefs have high population densities and coverage of many corals, providing a beautiful underwater scene. Persistent, trade-wind generated waves make these reefs inaccessible for much of the year and selects against large coral colony growth.

The photo on the right is a typical scene from these reefs. Dominant corals are Acropora, Pocillopora, Stylophora, Porites, and Montipora. Carbonate deposition is limited, or reef growth over time, is limited due to wave exposure. As a result the topographic complexity is not high as compared with other sheltered locations (Lau Lau Bay, Barcinas Bay, Boy Scout, or Coral Gardens).

 

Benthos

The benthic coverage graph on the right shows that corals, coralline algae, and turf algae dominate these reefs. The ~30% coral coverage is relatively high compared to many other reefs in the CNMI, and the minimal fluctuations over the past 7 years attests to clean, clear waters. Disturbances are marked by black arrows. Most notably, there were high coral-eating starfish populations in the CNMI during 2003-2004 and a decline in coral cover was noted, but rapid recovery followed.

Recent increases in macroalgae are thought to be resultant from a mild climate induced bleaching event evident in 2006, that replaced some corals with algae. Reductions are expected in the coming years.


Wing Beach Benthic Cover

 

Wing Beach Coral Cover

 


Corals

The graph on the left shows changes in the six most abundant coral genera. These corals were differentially impacted by the various natural disturbances (indicated by black arrows). Fast growing, Acropora corals are the favored prey of coral-eating starfish, and also are quick to bleach during climate induced temperature increases. Their decline was accompanied by and increase in the more tolerent Pocillopora, Pavona, and Porites corals. However, rapid recovery of Acropora in 2007 attests to clean, clear waters.


Outside Managaha Benthic Cover



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