Biology of Shipwrecks in the Dominican Republic: How Submerged Cultural Resources Facilitate the Growth of Endangered and Threatened Coral Species

Summary

This is a poster submission presented at the 2023 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

Shipwreck sites have long been studied archaeologically to gain insight into past cultures, trade routes, and ways of life of the people on board. However, the intersection of archaeology and biology on shipwrecks can prove to be just as significant, as shipwrecks in tropical Caribbean waters facilitate the growth of corals through increased benthic rugosity. Reefs are one of the first ecosystems damaged by the effects of anthropogenic climate change. By identifying areas where corals appear to be more resilient to environmental change, management practices can prioritize sites that have a higher chance of survival. Two Living Museums in the Sea in Dominican Republic show the importance of artificial reefs, Captain Kidd’s 1699 Quedagh Merchant, and the Guadalupe Underwater Archaeological Preserve (GUAP). Surrounding both sites, colonies of critically endangered Acropora palmata (Elkhorn Coral) and threatened Dendrogyra cylindrus (Pillar Coral) are thriving, demonstrating importance of cultural resources to reef health.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2023   •
• 2023 SHA Poster Submissions

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Nicole Haddow