98-22785 RESO
RESOLUTION NUMBER 98-22785
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE
AWARD OF A CONTRACT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $35,000, TO NOVA
SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY, FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF A
BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH STUDY OF THE TWELVE ARTIFICIAL
REEFS THAT ARE BEING CONSTRUCTED OFFSHORE OF SOUTH
POINTE PARK, PURSUANT TO THE ARTIFICIAL REEF GRANTS
AWARDED TO THE CITY BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AL PROTECTION AND THE MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
MANAGEMENT
WHEREAS, two grants from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's
(FDEP) Artificial Reef Construction Grant Program were accepted and appropriated by the
Mayor and City Commission on November 1, 1995, and September 25, 1996, respectively; and
WHEREAS, an additional Artificial Reef Construction Grant from the Miami-Dade
County Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM), was accepted and
appropriated by the Mayor and City Commission on January 22, 1997; and
WHEREAS, the grants provide for the construction of twelve artificial reefs, about
200 yards off-shore of South Pointe Park, and a research study of the new reefs; and
WHEREAS, construction of the reefs is now underway, pursuant to the Contract
award to Marin & Marin Marine Construction, Inc., authorized by the Mayor and City
Commission on March 18, 1998; and
WHEREAS, the construction of the artificial reefs should be completed by June 22,
1998; and
WHEREAS, funds were provided as part of the Reef Grant Program to have a team
of scientists from Nova Southeastern University monitor the structural stability and the plant
and animal populations of the reefs for a two year period; and
WHEREAS, the project will provide valuable information which will be used to help
develop artificial reef structures that will help prevent beach erosion.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the award of a
Contract, in the amount of$35,000, to Nova Southeastern University, for the performance of
a biological research study of the twelve artificial reefs that are being constructed offshore of
South Pointe Park, pursuant to the Artificial Reef Construction Grants awarded to the City by
the FDEP and the DERM, is hereby approved.
Passed and Adopted this 17th day of June, 1998.
~
ATTEST:
~(L~
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
AM Mj)JiL CIL~
'~/D
A COMPARISON OF LIME-ROCK BOULDERS
AND CONCRETE MODULES FOR ARTIFICIAL
REEF CONSTRUCTION
,,'
A Proposal Submitted to The City of Miami Beach by:
Nova Southeastern University
Submitted by:
/~h~PiI~
Nova Southeastern University
17 April 1998
INTRODUCTION
The City of Miami Beach will construct 12 artificial reefs of three differing materials in
1998. This is a proposal from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) to monitor some of
the physical and biological attributes of the three types of reefs.
Four artificial reefs will be constructed of lime-rock boulders, four will be constructed of
tetrahedron modules composed of a standard gravel-concrete aggregate and four will
be constructed of tetrahedrons of a tire-chip-concrete aggregate. Four replicates of
each reef type were selected as a compromise between the potentially high number
required to assure statistical validity in the highly variable marine environment and a
sufficiently low number to be economically feasible yet yield reliable results at a
practical level. The reefs will be placed in a permitted site off Miami Beach in
approximately 15 ft of water. The individual reefs will be placed 100 yards from each
other and the nearest hard bottom to reduce interactive influences among adjacent
populations.
,.
The lime-rock reefs will be constructed of 4 ton boulders (approximately 3.5 ft in
diameter) arranged in two layers with 16 boulders in the bottom layer and 9 in the top
layer. The boulders will be individually placed by crane to achieve maximum, covered
void-space. The concrete reefs will be constructed of preformed tetrahedron modules.
The tetrahedron (a four-sided shape, each side with three apexes ) modules were
selected for this study because: 1) they have been shown to establish a complex
biological assemblage; 2) they are extremely stable in a stacked configuration and 3)
they are easily deployed. A mix of 25 small (5 ft/side) and 25 large (6 ft/side) modules
will be utilized in each reef. The mix of sizes assures complex interstices and void
space. The modules will be allowed to stack as they fall from the barge rather than
being individually placed. After deployment, divers will use lift-bags to rearrange the
modules to assure the height and footprints of the four concrete reefs are similar to the
lime-rock reefs.
