Marine Science Faculty Publications
Foraminifera as Bioindicators of Water Quality: The FoRAM Index Revisited
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-2020
Keywords
Benthic foraminifera, Coral reefs, Monitoring, Environmental assessment
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113612
Abstract
Coral reefs worldwide are degrading at alarming rates due to local and global stressors. There are ongoing needs for bioindicator systems that can be used to assess reef health status, the potential for recovery following destructive events such as tropical storms, and for the success of coral transplants. Benthic foraminiferal shells are ubiquitous components of carbonate sediment in reef environments that can be sampled at minimal cost and environmental impact. Here we review the development and application of the FoRAM Index (FI), which provides a bioindicator metric for water quality that supports reef accretion. We outline the strengths and limitations of the FI, and propose how it can be applied more effectively across different geographical regions.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Environmental Pollution, v. 257, art. 113612
Scholar Commons Citation
Prazeres, Martina; Martinez-Colon, Michael; and Hallock, Pamela, "Foraminifera as Bioindicators of Water Quality: The FoRAM Index Revisited" (2020). Marine Science Faculty Publications. 1304.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/msc_facpub/1304