Personnel from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) will monitor the reefs and test the
hypothesis: concrete-gravel tetrahedrons or concrete-tire tetrahedrons are equal to, or
better than, lime-rock boulders for artificial reef construction. Over a two-year period, we
will compare the biological assemblages that are associated with the reefs constructed
with lime..;rock to the assemblages of tetrahedron reefs constructed of gravel-concrete
aggregate and tire-chip-concrete aggregate. We will also monitor stability of the three
reef types over the same period. This information will be used to support or refute the
null hypothesis that there are no differences among the three materials for artificial
reef construction
EV ALUATION
The City of Miami Beach will build the 12 artificial reefs and provide slip space (two
nights per sampling period) for our research vessel. NSU will provide the research
vessel, required equipment, and personnel to accomplish the monitoring. The biological
assemblages on the reefs will be monitored by divers every two months for a two year
period. In addition, still photos of each reef will be taken after deployment and at one
year intervals and all reefs will be video taped every six months.
Evaluating the fish populations is straightforward. The fish assemblage will be
determined by divers, using scuba and slate. The species present, their life-stage, and
size will be recorded for each reef. This information will be used to determine any
species specific differences between the two types of reefs, as well as any differences
in assemblage diversity and biomass, by standard statistical methods.
The invertebrate assemblages will also be examined every two months. However
determinil'Jg the population size and in some cases even species identification of
invertebrates is problematic. Most animals will be counted on site, however, many
invertebrates are difficult to identify outside the laboratory. Therefore, some collection
will be required. Experience has shown us that the rapid succession of populations on
new artificial reefs makes the validity of population counts questionable. Further, many
species are cryptic or grow in the interstices of the reef modules. likewise, a number of
species bore into the substrate. A realistic census would require disassembling the
entire reef at each census. Obviously this is not a viable solution. Instead, our survey
will be mainly qualitative (rather then quantitative). We will determine the species
associated with each reef type. Only if it becomes apparent that a particular species
widely predominates on one reef type will we attempt a census of that (those) species.
We will photograph (35 mm stills) each reef from specified distances and angles
(seven yard, four compass headings). Permanent anchors will be hammered into the
substrate to ensure the same angles for future photographs. Still photos will be taken
annually and at the request of the City of Miami Beach after storm activity. These
photos will form a baseline series from which to determine stability of the three reef
types.
Results from the monitoring will allow us to compare the biological assemblages
associated with each reef to support or refute our null hypothesis that there is no
difference in the biological communities associated with lime-rock or concrete
tetrahedron reefs. The results will be compiled in three semi-annual and one final
report. The final results will also be submitted to a scientific journal for publication
Deliverables consist of three semi-annual data reports and one final report with full
data analysis and interpretation as well as copies of all video tapes and still
photographs.
BUDGET
Monitoring periods (12) ---------------------------------------------- $ 24,000
Semi-annual reports (3) ----------------------------------------------- 3,000
Final report (1) ------------------------------------------------------------ 4,000
Consu Itant ( 5 days) ------------------------------------------------------- 4,000
Total -------------------------------- $ 35,000
This budget includes all necessary equipment, personnel and transportation costs.
It also includes two optional monitoring visits, after severe storm events, on request.
,.
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH FLORIDA 33139
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM NO. 3RY-98
TO:
Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and
Members of the City Co mission
DATE: June17,1998
FROM:
Sergio Rodriguez
City Manager
,.
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT IN THE
AMOUNT OF $35,000 TO NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY, FOR THE
PERFORMANCE OF A BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH STUDY OF THE TWELVE
ARTIFICIAL REEFS THAT ARE BEING CONSTRUCTED OFFSHORE OF
SOUTH POINTE PARK, PURSUANT TO THE ARTIFICIAL REEF GRANTS
AWARDED TO THE CITY BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AL PROTECTION AND THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
DEP ARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
SUBJECT:
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolution.
FUNDING:
$35.000
Funds are available in Special Projects Account No. 199.6915.000343.
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The City was awarded two grants under the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office of
Fisheries Management and Assistance Services' (FDEP-OFMAS) Artificial Reef Construction Grant
Program. The grants were accepted and appropriated by the Mayor and City Commission on November
1, 1995 and September 25, 1996, respectively. An additional grant from the Miami-Dade County
Department of Environmental Resources Management was accepted and appropriated by the Mayor and
City Commission on January 22, 1997.
The grants provide for the construction of twelve artificial reefs, about 200 yards off-shore of the South
Pointe Park, and a research study of the new reefs.
AGENDA ITEM DY
DATE l-- \l-:4~
On March 18, 1998, the City Commission authorized the award of a contract to Marin & Marin
Construction, Inc. for the construction of the artificial reefs. The reef construction is now underway and
the work should be completed by the end of June, 1998. The reefs will be built with three types of
material; coral boulders, tetrahedron shaped concrete modules and tetrahedron modules made from a
concrete and tire chip mixture.
As part of the reef grant program, a team of scientists from Nova Southeastern University will be
monitoring the reefs for a two year period following deployment. The researchers will examine the
structural stability of the reefs by measuring the dimensions of the reefs at scheduled intervals and after
severe storm events throughout the two-year test period. The objective is to determine whether the reef
structures are toppled by waves, sink into the ocean floor, or whether the individual modules break apart.
The researchers will also look for differences in the performance of the three different reef materials.
Biologists from the university will also be diving on the reefs, to conduct a census of the fish and
invertebrate populations that develop. The species present, their life-stage and size will be recorded. The
collected data will be used to determine if there are any differences between the populations or diversity
between the three reef types.
,.
The ultimate goal of the research study is to establish that waste concrete and tires can be recycled to
produce artificial reef modules that are structurally and biologically equivalent to, or better than, coral
boulders, at a substantially lower cost.
The project will provide valuable information which will be used to help develop artificial reef structures
that will help prevent beach erosion.
CONCLUSION
The City Commission should adopt the attached Resolution authorizing the award of a contract in the
amount of $35,000 to Nova Southeastern University, for the performance of a biological research study
of the twelve artificial reefs offshore of South Pointe Park.
S~~Plbdh
-'
C:\DA T A61IBRUCEICOMMINOV AUNIVCOM
SUBCONTRACT AGREEMENT
between the
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
and
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY, INC.
THIS SUBCONTRACT AGREEMENT (the "Subcontract"), with the following terms and conditions,
is made and entered into on July 1, 1998, by and between the City of Miami Beach, having its principal
place of business at 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139 and Nova Southeastern
University, Inc., on behalf of its Oceanographic Center, having its principal place of business at 8000
North Ocean Drive, Davie, Florida 33004 (hereinafter referred to as "NSU") for the delivery of services
identified as A Comparison of Lime-Rock Boulders and Concrete Modules for Artificial Reef
Construction. As used herein, "Subcontract" shall refer to this agreement and all its exhibits,
attachments, and incorporations. "Prime Award" shall refer to the grant from the Florida Department
of Environmental Protection Office of Fisheries Management and Assistance Services' (FDEP-OFMAS)
to the City of Miami Beach for support of the City's Artificial Reef Construction Grant Program. The
prime award is attached hereto as Exhibit A, and incorporated herein by reference.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach requests that NSU's Oceanographic Center perform
certain services under the Prime Award and NSU's Oceanographic Center wishes to perform such
serVIces.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants contained herein, and for other good
and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties
agree as follows:
ARTICLE I.
STATEMENT OF WORK/SERVICES TO BE RENDERED
NSU's Oceanographic Center covenants and agrees to furnish the necessary personnel, facilities, data,
and materials to perform a biological research study of the twelve artificial reefs that are being
constructed offshore of South Pointe Park as described in the proposal and scope of work (SOW)
attached hereto as Exhibit "B" and made a part hereof for the benefit of the City of Miami Beach. Any
change in the scope of work requires the express written approval ofthe City of Miami Beach and NSU.
ARTICLE II. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE
NSU's Oceanographic Center shall perform all services required of it under this Subcontract between
the period from July 1, 1998 through June 30, 2000 unless this Subcontract is further extended by
amendment of the Subcontract, which shall be by written consent of both parties.
ARTICLE III. COMPENSATION
Total compensation to NSU's Oceanographic Center under this Subcontract for the period of
performance will be $35,000 unless amended by mutual consent and in writing by both parties.
ARTICLE IV. INVOICING
NSU's Oceanographic Center shall invoice the City of Miami Beach for services provided under this
Subcontract not to exceed $35,000. NSU shall submit invoices along with required reports to the City
of Miami Beach in order to receive payment for services on a quarterly basis and in four equal
installments. NSU shall bill the City of Miami Beach on a quarterly basis for payment of expenditures,
and with respect thereto, shall submit documentation for such expenditures. Payment shall be made by
the City of Miami Beach to NSU upon receipt of such invoices and within 30 days of submission of each
invoice. Invoices must include and reference the project title, the City of Miami Beach's Special Projects
Account Number 199.6915.000343 and be submitted in triplicate to:
City of Miami Beach
1700 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
The final invoice shall be marked "FINAL" and submitted to the City of Miami Beach within sixty (60)
days of the termination of this Subcontract.
ARTICLE V. REPORTS AND DELlVERABLES
NSU's Oceanographic Center is required to keep accurate records of data collected throughout the
project period so that the progress of the services provided may be readily evaluated at any time. NSU
project personnel will complete required and appropriate progress reports as well as a final narrative
report at completion ofthe project period for the City of Miami Beach to provide to the prime awarding
agency, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
ARTICLE VI. ADMINISTRATIVE REPRESENTATIVES AND PROJECT DIRECTORS
Project Administrator for the City of Miami Beach: Bruce Henderson
City of Miami Beach
1700 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
(305) 673-7273
Principal Investigator for NSU Oceanography: Dr. Richard Spieler
Oceanographic Center
Nova Southeastern University, Inc.
8000 North Ocean Drive
Davie, FL 33004
(954) 920-1909
Authorized Representative for NSU: Barbara Sterry
Director, Office of Grants and Contracts
Nova Southeastern University, Inc.
3301 College Avenue
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33314
(954) 262-5365
2
ARTICLE VII. ASSIGNMENT
This Subcontract may not be assigned by NSU or the City of Miami Beach in whole or in part without
the prior written consent of the other party.
ARTICLE VIII. COMPLIANCE WITH SUBCONTRACT
NSU shall abide by and comply with all ofthe applicable terms and conditions as set forth in the Prime
A ward.
ARTICLE IX. AUDITS
NSU agrees to comply with the requirements ofOMB Circular A-l33 and further agrees to provide the
City of Miami Beach at its request copies of any of the independent auditor's reports which present
instances of non-compliance with federal laws and regulations and which bear directly on the
performance or administration of this Subcontract. In cases of such non-compliance, NSU will provide
copies of responses to auditor's reports and a plan for corrective action. All reports prepared in
accordance with the requirements of OMB Circular A-l33 shall be available for inspection by
representatives of the City of Miami Beach during normal business hours.
ARTICLE X. INSURANCE
NSU shall maintain commercial general liability insurance during the term of this Subcontract with
respect to all of its activities and the activities of its agents and employees concerning services to be
provided in connection with the Subcontract. Such insurance coverages shall be in an amount no less
than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence and no less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000)
annual aggregate. The City of Miami Beach shall be named as an additional insured. NSU shall provide
the City of Miami Beach with a certificate evidencing such insurance coverage prior to the time it starts
work pursuant to this Subcontract. The certificate of insurance shall contain a provision that the insurer
will endeavor to provide ten (10) days prior written notice of any cancellation or reduction. NSU shall
also pay all legally required worker's compensation insurance for its employees.
ARTICLE XI. INDEMNIFICATION
NSU agrees to indemnify and hold the City of Miami Beach harmless for any claims, actions, liabilities,
judgments, reasonable attorney fees, and court costs incurred by the City of Miami Beach resulting from
the negligence or other wrongful act or omission ofNSU, its agents, or employees in the performance
of this Subcontract. In the event of any action giving rise to indemnification claim under this provision.
NSU shall have the option of defending the City of Miami Beach with counsel reasonably satisfactory
to the City of Miami Beach. The City of Miami Beach shall immediately notify NSU of the institution
of any such claim or action.
ARTICLE XII.
RELATIONSHIP OF PARTIES
13.1 The parties agree that NSU is an independent service provider. The conduct and control of the
services rendered by NSU will lie solely with NSU. NSU is not an employee of the City of
Miami Beach for any purpose under this Subcontract, and NSU shall not be entitled to any ofthe
3
benefits that the City of Miami Beach provides to its employees. NSU shall be liable and
responsible to pay all local, state, and federal employment taxes, including, without limitation,
withholding, social security, worker's compensation, and unemployment insurance as required
by law.
13.2 Nothing in this Subcontract is intended to create, nor shall be construed to create, ajoint venture,
partnership, employer/employee, or agency relationship.
ARTICLE XIII.
TERMINATION OF SUBCONTRACT
In addition to any other remedies it may have, the City of Miami Beach may terminate this Subcontract
by written notice to NSU ifNSU fails to timely perform any of its obligations hereunder. Additionally,
should at any time the Prime Award be forfeited by the City of Miami Beach or canceled by the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection, this Subcontract will be terminated immediately and NSU
shall be remunerated for services performed to date.
ARTICLE XIV.
RECORDS
NSU shall retain all of its records concerning this Subcontract and the services performed hereunder
through 2001. NSU shall provide the City of Miami Beach with copies of any such records upon request
for the same.
ARTICLE XV.
LAW GOVERNING
This Subcontract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida.
ARTICLE XVI.
SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Subcontract is held to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent
jurisdiction, then the remaining provisions of this Subcontract shall be valid and enforceable to the
fullest extent permitted by law.
ARTICLE XVII.
ATTORNEY'S FEES
If either party institutes litigation with respect to this Subcontract, then the prevailing party shall be
entitled to collect from the non-prevailing party all reasonable attorney's fees and court costs incurred
by the prevailing party.
ARTICLE XIII.
STRICT ACCORDANCE
Failure of a party to insist upon strict compliance with any ofthe terms, covenants, or conditions ofthis
Subcontract shall not be deemed a waiver of such term, covenant, or condition, nor shall any waiver or
relinquishment of any right or power hereunder by a party, at any time or from time to time, be deemed
a waiver or relinquishment of such right or power at any other time or times.
4
ARTICLE IX.
NOTICE
Any notice required or permitted to be given hereunder to either party hereto shall be in writing and shall
be deemed given and received (I) when personally delivered with a receipt obtained, (ii) on the date
noted as received, refused, or uncollected if given by deposit with the United States Postal Service and
sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested, or (iii) the earlier of
receipt or two (2) business days after acceptance for delivery by a nationally recognized overnight
delivery service (e.g., Federal Express), to such party at its address as herein above set forth, or to such
other address as such party may designate by notice similarly given. Any notice to NSU shall be to the
attention of the authorized representative for NSU as listed in Article VI.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Subcontract as of the day and year
first written above.
Signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of:
0~'1Jk
:~~ of Miam1f1
Neisen Kasdin
Its: Mayor
Date:
.J~~;t-
;?-~ /1ytf
A KOVED AS TO
FOP.M & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
".~J
~~ Ci~ Clfk
JM.~ M~
~~
I A omey
;~r~
1lu,yIDL~
Witness
Nova Southeastern University. Inc.
1..;'6- Jj~
Witn ss
By: 1~~~
Its: Director, Office of Grants and Contracts
Date: eh, /9R
, I
5
EXHIBIT "B"
A COMPARISON OF LIME-ROCK BOULDERS
AND CONCRETE MODULES FOR ARTIFICIAL
REEF CONSTRUCTION
A Proposal Submitted to The City of Miami Beach by:
Nova Southeastern University
Submitted by:
Richard E. Spieler, Ph.D.
Nova Southeastern University
17 April 1998
INTRODUCTION
The City of Miami Beach will construct 12 artificial reefs of three differing materials in
1998. This is a proposal from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) to monitor some of
the physical and biological attributes of the three types of reefs.
Four artificial reefs will be constructed of lime-rock boulders, four will be constructed of
tetrahedron modules composed of a standard gravel-concrete aggregate and four will
be constructed of tetrahedrons of a tire-chip-concrete aggregate. Four replicates of
each reef type were selected as a compromise between the potentially high number
required to assure statistical validity in the highly variable marine environment and a
sufficiently low number to be economically feasible yet yield reliable results at a
practical level. The reefs will be placed in a permitted site off Miami Beach in
approximately 15 ft of water. The individual reefs will be placed 100 yards from each
other and the nearest hard bottom to reduce interactive influences among adjacent
populations.
The lime-rock reefs will be constructed of 4 ton boulders (approximately 3.5 ft in
diameter) arranged in two layers with 16 boulders in the bottom layer and 9 in the top
layer. The boulders will be individually placed by crane to achieve maximum, covered
void-space. The concrete reefs will be constructed of preformed tetrahedron modules.
The tetrahedron (a four-sided shape, each side with three apexes) modules were
selected for this study because: 1) they have been shown to establish a complex
biological assemblage; 2) they are extremely stable in a stacked configuration and 3)
they are easily deployed. A mix of 25 small (5 ft/side) and 25 large (6 ft/side) modules
will be utilized in each reef. The mix of sizes assures complex interstices and void
space. The modules will be allowed to stack as they fall from the barge rather than
being individually placed. After deployment, divers will use lift-bags to rearrange the
modules to assure the height and footprints of the four concrete reefs are similar to the
lime-rock reefs.
Personnel from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) will monitor the reefs and test the
hypothesis: concrete-gravel tetrahedrons or concrete-tire tetrahedrons are equal to, or
better than, lime-rock boulders for artificial reef construction. Over a two-year period, we
will compare the biological assemblages that are associated with the reefs constructed
with lime-rock to the assemblages of tetrahedron reefs constructed of gravel-concrete
aggregate and tire-chip-concrete aggregate. We will also monitor stability of the three
reef types over the same period. This information will be used to support or refute the
null hypothesis that there are no differences among the three materials for artificial
reef construction
EVALUATION
The City of Miami Beach will build the 12 artificial reefs and provide slip space (two
nights per sampling period) for our research vessel. NSU will provide the research
vessel, required equipment, and personnel to accomplish the monitoring. The biological
assemblages on the reefs will be monitored by divers every two months for a two year
period. In addition, still photos of each reef will be taken after deployment and at one
year intervals and all reefs will be video taped every six months.
Evaluating the fish populations is straightforward. The fish assemblage will be
determined by divers, using scuba and slate. The species present, their life-stage, and
size will be recorded for each reef. This information will be used to determine any
species specific differences between the two types of reefs, as well as any differences
in assemblage diversity and biomass, by standard statistical methods.
The invertebrate assemblages will also be examined every two months. However
determining the population size and in some cases even species identification of
invertebrates is problematic. Most animals will be counted on site, however, many
invertebrates are difficult to identify outside the laboratory. Therefore, some collection
will be required. Experience has shown us that the rapid succession of populations on
new artificial reefs makes the validity of population counts questionable. Further, many
species are cryptic or grow in the interstices of the reef modules. Likewise, a number of
species bore into the substrate. A realistic census would require disassembling the
entire reef at each census. Obviously this is not a viable solution. Instead, our survey
will be mainly qualitative (rather then quantitative). We will determine the species
associated with each reef type. Only if it becomes apparent that a particular species
widely predominates on one reef type will we attempt a census of that (those) species.
We will photograph (35 mm stills) each reef from specified distances and angles
(seven yard, four compass headings). Permanent anchors will be hammered into the
substrate to ensure the same angles for future photographs. Still photos will be taken
annually and at the request of the City of Miami Beach after storm activity. These
photos will form a baseline series from which to determine stability of the three reef
types.
Results from the monitoring will allow us to compare the biological assemblages
associated with each reef to support or refute our null hypothesis that there is no
difference in the biological communities associated with lime-rock or concrete
tetrahedron reefs. The results will be compiled in three semi-annual and one final
report. The final results will also be submitted to a scientific journal for publication
Deliverables consist of three semi-annual data reports and one final report with full
data analysis and interpretation as well as copies of all video tapes and still
photographs.